Education Aide

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Section I: Position Details

Job Opening Date: November 9, 2026

Job Status: This position is full time - 32 hours per week. - HRDC offers flexible schedules for approved roles and a "reduced work week". In this position, it would encourage the use of up to 2 paid hours weekly for personal wellness.

Contract details: This seasonal contract will begin now & end May 28, 2027 - Typically the contract will run mid-August through the end of May.

Location: Belgrade Head Start Center

Wage: $21.00/hour

General Summary of the Position:

This position supports teaching staff in providing a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for young children. Responsibilities include assisting with classroom activities, promoting children's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development, and supporting daily routines and personal care. The position also assists with food preparation and service, maintaining a clean and healthy classroom environment, and completing required documentation and recordkeeping. Additional responsibilities include participating in ongoing training and supporting compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards and program policies and procedures.

Primary Job Duties:

Job Duty 1: Program Responsibilities (Estimated 40% of time)

• Assist in implementing developmentally appropriate individual and group learning experiences that support children's cognitive, language, social-emotional, physical, and creative development in accordance with the program's curriculum and school readiness goals.

• Support children's independence by modeling and assisting with personal care routines, including handwashing, toothbrushing, toileting, self-help skills, and caring for classroom materials and personal belongings.

• Observe children's participation and development and share observations and anecdotal documentation with the Lead Teacher to support ongoing assessment and individualized instruction.

• Assist in maintaining active supervision of children at all times, including during classroom activities, transitions, meals, rest time, and outdoor play, while promoting a safe, healthy, and engaging learning environment.

• Support a positive, inclusive, and culturally responsive classroom by building respectful relationships with children and families and interacting in a professional, supportive, and confidential manner.

• Assist in providing a balance of active play, movement, rest, and quiet learning experiences that support children's physical development, health, and overall well-being.

Job Duty 2: Food Service & Cleanliness (Estimated 30% of time)

• Assist with the preparation, delivery, and service of meals and snacks, including accommodations for children with special dietary needs, in accordance with CACFP requirements and program health and nutrition policies.

• Support and model family-style dining practices that encourage healthy eating habits, independence, and positive social interactions during meals and snacks.

• Maintain clean, sanitary, and organized classroom, kitchen, and food preparation areas by following established health, safety, and sanitation procedures, including washing dishes, sanitizing equipment, laundering classroom linens, and disinfecting sleeping mats.

• Assist with receiving, storing, and organizing food and classroom supplies and ensure food service items are properly cleaned and returned to designated storage areas.

• Complete required food service documentation, including accurate daily CACFP meal counts, attendance records, and other required food service records in accordance with program procedures.

Job Duty 3: Classroom Environment (Estimated 20% of time)

• Maintain a clean, safe, healthy, and organized classroom and shared center environment by following established health, safety, and sanitation procedures and ensuring learning spaces remain welcoming, developmentally appropriate, and ready for daily use.

Job Duty 4: Professional Development (Estimated 5% of time)

• Participate in required pre-service, in-service, and ongoing professional development activities to maintain required certifications, enhance job knowledge and skills, and ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, licensing requirements, and program policies.

Job Duty 5: Organizational Participation (Estimated 5% of time)

• Attend all organizational team meetings

• Read the weekly news to stay informed

• Participate in trainings and wellness days when available

• Conduct respectful, professional, and effective conversations with customers and volunteers regarding behavioral expectations, program compliance, and HRDC property standards.

Qualifications & Employment Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED required

• One year of experience working in a preschool or early childhood education setting preferred.

• Basic Knowledge or Experience in Kitchen and Food Preparation preferred

Required Background Check:

• Must successfully complete and maintain all required criminal background checks and clearances in accordance with applicable state and federal laws, Head Start Program Performance Standards, and HRDC policies.

Required Skills & Knowledge:

• Ability to communicate effectively with children, families, coworkers, and community partners using clear verbal and written communication while maintaining positive, respectful relationships.

• Ability to read, understand, and follow written and verbal instructions, policies, procedures, and program standards; maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in daily responsibilities.

• Ability to observe children, recognize health, safety, and developmental concerns, solve routine problems, and respond appropriately to changing classroom needs.

• Basic computer and mathematical skills, including the ability to use email, electronic recordkeeping systems, and perform simple calculations related to classroom activities and documentation.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a teaching team, manage time effectively and adapt to changing priorities.

• Willingness to participate in required professional development, and travel within the service area as needed.

• Demonstrates cultural responsiveness and respect when working with children, families, colleagues, and community partners from diverse backgrounds, providing services that recognize individual strengths, needs and preferences.

Confidentiality: This position requires regular handling of sensitive and confidential client and agency information. Unauthorized disclosure could harm client interests and the organization, and may also violate state and federal privacy laws. This position may have access to reports, records, and personnel files, and must exercise the highest level of discretion, judgment, and confidentiality at all times.

Preferred Licenses & Certifications: First Aid and CPR certification, or willingness to obtain certification within the timeframe established by program policy and applicable licensing requirements.

Health Requirements: Must meet applicable health screening, immunization, and communicable disease prevention requirements in accordance with Montana childcare licensing regulations and Head Start Program Performance Standards.

Bilingual Skillset: Not required in this role.

Communication: Professional, respectful, and clear communication is expected at all times. Employees are expected to communicate with colleagues, clients, partners, and community members in a manner that is courteous, constructive, and considerate. This includes listening actively, addressing concerns directly and respectfully, and maintaining professionalism even when navigating difficult or challenging situations.

External Communication / Relationships: Maintain effective working relationships with approved community partners and service providers as directed by your supervisor to support assigned programs and participant services.

Software / Tools / Technologies: Ability to use standard office and collaboration tools, including Google Workspace, email, and electronic recordkeeping systems such as ChildPlus. Must be able to enter and maintain accurate program documentation and data.

Supervision of Others: No Supervision - No supervisory authority or responsibility.

Financial Responsibility: No financial responsibility.

Travel: Occasional travel for training or conferences.

Problem-solving & Decision-Making: Ability to analyze information, solve problems, prioritize tasks, and exercise sound judgment within the scope of the position. Considers relevant policies, procedures, organizational priorities, and potential precedent setting impacts when determining next steps. Maintain open communication with your supervisor & seek guidance when appropriate.

Valid Driver's License Required? No

Mental and Emotional Attributes: This role may interact with individuals experiencing crisis, and calls for emotional resilience, empathy, and the ability to remain calm, and obtain help as needed.

Physical Activities required to perform the essential function of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation:

• This position requires regular standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and moving between standing and floor-level positions to support classroom activities and interactions with young children. Duties may include lifting, carrying, or moving classroom materials and equipment, and assisting children with daily routines. The position requires the ability to actively supervise children and respond promptly to situations involving child health and safety, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• This position is primarily based in an early childhood classroom and requires daily interaction with children, families, and staff in both indoor and outdoor learning environments. Regular work may occur outdoors or at community events, programs, or other field locations and may involve exposure to varying weather conditions. Regular exposure to staff, children, and families.

Safety: Complies with HRDC safety policies, procedures, and guidelines; participates in required safety training and emergency drills; maintains active supervision of children; follows established child protection, emergency response, and incident reporting procedures; promptly reports unsafe conditions, incidents, or near misses; and takes proactive steps to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment.

HRDC, Professional or Governmental Policies and Regulations: The person in this position must comply with State and Federal regulations and laws, Agency (HRDC) policies and procedures, and specialized professional or industry guidelines/standards.

Disclaimer: This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Assigned duties and responsibilities may be added, removed, or changed at any time as organizational needs evolve.