Head Start: Department Assistant - Drager Early Education Center

Position Type:
Head Start

Date Posted:
6/10/2026

Location:
Drager Early Education Center

Closing Date:
Until Filled

DAYS/HOURS
Monday - Friday
40 hours/week
240 days/year

Start date:

July 1

BENEFITS
Eligible for two person insurance coverage

SALARY
$31,488/year

SUMMARY
Responsible for supporting a safe, nurturing, educational environment for program children and families. Embodies the Head Start mission statement, "Head Start promotes the school readiness of young children from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development", through research-based, high-quality comprehensive services.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
The Department Assistant reports to the Health & Nutrition Manager, or designee.

QUALIFICATIONS/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. The following is a list of qualifications for the position, any one of which may be waived by the Board in exercising its prerogative to determine qualifications.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Must have regular, reliable and punctual attendance.

Maintain a safe, clean, and healthy program environment.

Maintain program documentation, as assigned.

Work and communicate professionally and effectively as part of a team environment.

Must be organized and able to work with initiative in a fast paced and varied environment.

Deliver program supplies as needed to classrooms.

Organize and rotate program supplies as needed for all departments, including education, family engagement, health, and fiscal.

Data entry of program information as needed for all departments, including education, family engagement, health, and fiscal.

Provide main office support coverage and other duties as needed.

Attend meetings and program functions, as assigned.

Maintains positive relationships with staff, parents, program volunteers, and outside agencies.

Develops and maintains working relationships with peers to promote a positive work culture.

Participate in and provide support for the recruitment of eligible children and families to ensure continuous full enrollment.

Actively assist the program in reaching non-federal share/match (in kind) goals, in accordance with federal guidelines.

Maintains confidentiality.

Follows all Program, Board, and Policy Council policies, procedures, state laws and regulations, Head Start Performance Standards, CACFP, and Michigan Child Care Licensing rules.

Provides support to other positions as required.

Performs other duties as assigned by the Director or designee.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
None

REQUIRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High School Diploma, GED or equivalent

Experience in an office setting

Experience working in a dietary needs environment

Two years working with a diverse population

Experience and/or training working with young children

ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE EXPECTATIONS

Demonstrate the values and competencies of Professional Communication, Growth, Respect, Positive Relationships, and Accountability.

Maintain a motivated and positive attitude.

Support and inclusive work environment.

Ability to successfully collaborate and work as a member of an interdisciplinary team.

Actively seek professional and self-development.

Maintain an appropriate level of confidentiality in all areas dealing with sensitive, protected, and confidential information.

LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret program policies and procedures.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to apply basic mathematical concepts.

REASONING ABILITY
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES
Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory in specific field. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff and the community. Ability to…