Caregiver
Reports to: PSJA Early Start Director	Department: Early Start Dept.	Pay Grade Min $10.56 hrly	Funding Source: Grant

 

Qualifications

 

Primary Purpose:  
Under the direction of the Child Development Advocate, Caregivers assist with the planning,organizing, and implementation of education services for children, in addition to full-time classroom teacher duties which include developing and implementing individual child development plans for children.                

 

Education/Certification:   

Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or advanced degree andcoursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education; or Bachelor’s Degree in Early Care/Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or degreewith coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education; or An Associate Degree in a related field, Family & Child Studies, Elementary Education, withcoursework equivalent to a major relating in early childhood education; or

An Infant/Toddler CDA or State equivalent credential.

 

Special Knowledge/Skills:    

Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Proficient in computer skills.

 

Additional Requirements Required After Hire:

Must obtain First Aid and CPR certification.

Must complete an Employee Wellness Appraisal.

Must complete a Tuberculosis screening test.

 

Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board of Trustees may find appropriate and acceptable

 

PSJA Leadership Skills and Expectations

 

In PSJA ISD, we hire individuals who are expected to embody the Spirit of PSJA and demonstrate these characteristics as they lead others. 

Positive Engagement Welcomes staff, students, parents, and community as honored members at the district table

Builds relationships – Builds positive, trusting relationships through frequent interactions which demonstrate care and interest in well- being of all stakeholders Exhibits professionalism– Exhibits awareness and reflection to manage emotions and engage in continuous personal growth Models ethics – Exemplifies the values and priorities of the district through consistent actions and service to stakeholders Communicates effectively- Maintains open lines of two-way communication with staff, students, parents, and community to receive input and provide information for engagement with district vision

Student-centered Excellence Holds vision and expectations for success for all students and all staff

Demonstrates expertise – Possesses up-to-date knowledge and skills to perform organizational role at a high level of competence Establishes shared vision – Articulates the school’s mission to the community and solicits support in making that mission become a reality Implements plans- Works with all stakeholders to implement vision by establishing goal, monitoring progress, and providing resources Expects results – Pursues exceptional results for all students by holding self and others accountable and driving for continous improvement

Joint Empowerment Develops and empowers individuals and teams for effective action

Promotes collaboration – Designs organizational structures to promote collaboration and teamwork for distributed leadership throughout the district Inspires Action – Motivates others to take responsible risks and perform at their highest level to support district vision and goals Builds capacity – Provides opportunities for growth to ensure all staff build capacity to support district goals Develops leaders – Identifies, develops, and places future leaders through rigorous processes and strategic leadership assignments

Adaptive Innovation Maintains district at the forefront of educational service providers

Scans Environment – Analyzes and applies understanding of internal organization and external environment to assess and respond to the district’s future advancement Manages change – Demonstrates courage, initiative, and perseverance in bringing about meaningful change to support the shared vision Champions solutions – Challenges the status quo by collaboratively exploring new and better ways of doing things Acknowledges outcomes – Creates a positive environment for growth by celebrating success and learning from failure

Technical Skills, Responsibilities, and Duties 

 

In PSJA ISD, we hire individuals who demonstrate excellence in these technical areas as they lead others. Major Responsibilities and Duties

• Implements developmentally appropriate curricula in the classroom that meets the individual children's needs.  
• Performs the functions of this position with a strong understanding of the Head StartPerformance Standards and Texas Child Care Licensing Minimum Standards. 
• Actively participates in age appropriate interactions and classroom activities such as, but notlimited to, free play, and floor time.
• Participates in daily routines including, but not limited to, diaper changing, formulapreparation, infant feeding, potty training, and hand washing.
• Follows procedures on the release of children and ensures that children are only released toparents or authorized persons. 
• Supports the social emotional development of all children in the classroom and of the campus. 
• Maintains supervision of all children and remains in child/staff ratio at all times inaccordance with Head Start Performance Standards. 
• Conducts home visits and parent conferences to discuss the child's individual developmentand progress. Assists the parents in developing developmentally appropriate goals for their child. 
• Conducts home visits and parent conferences to discuss the child's individual developmentand Assists the parents in developing developmentally appropriate goals for their child.
• Eats with and assists children in development of social emotional, self-help skills, and soundnutritional practices (family meal style).
• Administers educational screenings/assessments and refers children with potential high risk of health, disabilities, or behavioral Meets with required personnel to exchangeinformation pertinent to the identification and services of children with disabilities.
• Participates in Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) meetings with early intervention staffand families as appropriate.
• Implements children's IFSP (Individual Family Service Plan) as needed. 
• Works with other Caregivers and Lead Teachers to share and develop skills and abilities inplanning and implementing classroom activities.
• Works in partnership with Family Service Coordinators to encourage the involvement of parents and supports the development of the relationships between children and their families. 
• Maintains a safe and healthy classroom environment as required by federal, state, and local regulations.
• Assures that classroom equipment, furniture, materials, and supplies are properly maintained, sanitized and stored.
• Assures that the playground is safe before child use and uses the playground as an extension of the classroom.
• Implements Emergency Preparedness Plans in accordance with procedures and participates in all emergency drills and safety activities.
• Conducts and maintains the daily health check, first aid checklist, cleaning schedule,classroom checklist, and daily sign in/out log.
• Assists with recruitment of parents and other community volunteers and provides them with guidance as needed.
• Assists in recruitment of children including children with disabilities.
• Maintains on-going communication with parents and guardians to promote parent
• Completes and submits required forms and records in a timely and accurate fashion, (e.g.lesson plans, time sheets, ADA etc.)
• Creates lesson plans in accordance with the development of the children in the classroom. 
• Identifies materials and equipment needed in classrooms and playgrounds, and coordinateswith Lead Teacher in requesting materials. 
• Works in collaboration with Family Service Coordinator, Center Manager, and other campusstaff in the transition of children to Head Start and/or child care programs and maintains documentation in the child’s file. 
• Assures that child files are complete, accurate, and maintained current.
• Maintains all required CACFP classroom documentation.  
• Maintains confidentiality of all children’s personal information.  
• Assists the EHSC with generating in-kind.
• Attends professional workshops and meetings at the discretion of supervisor. 
• Attends staff trainings, meetings, and parent meetings as requested.
• Attends pre-service and monthly in-service training sessions as needed. 
• Abides by all safety work rules to ensure the safety of self and others. 
• Other related roles and responsibilities as assigned by their supervisor.  

 Mental and Physical Demands / Environmental Factors:

• Tools/Equipment Used:
• Personal computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment
• Posture:
• Prolonged sitting; frequent standing, kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting
• Motion:
• Frequent walking
• Lifting:
• Regular light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds); Occasional heavy lifting (45 pounds and over); may be required to lift and transfer students to and from wheelchair or assist with positioning of students with disabilities
• Environment:
• Work inside, may work outside; regular districtwide travel to student homes
• Mental Demands:
• Maintain emotional control under stress; may work prolonged or irregular hours

 

This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

 

 It is the policy of the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD not to discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race, color, religion, national origin or age.