Teacher Assistant

Would you like to work with children? Are you a current or former Head Start parent? We encourage you to apply! Cook Inlet Native Head Start is a non-profit corporation established solely to operate the Tribal Head Start program, providing early childhood education services as well as quality family-related services for the Native population in Anchorage, AK.

IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION AN APPLICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED.
JOB SUMMARY: Responsible for providing quality education of infant/toddlers and/or preschool aged children, with the goal of increasing the social competence and school readiness of children and to develop knowledge and pride in traditional Native culture and heritage.

This is a job progression designed to provide progressively more responsible and independent work experiences to employees as part of the overall assessment of their skill level and abilities. Promotion between job levels is based on performance on prior assignments, education attainment and the demonstrated ability to successfully manage more progressively responsible assignments.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Assists in the development and implementation of plans to enhance the education, health, social and emotional growth in children and families served and to provide opportunities for families to interact in positive ways, improve parenting skills, and empower themselves to create positive changes in their lives.
* Assesses the physical, emotional, intellectual, social and language needs of enrolled children with a variety of screening and observation tools.
* Develops a curriculum with supporting lesson plans that challenge, strengthen and meet the individual learning goals and developmental needs of enrolled children, in accordance with the guidelines of the CINHS Strong Foundations Cultural Curriculum.
* Utilizes a variety of teaching strategies to meet educational and developmental goals and the physical, emotional, social, cultural, cognitive and language needs of enrolled children.
* Utilizes appropriate discipline and guidance techniques such as redirection, acknowledgement of appropriate behavior, and setting acceptable limits.

2. Provides a healthy, safe and secure learning environment through the use of consistent limits, appropriate guidance techniques, and the development of an atmosphere of respect for children and adults.
* Encourages parental involvement.
* Provides training for parents and other staff through role modeling, discussions, and other means.

3. Functions as a member of Head Start/ Early Head Start team by participating in staff meetings, training, planning and problem solving sessions.

4. Visits each child's home twice per year in accordance with Head Start regulations and meets with parents/guardians to become familiar with the child's home environment.

5. Accurately completes all paperwork, including: home visit forms, parent/teacher conference forms, lesson plans, work sampling and transition forms.

NECESSARY SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

Teacher Assistant
*Must be familiar with Alaska Native/American Indian heritage and culture and must be able to serve and effectively communicate with the children and families enrolled in the CINHS program.
* Strong oral and written communication skills.
* Ability to work with diverse cultural groups and persons from both urban and rural settings.
* Ability to perform job with minimum direction and supervision.
* Ability to maintain quality safety and infection control standards.
* Basic computer skills.
* Ability to coordinate and lead individual and group learning activities.
* Ability to provide children with a variety of age-appropriate learning experiences in all areas of development including social/emotional, cognitive and language, and gross and fine motor skills.
* Ability to use positive strategies to prevent aggressive behavior and to deescalate volatile situations.
* Ability to assist in accurately preparing and maintaining reporting requirements in a timely fashion.
* Flexibility with respect to time and days able to work, as well as work tasks.
* Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

* High school graduate or G.E.D.
*Must, at a minimum, have a CDA credential or a state-awarded certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements for a
CDA credential, are enrolled in a program that will lead to an associate or baccalaureate degree or, are enrolled in a CDA credential program to be completed within two years of the time of hire.
* CPR/First Aid certification within six (6) months of hire.
* Food Handlers certification.
* Must successfully complete TB and hepatitis screening exams and any required vaccinations.
* Must be able to pass a criminal background check as required by state and federal law.

compensation: $17.80-29.46/hour (depending on Education Credential)
employment type: full-time
job title: Teacher Assistant
non-profit organization

Please email completed application for employment to jwilson@cinhs.net, or fax completed application for employment to 907-433-1641. Thank you.