Center Aide Head Start, full-time at The Opportunity Alliance

Head Start Classrooms are hiring!Center AidesThe Opportunity Alliance is seeking aCenter Aidein Portland. Join the Head Start team and make a difference in the lives of children and families in your community.Head Start promotes the school readiness of young children from low-income families through high quality culturallyappropriate earlycareand education experiences. Classrooms implement a responsive curriculum with a strong focus on social-emotional well-being with a low teacher to child ratio to support growth and learning in all domains. Head Start centers families in their childrens educationand carethrough meaningful staff are supported to identify and work towards their professional goals through a combination of ongoing supervision coaching and training.TheCenter Aideworks collaboratively with the teaching team toprovidea safe nurturing and stimulating learning environment for children ages 3-5 years. Classroom responsibilities include developing andmaintainingrespectfulandtrusting relationships with childrenfacilitatingchildrens involvementinlearning activitiessupportingchildren during important transitionsandroutinesand learning about and practicing effective behavior management techniques.TheCenter Aideis also responsible for the preparation and service of nutritious meals as well as the operations of the Centers preparation includeschopping vegetables and fruits portioning food and following recipesto ensure balanced nutrition according to applicable program standards. TheCenter Aidesupportsteaching staff in educating children about the foods that they are eating and the importance ofhealthy nutrition.Schedule: Full-time 32 hours per week.This position follows the school calendar year.Location: Portland MEQualifications:A high school diploma or equivalent or be attending high school or be enrolled in a GED preparation program or be enrolled in a CDA credential program (any one of these must be completed within 2 years of hire) required.1 year of center-based teaching early intervention home visiting or community-based work related to early childhood education preferred.1 year of food preparation & service experience preferred.Knowledge of the important role that culture plays in child & family development.Demonstrated ability to work effectively with teams.Commitment to social justice and the mission of Head Start.Must be able to able to successfully pass a criminal background child protective service check & sex offender check and must not be on the state or federal suspension and disbarment list.Must be able to pass pre-employment physical and TB screen and must be current on MMR and TDAP immunizations.Must be able to exert significant physical effort with frequent standing walking reaching stooping bending kneeling crouching typing and frequently lift and carry small children or material weighing up to 25 pounds.Driving or accessing other means of transportation may be necessary to attend meetings and trainings.Benefits: Our benefits include but are not limited to:(offered to full-time and part-time employees)Generous paid time off accrual9paid holidays per calendar year and up to 3 floating holidays per calendar yearExcellent medical benefits at very reasonable costDental and Vision insurance optionsAgency paid basic life insurance and STD & LTD disability insurances403(b) retirement with a generous agency match (all employees are eligible)Tuition Reimbursement offered once per year through an application processThe Opportunity Alliance (TOA) is a qualified employer under thePublic Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)program.To learn more about our benefits please visit we are The Opportunity Alliance is Helping People Reach for a Brighter Future.Mission: The Opportunity Alliance works with people to build better lives and stronger communities. We provide advocacy leadership and support to identify the goals and address the needs of individuals families and communities.The Opportunity Alliance (TOA) is a dynamic results-focused Community Action Agency providing approximately 50 integrated community-based and clinical programs serving more than 20000 people annually throughout the state of Maine. With over 50 years of experience TOA draws from a comprehensive set of programs which address issues such as mental health substance use homelessness lack of basic needs and access to community an extensive array of services TOA provides opportunities for individuals to stabilize fragile situations and then works with them to achieve is client-focused with extensive experience working with diverse client populations. TOA programming includes four key sectors of service:Mental Health & WellnessCommunity BuildingFamily & Early Childhood EducationEconomic ResourcesIf you are viewing this posting on a third-party site please visit our website at apply.Please submit a cover letter and resume along with your application.Thank you! Key Skills Abinitio,Administration And Accounting,Android,Bid Management,Inventory Management,Embedded C Employment Type : Full-Time Experience: years Vacancy: 1