Teacher Assistant

TELAMON-TRC COMMITMENT TO TRAUMA INFORMED CARE:

Telamon-TRC has taken steps to shift our organization into a Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) model. This changes our perceptions about the individuals that we work with, employees and customers, including families and children. A trauma-informed system of care provides services that empower employees and customers, including families and children, to feel safe, welcomed and engaged at all levels of organizational interaction. Exchanges that could be potentially retraumatizing, or trigger traumatic reactions require thoughtfulness and non-judgement. Ongoing, as an organization, we collaborate to educate employees about the effects of violence, victimization and trauma on individuals. This model supports a culture of safety for employees and customers, including families and children.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Assist in the instruction of preschool-aged children in activities designed to promote social-emotional, physical, and cognitive growth.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. With the Teacher, guides and facilitates activities of the children including classroom projects and field trips.

2. Selects and sets up equipment and materials in the classroom.

3. Provides a safe and healthy developmentally appropriate learning environment. Interacts with children one-on-one and in small groups.

4. Protects the safety of children by implementing active supervision techniques to ensure no child is left alone or unsupervised at any time.

5. Assists in the development of weekly activity plans and program activities.

6. Uses creativity to provide healthy and safe activities that are developmentally and age appropriate.

7. Assists the Teacher in record keeping. Conducts and documents observations, assessments and screenings.

8. Composes and proofreads correspondence and reports.

9. Participates in parent conferences to discuss the child's individual development and progress.

10. Eats with and assists children in eating to teach social and self-help skills and sound nutritional practices.

11. Assist children in health and personal habits, such as eating, resting, brushing teeth, and toilet habits.

12. Serves as a liaison between staff and parents. Engage parents in the education of their children including encouraging classroom involvement and home activities.

13. Maintains confidentiality regarding students.

14. May prepare meals and perform Bus Monitor duties.

15. Assist in the mobilization and documentation of matching-in-kind funds.

16. Fills in on a temporary basis when a staff member needs to leave the classroom for a short duration.

17. Participates in staff meetings, committees and training sessions.

18. Works in cooperation with supervisor to develop and document progress on professional development plan. Actively engages in professional development activities to increase qualifications in accordance with Corporation's Core Values.

19. Work may require the flexibility to stay until all children have left the program.

20. Keeps classroom clean and organized.

21. May translate.

22. Perform all other duties as assigned by supervisor.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position has no direct supervisory duties but is expected to train or explain work procedures to others.

ROLE QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience Requirements:

Job Code 520 / Grade E2A

• Grade is not applicable to Wake 3 Program

• High school or GED.

• If no pre-school CDA credential, must enroll in a pre-school CDA credential program upon hire to be completed within 2 years of hire.

Preferred:

• Hold a pre-school CDA credential or state-awarded certificate that meets/exceeds the requirements for a pre-school CDA credential.

• Enrolled in program that will lead to an associate or baccalaureate degree in ECE or related field to be completed within 2 years of hire.

• At least 2 years of experience working with preschool children preferred.

Job Code 524 / Grade E2B

• Permitted grade for Wake 3 Program

• Associate's degree in child development or early childhood or related field*

Job Code 571 / Grade E2C

• Permitted grade for Wake 3 Program

• Bachelor's degree in child development or early childhood education, or related field

All grades require completion of CPR/First Aid within a month of hire.

All grades must have a willingness to work towards any additional credentials needed to move to the next level in the position, this may include continued education.

• State requirements may vary, individual must meet requirements for state in which they are employed.

• Degree in a related field is defined as an associate, baccalaureate, or advanced degree in a field other than child development or early childhood education that either includes or is supplemented by twelve (12) college credits in child development, early childhood, or equivalent coursework focusing on children birth to age five. At least 3 of those credits must be in an infant toddler or preschool focused foundations course in child development.

Skills and Abilities:

• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Work is performed mostly inside the facility.

• Sitting, walking, stooping, squatting, lifting (up to 30lbs), carrying, pushing and climbing.

• Riding in a bus for prolong periods of time with noise and vibration.

• Moving through the Center and classrooms. Ability to respond to quickly changing situations in a safe manner.

• Frequent exposure to adverse weather conditions.

• Exposure to blood, other bodily fluids, cleaning chemicals and dirt.

• Must have a willingness to work towards any additional credentials needed to move to the next level in the position, this may include continued education.

• Regular attendance for this position is required, as regular attendance ensures we are providing the services we have committed to provide to the children and families we serve.

Background Checks:

• All employees are subject to both a pre-hire and an annual background check. Specific rules by Area of Focus will indicate whether a state or federal fingerprint background check (or both) is required and the frequency. A fingerprint background check may suffice for a regular background check. Additional background checks may be required such as the Child Abuse and Neglect State Registry, and the Sex Offender Registry.

Positions that Require Driving:

• Telamon Corporation / TRC employees that are required to drive a personal vehicle for work-related duties are to meet the auto insurance liability requirement. The minimum limits required are $100,000 each person bodily injury, $300,000 each accident bodily injury and $50,000 property damage. The insurance liability requirement covers use of an employee's personal vehicle.

• Telamon Corporation/TRC employees that drive a company-owned/rental vehicle must maintain a satisfactory annual motor vehicle record check.

• Must have own transportation, a valid driver's license, and vehicle insurance.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by an employee assigned to the role. It does not imply that these are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to the job. The employee may be required to perform other duties as requested by the Supervisor/Director. All requirements are subject to change over time.

I acknowledge that this job description is neither an employment contract nor a legal document and does not alter the employment at-will status. I have received, read, and understand the expectations for the successful performance of this job.

Exempt : No

Type : Regular Full Time Non Exempt

Area of Focus : ECFS

Location : NC100