Job Description

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet offers 43 paid days off per year, excellent medical benefits, and an employer-sponsored 403b plan that requires no contribution from employee. We prioritize your well-being and financial security.

Discover the unique rewards of working in a Head Start program, where you can ignite young minds and provide comprehensive early childhood education that sets the stage for lifelong success.

By joining Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet Head Start, you will make a lasting impact on children's lives and have the opportunity to support and uplift families by empowering them to thrive and create a brighter future for themselves and their children.

Apply now so we can make a lasting impact together!

General Responsibilities

1. Under the supervision of the Site Supervisor and assigned Teacher, the Assistant Teacher/Associate Teacher is responsible for adherence to the guidelines of the Department of Health and Human Services, Head Start Education Performance Standards, and for helping assure the quality of developmental experience received by the children.
2. Will be responsible for meeting the State of Illinois Day Care Licensing Standards.
3. Participates in an on-going training program to further develop skills in child development.
4. Work with the classroom teacher, content area managers and staff to ensure appropriate Performance Standards are being implemented in the classroom.
5. Participates in monthly reflective supervision with classroom teacher.

Essential Functions

1. Assists the teacher in maintaining a safe and healthy environment that follows the Head Start Performance Standards.
2. In collaboration with the classroom staff, implements the principles of the Creative Curriculum approach based on a child-centered curriculum that encourages decision-making, cultural awareness, and exploration. Children are provided with choices of learning center activities, large and small groups, and individualized activities.
3. Helps the teacher to prepare material to be used in the daily program.
4. Co-facilitate meal service and promote appropriate social discussions and self-help skills.
5. Helps ensure that all documentation and individualization takes place in a timely manner.
6. Assist the Teachers with documenting classroom observations for the purpose of collecting data for child outcome assessments.
7. Assist Teacher in developing and implementing lesson plans.
8. Under the direction of the Teacher complete developmental and social emotional screenings.
9. Helps provide a balanced curriculum that encourages social and cultural awareness, exploration, predicting, and testing behaviors, choices of learning center activities, large and small groups, individualized activities, and language development.
10. Attends the activities of these groups to the best interest of the agency and program.
11. Have a generally positive approach to other people, to themselves, and to the world.
12. Helps plan activities and methods for keeping parents interested and engaged in their child’s development.
13. Participates in home visits and parent/teacher conferences.
14. Works cooperatively with teacher and family development team to maintain good parent engagement.
15. Works in cooperation and assistance with center staff to assist with food preparation and meal service for children following nutritional and health guidelines.

Great Employer Provided Benefits

• Time-off: 14 Holidays - 15 Vacation days - 14 Sick days
• Medical/Dental/Vision Health Insurances
• Flexible Spending Account
• Short-term Disability Insurance (employee paid optional)
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• 403B Retirement Plan with employer contributions
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Requirements

1. A high school diploma or equivalent for Teacher Assistant, or Associates of Arts Degree in Child Development with 36 or more hours of college credits in Child Development or related field for Associate Teacher. All degrees must come from a regionally accredited educational institution which has U.S. Department of Education approval.
2. Prior experience (volunteer or paid) working with children ages Birth – Five years old is preferred.
3. Must be a least nineteen (19) years old.
4. During the first year of employment, complete a minimum of six (6) college credit hours in Child Development, with a minimum of a "C" grade or better.
5. Obtain and maintain a minimum, the Illinois Gateway ECE Credential Level 1 or a CDA or the Illinois Gateway ECE Credential Level 3 within 2 years of employment.
6. Demonstrate the skill and competence to meet personnel qualifications as required in Part 407: Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers.
7. Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, and Teams.
8. Strong verbal and written communications skills.
9. Passage of complete background clearance, physical and Tuberculosis (TB) Test.
10. Reliable means of transportation and proof of liability insurance is required.