Teacher Aide

Job Summary: The Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) provides operations support services and business solutions to the community of 10,000 House Members, Officers and staff. The CAO organization comprises more than 800 technical and administrative staff working in a variety of areas, including information technology, finance, budget management, human resources, payroll, child care, food and vending, procurement, logistics and administrative counsel. The House of Representatives Child Care Center (HRCCC), has been providing full-day, year-round, quality childcare for children of the Members of Congress, staff, and House support personnel since 1987. Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the HRCCC is a developmentally based childcare program where staff work as partners with parents in the development of the whole child, including their physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development. Our mission is to provide exceptional quality care and developmentally appropriate learning experiences in a safe, nurturing, and diverse environment to support the children and families of the House Community. The incumbent serves as a Teacher Aide supporting Lead and Assistant Teachers in the day-to-day delivery of child care services in assigned classrooms; providing active supervision of assigned children at all times; ensuring that children’s physical, cognitive, and emotional needs are met; supporting with leave coverage: providing breaks for teaching staff; supporting in providing developmentally appropriate, child-centered curriculum and assessment; and establishing positive relationships with children and their parents. The position does not have supervisory or managerial responsibilities. Pay is commensurate with experience with a minimum annualized salary of $42,356. Primary Duties/Responsibilities: Maintains responsibility for the day-to-day delivery of child care services in assigned classroom; ensures quality and continuity of care at all times. Provides and coordinates care for children including changing diapers/toileting, feeding, and comforting; ensures all children’s physical, cognitive, and emotional needs are met. Serves as a leader in the classroom, House Child Care Center, and CAO team. Coordinates and oversees all aspects of classroom operation. Trains, coaches, and mentors staff; provides tools and resources. Maintains child to staff ratios; provides active supervision of children at all times. Utilizes universal precautions and brings to Directors’ attention any relevant information or issues concerning or related to staff, children, and/or families. Maintains awareness of all special health and dietary needs. Prioritizes health and safety; monitors and responds appropriately to illness, injury, and other emergency situations. Follows cleaning and sanitation guidelines. Leads efforts to promote awareness of healthy practices. Coordinates and oversees developmentally appropriate, child-centered curriculum and assessment planning, implementation, and documentation. Prepares for and holds Parent-Teacher Conferences, orientation meetings, and other parent meetings as needed. Supports children and families through transitions including enrollment and withdrawal, between classrooms, to and from home each day, and between activities throughout the day. Develops familiarity and maintains compliance with all applicable legal requirements including House, Committee, CAO, and House Child Care Center rules, practices, policies, and procedures. Treats all children, families, and staff with dignity and respect, allowing for individual differences. Establishes positive relationships with each child, family member, and coworker. Communicates effectively and professionally both orally and in writing; maintains confidentiality. Remains calm in challenging situations. Shows initiative towards the improvement of provided services by sharing ideas and participating in meetings. Models high quality work; demonstrates and promotes ongoing reflection and growth. Holds regular classroom team meetings and manages work-time schedules of team. Conducts daily child health and safety checks. Works with junior personnel to foster a positive learning environment for assigned classroom(s). Maintains up-to-date knowledge of early childhood development and learning principles and best practices; actively develops junior teaching staff. Maintains accurate records and logs in a timely and organized fashion and ensures that data confidentiality is maintained. Creates and updates classroom handbooks, child portfolios, and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Classroom Portfolio. Uses materials and resources effectively; informs administration of unusual problems and unanticipated constraints of resource requirements in a timely manner. Monitors usage and inventory levels of all supplies and materials; advises administrators of related needs and issues. Utilizes developmentally and situationally appropriate behavior management techniques. Seeks and attends ongoing professional development and demonstrates an attitude of continual growth. Participates in special limited term and long-term projects and initiatives; participates in after action reviews and provides feedback as appropriate. Appropriately addresses employee conflicts and disciplinary actions. Returns relevant items to designated storage areas and maintains organization throughout the classroom and House Child Care Center. Performs other official duties as assigned.