The University of Texas at San Antonio

Job Description

Job Title: Assistant Early Childhood Specialist

Code: 8128

Salary Grade: 52

FLSA Status: Non Exempt

Department/Division: Child Development Center/Student Affairs

Reports To: Director of Child Development Center

Summary

· Function: To care for and educate young children in a child care environment.

· Scope: Responsible for providing quality child care by assisting in the development and implementation of a developmental appropriate-age program for children.

Duties

· Typical:

1. Assist with planning and implementing developmentally appropriate activities for young children; verbally interact with children during daily routines; promote positive self-esteem.

2. Assist with arrangements, appearance and learning environments within the classroom.

3. Assist with developing and implementing daily schedules, lesson plans and classroom management techniques.

4. Assist in implementing family style dining practices during children’s mealtimes.

5. Protect the health and safety of children; sanitize the environment as required; inspect classrooms and playgrounds for health/safety hazards; administer first aid as needed to the children.

6. Utilize appropriate direct and indirect guidance strategies to guide behavior.

7. Assist in observing each child for developmental milestones; developing portfolios and recording developmental growth.

8. Attend and participate in parent conferences as requested, encourage daily communication of children’s progress and assist in implementing learning opportunities to meet individual learning goals.

9. Complete departmental forms that record accidents, child medication, diaper chart, Child Care Delivery Services, attendance, meal count, etc.

10. Performs other duties as assigned.

· Periodic:

1. Attend staff meetings, trainings and other work-related functions.

Education

Required	Preferred
Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate; OR one-year certificate in Early Childhood Education; OR Child Care Administrator Certificate; OR 12 college credit hours from an accredited institution.	College coursework specific to Early Childhood Education.
At the department’s discretion, 4 years of assistant teaching or teaching experience in an educational facility serving infants to 6 year olds may be substituted for the required education.

Other Requirements

Required	Preferred
Demonstrated knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for young children.	Knowledge of or ability to quickly learn the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (TDPRS) Minimum Standards for a Child Care Center; City of San Antonio Children’s Resource Division, Child Care Delivery Services Designated Vendor Criteria; the National Association for the Education of Young Children Accreditation process.
Annual completion of 20 hours of child development training.
Adult/Child/Infant CPR and First Aid Training by the American Heart Association or other accredited organization.
Negative TB test and first shot of Hepatitis B vaccination series.
Criminal Background Check (CBC) through UTSA Police Department and background clearance through Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (TDPRS).	Completion of Hepatitis B vaccination series.

Experience

Required	Preferred
One year of experience as an assistant classroom teacher of young children in a child development center or other educational facility.	Two years of similar experience in a center accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
At the department’s discretion, a Bachelor’s degree may be substituted for experience.

Equipment

Required	Preferred
Personal computer, standard office equipment and standard classroom equipment.	N/A

Working Conditions

Usual	Special
Normal classroom conditions.	Occasional out of town travel.
Must be able to regularly lift 40 pounds with or without accommodation; occasionally lift 10 pounds over head with or without accommodation.
Frequent stooping, squatting, bending, sitting, standing, crawling, dancing, rolling on the floor, and performing calisthenics.	Moves furniture and equipment which requires pushing and pulling heavy objects, up to 150 pounds.
Repetitive movements incurred during sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, wiping tables and furniture, washing dishes, etc.

Supervision

Received	Given
Direct from supervisor.	May supervise or assist with the supervision of assigned students.

Accuracy

Proficiency in all phases of the duties performed.

Security Sensitive

Specific job requirements or physical location of some positions allocated to this classification may render the position security sensitive, and thereby subject to the provisions of section 51.215 Texas Education Code.

Internal Control

Within the scope of position duties, responsible for seeing that operations are effective and efficient, assets are safeguarded, reliable financial data is maintained, and applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures are complied with.