Assistant Early Childhood Educator

Fort Valley State University, the only 1890 land-grant university in Georgia, is a comprehensive institution that provides an education to over 2,800 students including graduate students. The university is located in the town of Fort Valley in Peach County, the original site of the state's peach industry. Its 1,365-acre (5.52 km2) campus is Georgia's second-largest public university in area.

Fort Valley State University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or marital or veteran status.

JOB SUMMARY

In conjunction with the HS Early Childhood Educator, provides a successful, safe, and supervised setting for preschool age children while they are in a healthy learning environment for Head Start children. Develop individual goals for children, provide on-going assessments to track progress and facilitate transition out of Head Start to Pre-K or Kindergarten.

MAJOR DUTIES

• Under general supervision, applicant must be able to maintain a developmentally appropriate classroom setting, confident files on all children, correspond and work with parents.
• Possess and demonstrate a strong working knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards and other regulations.
• Assist with the development and implementation of the curriculum, which reflects mandated elements and components, parental and cultural influences, and promote the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of Head Start children.
• Assure classroom operates within the guidelines and standards of the Fort Valley State University Head Start policies and procedures as well as the Head Start Program Performance Standards.
• Create weekly/monthly lesson plans addressing individual goals for children. Provide a comprehensive safe and healthy learning environment for the children.
• Supervise and monitor children at all times.
• Ensures compliance with state law regarding the mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect.
• Maintains confidentiality and exercises good judgment concerning confidential information.
• Follow a consistent schedule, which includes small and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, skill development, meals, and effective transitions between activities.
• Responsible for education requirements of children in assigned classroom, including all required daily health checks, screenings and ongoing child assessment data related to the identified school readiness goals. Assess children, document behavior, and evaluate results.
• Complete and submit required forms and records in a timely and accurate manner, e.g., lesson plans, COR, Child Plus. and meal reports etc.
• Responsible for meal implementation with other staff and for maintaining a developmentally appropriate classroom environment, including organization of space and material storage.
• Use home visits and parent conferences to discuss the child's individual development and progress, assist the parents in developing observational skills and solicit parent observations.
• Must be willing to relocate to another center within the program whenever needed.
• Maintains regular job attendance and adherence to working hours.
• Displays a high level of effort and commitment to performing work; operates effectively within the organizational structure and be inclusive of children with special needs and disabilities.
• Maintains complete and accurate required family/child files, forms, and records within required timelines to document and track children in assigned classroom
• Assist in implementing children's I.E.P. (Individual Education Plan) seeking clarification regarding any aspects that are not well understood.
• Participates as a member of the annual program self-assessment.
• In consultation with supervisor, Curriculum Compliance Coach/Specialist and Director of Education, develops own professional work goals and training plan working towards required credentials according with the Head Start Program Performance Standards/Head Start Act.
• Input all required data such as screenings, home visits, parent teacher conferences, anecdotes into Child Plus and COR according to the timelines outlines on the quick reference guide and COR completion.
• Consistently maintains and promotes excellence in service through open and honest relationships with co-workers, clients, community members and other FVSU Head Start/Early Head Start staff.
• Consistently addresses clients, community members and co-workers in a courteous, pleasant and respectful manner.
• Operate effectively within the organizational structure and be inclusive of children with disabilities.
• Perform other duties as deemed necessary for the effective functioning of the program.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Must have own reliable transportation to travel to and from one of the centers located in Taylor, Macon, Dooly, Peach, and Crisp counties.
• Must be punctual and able to work Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p. m.
• Must be able to work indoors as well as transition the classroom to outdoors.
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases.
• Possible exposure to blood and bodily fluids or tissues.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical requirements of the job described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk or run quickly, kneel, or sit on the floor, lift approximately 50 pounds, sit in a child's size chair, and move quickly from multiple positions and levels; use hands and fingers handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. The employee must be able to occasionally lift 20 pounds overhead and 40 pounds from waist to shoulder. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distant and color visions, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of a CDA (Child Development Associate), TCC, ECE Diploma, state awarded certification or related area.
• Significant experience and alternative training in early childcare and development may be considered in lieu of degree.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate degree or higher in Infant & Child Development, Early Childhood Education or related area.
• Have knowledge and experience in the philosophy and practices of Head Start (or comparable child development programs), early childhood education, developmentally appropriate practice, and bilingual education
• Experience of working with children birth to five years of age
• Current CPR and First Aid certifications
• Maintain an annual physical and Tuberculosis vaccination.
• Good communication skills, flexibility and teamwork are required.
• Must successfully pass a drug screening and background check.