Head Start Special Needs Aide - Forest Grove

Hours:

Monday - Friday/Up to 29 Hours

The Special Needs Aide is responsible for the care, well-being, safety and education of a special needs’ child. The Special Needs Aide assists the Caregiver, Teacher and Teacher Assistant to create and manage an attractive, warm and challenging learning environment for children, incorporating appropriate early intervention, learning and care activities which meet the needs of the group as well as those of individual children and families.

Must possess the ability to read, speak and write with proficiency in English language. This is a safety sensitive position.

• Must be able to sit/stand in a stationary position 50% of the time, stoop, bend; walk, talk; hear, use hands to grip, type, reach with hands and arms, occasionally required to stand or walk on uneven surfaces, and climb stairs, run short distances, crawl on floor with children,
• Frequently must be able to move about inside the center to access classroom or office equipment, etc.
• Frequently must operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, computer and printer.
• Frequently must communicate with staff and others who have inquiries about the program.

Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.

• Occasionally must move/carry items weighing up to 30 pounds or more.
• Frequently must be able to lift at least 30 to 40 pounds and lift arms about shoulders, and spend time daily sitting on the floor with children.
• Constantly must visually monitor the behavior, learning, and activities of children.

Enclosed facility, classroom environment; floors may be vinyl tile or carpeted; may come into contact with childhood diseases and blood on occasion.

• Plan, formulate, coordinate and implement appropriated special needs activities in accordance with performance standards and LEA agreements.
• Work with parent volunteers in the center.
• Work in a team setting with all other staff to determine the needs of the children.
• Assist the Teacher in demonstrating to parents’ effective ways to reinforce the children's needs in the home.
• Attend IFSP/IEP meetings as required and help implement IFSP/IEP service plans. Attend all therapy sessions with the special needs’ child.
• Perform all duties in a safe manner.
• Work together with center staff in keeping the center clean and safe.
• Help the Teacher set up and maintain an appropriate classroom environment, including organization of space and material storage.
• Provide for diaper changing and toilet training functions in the classroom in a safe, sanitary and developmentally appropriate manner
• Help supervise field trips and recreational activities both in and out of the center and ensure correct child to staff ratio.
• Supervise activities assigned by the Teacher/Caregiver, such as playground, dining room and bathroom activities.
• Demonstrate verbally and by role modeling a sound knowledge of good teaching practices and of child growth and development. Children will not be punished and/or rewarded in association with rest or food.
• Assist the caregiver, teacher and teacher's aide in organizing the classroom according to developmental levels and individual needs of the child ensuring: the development of trust and emotional security; opportunities to explore a variety of sensory and motor experiences; opportunities for the development of self‑awareness, autonomy, and self‑expression; and opportunities for gross and fine motor development.
• Provide information to parents as instructed by teacher, regarding their children as well as general child development information.
• Involve parents in all aspects of the classroom; greet parents and children pleasantly and appropriately, ensuring a smooth transition into the center, a positive home‑center connection and a family partnership; maintain ongoing professional and appropriate communication with parents through a variety of methods and send activities home that parents can do with their children to support the curriculum and the child's learning;
  
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