POSITION SUMMARY: The Substitute will be responsible for classroom, meal service, dietary and/or and family educational activities to ensure a quality center based program for families. Duties vary according to the length of the assignment.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Education Substitute Duties:

• Be available to fill in for Early Head Start Teacher, Head Start Teacher Assistant, Extended Day Teacher Assistant, or Center Aide whenever needed.
• Cooperates with and follow through on suggestions/recommendations of managers, leaders and specialists to establish a quality comprehensive child/family program.
• Has a comprehensive understanding of the needs of the children in the classroom (health issues: asthma, allergies, seizures, hearing/vision, ) and makes appropriate accommodations to ensure child outcomes are achieved.
• Assists in providing developmentally appropriate activities to enhance physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of children in the classroom.
• Assists in introducing age appropriate materials to children, volunteers and Provides appropriate guidance to promote children’s physical growth. Assists in guiding children in developing basic concepts as prescribed in the education, nutrition, health, dental and mental health plans.
• Assists with classroom activities that include reading stories, preparing and delivering activities for/to the children, conducting/assisting with small and large group activities, alerting teacher to any problems or special information.
• Assists in maintaining a safe, clean, neat and orderly classroom/learning environment, including playground areas. Monitors and reports in writing, needed repair of damaged items. Maintains a safe and clean learning environment through cleaning/sanitizing classroom area including, work area, play area, materials, etc. Monitors play and working areas for broken and non-usable materials. Takes appropriate action to correct.

• Encourages language development of children by asking open ended questions. Promotes cultural and ethnic acceptance and experiences and positive self-concept and social skills. Encourages appropriate behavior. Provides and participates in learning experiences for children that allow children to solve problems, initiate activities, explore, question and gain mastery through learning by doing.
• While assisting in classroom, supervises children at all times; maintains child/staff ratios in accordance with policies and regulations. Reports child abuse and neglect in accordance with program policies and procedures.
• Participates and works as a team-player with all Early Learning Program staff, including but not limited to: teacher, co-workers, supervisor/management, the staff members/specialist in education, health, and family and community partnerships.
• Actively participates in center/classroom activities and parent/meetings activities as requested.
• Acts as an advocate and role model for Head Start Recruits children for the program.
• Attends and actively participates in training programs, staff meetings, and other meeting/trainings.
• Maintains confidentiality in all aspects of client, staff and agency information.
• Maintains effective working interaction with coworkers and outside contacts that will enhance the operation of the Head Start program.
• Organizes and prioritizes all assignments as directed.
• Participates in community activities that enhance Head Start/Early Head Start programs as directed.
• Actively participates in USDA training provided by Senior Health Services Supervisor.
• Participates in ongoing monitoring, Community Assessment and Self-Assessment and performs reasonable related functions.
• Participates in regular safety, storm and fire drills.
• Submits reports, documents, and files as directed.
• Uses and follows the policies/procedures of Head Start, federal, state and local regulations/laws, and federal regulations/laws including the Head Start Performance Standards, applicable transmittal notices, and other administrative orders/directions.
• Uses and follows the policies/procedures of You Thrive Florida, including but not limited to Personnel Policies, Occupational Health and Safety policies, payroll policies/practices, etc.

Center Aide Substitute Duties:

• Picks-up breakfast, lunch, and snack from meal provider, assures and documents safe food temperatures and delivers meals to Head Start center during USDA approved meal service times.
• Delivers meal containers to individual classrooms.
• Retrieves, scrapes, and rinses food containers; empties ice coolers; cleans sinks/cleaning area.
• Returns meal and milk containers to meal provider.
• Stores snacks as needed (refrigerates cold items, keeps room temperature items in a safe/sanitary location).
• Maintains appropriate levels of supplies in a clean and orderly manner on site. Delivers paper products, utensils, and supplies to classrooms as needed.
• Drives vehicle for pick-up and delivery of meals, supplies, and substitute meal items assuring all federal, state and local laws, regulations and departmental procedures are adhered to.
• Performs regular vehicle safety checks as required and submits documentation Assures that meal vehicle is in safe operating condition and is kept clean and adequately fueled.
• Maintains appropriate documentation required by USDA/Child Care Food Program (meal count, CCFP worksheets, and menu planner) and ensures quality of data and timelines for completion.
• Works in collaboration with providers and centers/classrooms staff when picking-up and delivering meals.
• Maintain communication with the education staff to alert staff to any problems or special information.

NON-ESSENTIAL/SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:

Performs any additional duties as directed or assigned by supervisor, management staff, program director or You Thrive Florida management staff. This description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position.

JOB STANDARDS:

Education: High School Diploma or equivalent. Must complete all required trainings as mandated by the current versions of the Department of Children and Families Child Care Facility Handbook, the Office of Early Learning School Readiness Program Health and Safety Standards Handbook and other training standards adopted by the Office of Early Learning. Must obtain/maintain CPR/First Aid certification within 90 days of hire. Will complete Head Start required annual training hours. To remain active as a Substitute for You Thrive Florida, the Substitute must work a minimum of 144 hours every half year. Half year is defined as July 1st through December 31st and January 1st through June 30th each year the Substitute is active. All Teams Day and Pre-Service hours are not inclusive to minimum hours worked. Failure to meet this requirement may result in you being removed from the active substitute roster.

Experience: No experience required.

Licenses & Certifications: Valid Florida driver’s license and be insurable by Company’s current insurance carrier. Subject to federal, state and local legal requirements/background checks.

CRITICAL SKILLS, ABILITIES, & EXPERTISE:

Physical Requirements: These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Talking, standing, sitting, squatting, kneeling, use of fingers, arms, hands, legs, walking, stretching/reaching, handling, grasping, climbing, bending at the waist, turning, balancing, pushing, pulling, use of depth perception, carrying and lifting (up to 65 lbs.), and driving are constant. Good eyesight (correctable) and hearing (correctable) are essential.

Equipment: Computer, facsimile, copy machine, calculator, multi-line phone and other small office and instructional equipment and vehicle.

Skills & Expertise: Knowledge of health/sanitation practices regarding meal service and food preparation/service. Ability to use and operate a personal computer. Ability to complete work with a high degree of accuracy. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing. Ability to keep accurate written records. Knowledge of organization methods. Ability to operate a vehicle/van safely. Ability to arrive to work daily and on time. Ability to work with limited direction. Ability to evaluate situations and make prompt decision. Ability to maintain You Thrive Florida, Head Start, child and parent confidentiality. Knowledge of classroom management techniques. Ability to work with children including those with special needs. Ability to be reliable, responsible and accountable to job requirements. Ability to establish effective working relationships with people, particularly supervisor and co-workers.

ENVIRONMENTAL JOB FACTORS:

Job Location: Primary location is the Head Start facilities in Hernando, Sumter and/or Volusia counties. Occasional travel to other counties.

Work Environment: While performing the responsibilities of the position, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the employee will encounter. Office environment and working alone and with others frequently. Working with office equipment is frequent. Occasionally outdoors and operates a vehicle.

About You Thrive Florida

You Thrive Florida is a mid-sized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to fostering thriving individuals, families, and communities through a holistic approach to service delivery. Its core funding comes from federal and state “pass-through” grants, while long-term sustainability is strengthened by the generous support of local donors, strategic partnerships, in-kind contributions, community fundraising, and dedicated volunteers.

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