Teacher Assistant​/Food Worker

Teacher Assistant / Food Worker

Reports to: Site Director, Early Childhood Center

The Puerto Rican Action Board (PRAB) is a comprehensive human services organization based in Middlesex County, New Jersey. We are the primary institution that provides diverse bilingual/multicultural services to the entire Central New Jersey community. Each year, we serve approximately 25,000 people in the region. Our mission is to equip diverse individuals and families in Central New Jersey to achieve personal, family, and community development.

Through our innovative early childhood, youth, family, and community programs, individuals and families access the tools and resources they need to grow into productive, self‑sufficient people.

Supports the Class Environment

• Creates an environment of trust and respect
• Understands strategies to assist in the inclusion of students in various settings
• Uses strategies to promote student independence
• Effectively employs a variety of strategies that reinforce positive behavior.
• Assists with the health, safety, and welfare of students in the classroom
  • Completes daily Meal Count and Attendance Record for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

Delivery of Services / Accommodations (instruction)

• Employs constructive communication strategies and approaches in working with students, staff, and the greater school community
• Uses questioning and discussion
• Engages students in learning

Planning and Preparation

• Demonstrates knowledge of content
• Demonstrates knowledge of students
• Understand instructional goals
• Plans and prepares for coherent instruction with supervision

Food Program

• Prepares and serves nutritionally balanced breakfasts, lunches, and afternoon snacks
• Ensures the proper distribution and delivery of all student meals to the classrooms
• Ensures that all families complete CACFP Eligibility Application for each child prior child's start date
• Keeps running log of all applications and children's eligibility status
• Receives and signs off on food delivery
• Ensures that all invoices reflect on delivered items
• Sends all invoices to PRAB Fiscal Department on a weekly basis (every Friday)
• Keeps record of students' allergy information and ensure center's compliance regarding medical information, communication with the site director and teacher, and delivering the food to classroom
• Keeps inventory of food items and other food related supply items for the center
• Completes the monthly Meal Count Report
• Completes the monthly Attendance Count Report
• Cross references attendance records with meal count records for the monthly CACFP report
• Completes and submits CACFP voucher to the PRAB main office by the required deadline

Health and Safety

• Establishes and maintains a safe and healthy environment
• Organizes and manages the center's kitchen
• Opens and closes assigned building (based on site director's assignment)
• Ensures the proper sanitary preparation of food and upkeep of proper storage methods utilized daily in the kitchen
• Ensures the proper upkeep and sanitary conditions of the kitchen facility, utensils, and appliances, including daily/weekly cleaning of all appliances, storage spaces and utensils in addition to the proper use of sanitary food handling techniques

General

• Follow NJ state requirement as per NJ Department of Children and Families, Office of Licensing, Chapter 122 Manual of Requirement for child care centers
• Follow Center policy for the discipline and care of students in accordance with the DCF, Office of Licensing and PRAB manual & procedures
• Ensures compliance with PRAB rules, regulations, and procedures accordance with PRAB Employee Handbook
• Understands and follows the center's Crisis Management Plan and Procedures
• Attends training on food preparation and storage to utilize such techniques on a daily basis
• Attends staff meetings as well as other required meetings
• Performs other duties as assigned by Site Director or Senior Director of Early Childhood Programs

• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education or related field or New Jersey Paraprofessional Certificated preferred; high school diploma/GED required

• Two…