Teacher Assistant (Child Development Center)

Job Description

Join The River! At Indian River State College, you’ll do more than just build a career—you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by supporting our students, staff, and faculty. Are you passionate about early childhood education and making a positive impact on young lives? We are looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic individual to join our team as a Child Development Center Teacher Assistant. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The essential job functions and responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to: Daily assistance in classroom and playground activities with infants, toddlers and preschool children. Ensure children are properly checked out of the CDC daily as well as properly close the facility. Consider and provide for the needs of the individual in relationship to their cultural and socioeconomic background, emotional or physical challenges and individual style and pace of learning. Respect the dignity and basic rights of each child. Follow all industry-practiced safety policies procedures with infants and toddler. Maintain a physical environment conducive to children’s growth and promote optimal program functioning. Work as a team with the lead-teacher or classroom specialist, implement assigned portion of the daily program of appropriate developmental experiences for the assigned classroom of young children. SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The specific duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to: Help children learn to adapt to and cope with real-life situations to develop appropriate habits in such activities as eating, dressing, napping and personal hygiene including assisting parents with toilet training, as needed. Assist with daily observations of the health of children, reporting conditions which require attention. Participate in staff meetings, training sessions, conferences, workshops and other career development and professional activities. Complete continuing education hours per State requirements each year. Assist in the assurance that equipment and materials are accessible, appropriate and in good condition. Assist with routine classroom related and other maintenance duties as required. Assist with the composition of the monthly classroom article for the center newsletter. Assist with public relation and other duties as assigned. Maintain a pleasant, comfortable atmosphere for children and parents. Responsible to assure children are properly checked out to the correct family. Responsible to implement emergency plan if a family fails to pick up a child by 5:30 pm. QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS: The qualifications and skill requirements for this position include: Child Development Associate (CDA) or the equivalent with two (2) years of proven work experience in the child care industry. Proven work experience documenting an in-depth knowledge of Early Childhood Teacher Techniques and Positive Classroom Management Techniques. Sound judgment. Excellent problem-solving abilities. Ability to handle individual members of the public well in difficult situations. Excellent decision-making skills. Applies “safety first” principle to work with children. Dynamic self-starter capable of communicating professionally in listening, verbal, writing and metacommunication. Ability to work well as a team member with students, faculty, parents and the Child Development Center Director. Ability to implement developmentally-appropriate curriculum in a classroom setting. Knowledge and experience working with young children. Knowledge of safety issues with children between the ages of three (3) months through four (4) years. Knowledge of child illnesses. Skills in patience, time management, remaining calm under pressure, and ability to be flexible within classroom routines. Preference shall be given to the following: One (1) year certificate in Child Development and Early Intervention. A.S. Degree in related field. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical requirements in the performance of this position include: Physical abilities and dexterity sufficient to stand for up to one hour, walk, sit, stoop, climb, crouch, kneel, crawl, and balance. High degree of flexibility and dexterity to include the ability to reach/stretch hands and arms. Ability to react and move quickly when toddlers are involved. Regularly lift and/or move up to 40 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 60 pounds. Auditory abilities sufficient to monitor, assess, and ensure toddler safety and care at all times. Visual abilities sufficient for observation of toddlers to include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust vision focus. Ability to tolerate diaper smells as well as complete the diapering process. As this position requires employees to work a portion of the day outside in temperatures ranging from 35 degrees F to 95 degrees F, a tolerance to heat and cold is also required. This description is intended to indicate typical kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as declaring every specific duty and responsibility of the particular position. This job description is not intended to be a contract for employment, and the employer reserves the right to make any necessary revisions to the job description at any time without notice. Classification Staff Supervisory No FLSA Exempt No Employment Type Temporary (Fixed Term) Compensation and Application Deadline Pay range starts at: $16.70/hour | All salary calculations start at the minimum salary and will be based on candidate's education and experience. | Open until filled.