Terms of Employment: 10 months/ 183 days per year.  Salary is at Instructional Support Pay Grade IS3 on the EISD Compensation Plan.  Entry level rate of pay is $13.06/hour with additional consideration based upon directly related experience.

Primary Purpose:

Assist the Head Start teacher in the preparation and management of programmatic activities and administrative requirements in an Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) unit.

NOTE: Applicant must have satisfactory outcome of fingerprinting background check. Non-refundable fee (approximately $50.00) paid by the applicant, before continuing within the process towards possible employment. 

Qualifications:

Education/Certifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent recognized by the Texas Education Agency and 
• Associate degree or higher from an accredited college/university or
• Minimum of forty-eight (48) semester college hours from an accredited college or university or
• Passed the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) test or T.O.P. NCLB test / Region XX 

Head Start Performance Standards Requirements:

• Eligible to obtain a Paraprofessional certificate issued by the State Board of Educator Certification within thirty (30) days of employment

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Knowledge of working in early childhood settings
• Ability to work well with children with moderate to severe disabilities
• CPR/First Aid Certification preferred
• Lifting/Restraint Training preferred

Minimum Experience:

• Experience working with special needs children (preferred)

HEAD START Performance Standards specifically the HEAD START Act 648A states that teaching assistants nationwide in center based programs must have:

1. at least a child development associate (CDA) credential;
2. enrolled in a program leading an associate or baccalaureate degree; or
3. enrolled in a child development associate (CDA) credential program to be completed by no later than 1 year from employment.

According to Performance Standard 1304.52(j)(1):

Each staff member must have an initial health examination (that includes screening for tuberculosis) and a periodic re-examination (as recommended by their health care provider or as mandated by State, Tribal, or local laws) so as to assure that they do not, because of communicable diseases, pose a significant risk to the health or safety of others in the Early Head Start or Head Start Program that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable accommodation. This requirement is implemented consistent with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.                                 

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Support the needs of the ECSE unit
2. Implement the early childhood curriculum under the supervision of the ECSE / Head Start teacher
3. Work with the teacher in planning and providing individual or group assistance to
4. students through utilization of a variety of methods of instruction and learning experiences
5. Assist the special education teacher in preparing instructional material
6. Assist in the collection of student evaluation data as necessary for the comprehensive assessment of
7. students, tracking student achievement and educational planning
8. Confer with the special education teacher regarding pupil progress and/or problems
9. Assist the special education teacher in keeping administrative records and preparing required reports
10. Assist in maintaining a pleasant learning environment and order within the classroom
11. Gain and/or maintain knowledge of various adaptive equipment and assistive devices
12. Maintain complete confidentiality of all individual student information/records
13. Follow individualized student programs as directed by special education teacher
14. Follow classroom emergency procedures as established by special education teacher
15. Maintain privacy of students when involved in dressing/undressing activities
16. Handle, clean, and store all special equipment as specified by the special education teacher or therapist
17. Perform or assist with medical procedures for which specifically trained by a physician, i.e., suctioning, tube feeding, clean intermittent catheterization, etc., as directed by a special education teacher
18. Assist with lifting, handling, feeding, changing, toileting, and other needs specific to the special population
19. Assist in behavior management, including crisis intervention and restraint procedures, as directed by the
20. special education teacher
21. Assist in monitoring Special Education students provided district transportation, including arrival and departure of buses, student behavior on buses, etc.
22. Other special education duties as assigned by the teacher and/or principal

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Maintain emotional control under stress
• Moderate standing, stooping, bending and lifting.