Title: Program Aide
Service Area: Transportation
Reports to: Site Coordinator
Position Summary: Provide a safe, comfortable, and pleasant environment for Head Start children, parents, and volunteers during transport to and from centers and other transportation assignments. Provide service area assistance in the classroom, kitchen, building maintenance, and reception areas.
Essential Functions:
1. Work independently, communicate well, relate to children in a positive way, and maintain cooperative relationships with those you encounter.
2. Exhibit at all times appropriate role modeling through language, dress, hygiene, and expressing appropriate attitude. This includes appropriate clothing to perform your job duties as outlined by the agency. Must wear appropriate closed- in shoes at all times.
3. Must be aware of and follow Federal regulations and agency protocols while maintaining a positive attitude and a focus on safety and comfortable riding environment.
4. Ensure that children are not left unattended on a vehicle, in a classroom, Hallway and Bathroom at any time.
5. Assist the driver, staff member and parent/guardian entering and exiting the bus in a safe manner.
6. Ensure that all children are secured by seat belts and/or seated at all times when vehicle is in operation.
7. At the conclusion of every route, assist in conducting a mandatory bus check to ensure no children are left on buses. Following sign in and sign out procedures.
8. Redirect the behavior of children who act inappropriately during transport.
9. Assist the driver in ensuring that the reporting of inappropriate behavior and/or injury/accident is documented on an incident report and reported to the immediate supervisor, including but not limited to bus accidents.
10. Assist driver in ensuring that there are emergency medical releases and code word sheets on board at all times for all children being transported.
11. Transportation staff are required to request/verify Photo ID and codeword from anyone picking up child from the bus everyday.
12. Collaborate with bus driver, teacher, and family advocate to create a seating chart and keep it current and update often.
13. Assist the driver to ensure that the authorized list of children who ride the bus is up-to-date and current.
14. Check the bus attendance of children daily as they board and depart the bus.
15. Provide direct assistance/comfort to children who have not been picked-up off the bus, act appropriate with parents/guardians and call the center to report child is returning to center.
16. Act as a liaison between program staff and parents to ensure the safe transport of children.
17. Assist the driver in emergency situations.
18. Assist the driver in conducting emergency evacuation drills three (3) times per year.
19. Assist the driver in checking emergency and safety equipment.
20. Attend all scheduled staff meetings and trainings, as requested.
21. Assist in the lifting and moving of children as is appropriate.
22. Report suspected child abuse/neglect based on the Agency’s policy.
23. Responsible for gathering, documenting, and submitting In-Kind in a timely manner as required
24. Reports to work at scheduled times, maintains good attendance and honors break times.
25. Follows the proper call off procedure.
26. Support and maintain the integrity of the agency’s confidentiality policy.
Other responsibilities:
1. Fill-in as a kitchen helper/Assist in reception duties.
2. Once Food Certification is acquired, fill in as a cook, when the regular cook is off.
3. Promote active parent involvement
4. Participate in annual self-Assessment training and review as needed.
5. Assist the teachers in the classroom with daily routine/schedule, Interact with children at their eye level, bathroom, brushing teeth, mealtime, etc.
6. Participate in recruitment efforts.
7. This job description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities can change at any time with or without notice.
Education, Experience and Skills Required.
1. High School Diploma or GED.
2. Experience working with children.
3. Must have strong verbal and written communication skills.
Other Requirements
1. First Aid certification.
2. Must Physical examination and Tuberculin test.
3. PA Child Abuse, Criminal and FBI fingerprint clearances as required by law.
4. I-9 proof of employment eligibility.
5. Must be able to walk on uneven terrain, school grounds, and school busses.
6. Must be able to pass a random Drug/Alcohol Screenings.
Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:
1. Possible exposure to blood and bodily fluids or tissues;
2. Possible exposure to communicable diseases;
3. Job requires standing for long periods of time as well as stooping, squatting, running and sitting on the floor;
4. May be required to lift up to 50 pounds.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: From $14.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
