Head Start Substitute

Job Code:25-9042

Salary: $15.63 - $19.26

Status:  Per Diem Non-Exempt

Department: Education

Location: Early Learning Center

Reports To:  Head Start Supervisor

Telecommute: No

Fleet: No

Mandated Reporter: Yes

Background: PL 101-630 & OCFS

Summary: Under the general direction of the Head Start Supervisor, the Head Start Substitute is responsible for providing children with a safe, comfortable environment enriched with a variety of hands on, age-appropriate activities that meet best practice standards and enhance each child’s level of development.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following: 

• Mandated Reporter: Must become a mandated reporter prior to having contact with children in a job-related capacity and maintain that status throughout employment. This includes completing any necessary training and adhering to all reporting obligations as defined by applicable laws and tribal policies.
• Adhere to all policies, standards, and procedures as dictated by Tribal Personnel Policies, NYS OCFS Child Care Licensing Regulations, the ELC Behavior Management Plan, the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct, Head Start Program Performance Standards and all other applicable regulations pertaining to health, safety and sanitation.
• Assist Lead Teacher to implement curriculum, ensuring developmentally appropriate practices at all times.
• Effectively communicate information regarding development and learning, scheduling, duties, and all other relevant information with the Teacher, Teacher Assistant and/or administrative staff.
• Create and maintain an accurate and updated profile on the Aspire Registry. Participate in all professional development requirements and maintain an Individual Professional Development Portfolio.
• Monitor bus runs when needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: There are no supervisor requirements for this position.

Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Due to the sensitive nature of information obtained, must maintain strict confidentiality at all times.

• Knowledge of the Mohawk language and traditions is preferred.

Education and/or Experience: 

• A High School Diploma or GED is required.
• 6 months experience working in the Early Childhood field is PREFERRED. 

Performance Expectations:

• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Exhibit a friendly and courteous manner when dealing with our students, children, employees, fellow associates, parents and community members.
• Establish and maintain effective and healthy working relationships with others, including staff, family members and others who may be under distress or duress.
• Promote a positive image of the ELC through healthy relationships with the families and employees served by the program.
• Foster a climate of respect and integrity, communicate effectively with program staff, families and children.
• Be able to deal with crisis situations. Deal with hostile, aggressive persons or situations.
• Will assist in maintaining a safe workplace environment.
• Must not knowingly, carelessly, or reckless divulge any information or documentation which has to come to their attention as an employee of the Tribe and which it is the duty of the employee to keep confidential; or knowingly, carelessly, or recklessly divulges any information of a personal nature relation to fellow employees or clients.
• Assist in maintaining a safe working environment in the ELC.
• Promote a positive image of the ELC and foster a climate of respect and integrity.

Reasoning Ability: 

• Ability to implement regulations that govern programs for young children; acknowledging that all staff will cooperate to implement a program that far exceeds minimum regulations.
• Ability to recognize when to call the NYS OCFS Hotline in the event of an incident involving a parent, other staff member, or any other adult and a child under the care of the ELC.
• Ability to ensure that the rights and needs of children are the highest priority, while also recognizing the needs of other family members.
• To ensure the rights and needs of the children are the highest priority.
• To contribute to the ongoing review, evaluation and modification of services as needed by the community, families and children.
• To provide information about the services of the program to parents and the community.

The successful candidate must pass a drug test and criminal background check prior to employment.