Head Start Office Assistant

Essential Job Responsibilities and Performance Indicators:

·         Assist in maintaining the daily operational needs of the center. (e.g., classroom assistance and bus monitoring).

·         Assist in the direction of student arrivals and departures.

·         Provide classroom support as needed

·         Maintain accurate and current documentation of records (e.g., meal count, time and attendance, child sign-in/out sheets, in-kind, etc.)

·         Assist in maintaining the center licensing files.

·         Operate office equipment (e.g., telephone, copier, fax, laminator, etc.)

·         Communicate with staff, parents, children, volunteers, and vendors.

·         Assist in the development of the program’s written goals and objectives.

·         Other related duties as assigned.

 Qualifications / Skills and Experience:

·         Associate degree in human relations or related field preferred.

·         A minimum of three years of experience in an administrative setting, which includes working with children and families, is preferred.

·         Ability to pass background checks and health screening.

·         Possess a valid South Carolina driver’s license.

·         Working knowledge of Microsoft Office

·         Must be able to adapt quickly and positively to changing demands, stressful situations, and multiple priorities

·         Strong written and verbal communication skills.

·         Excellent critical thinking, organization, and analytical skills.

Professional and Ethical Standards:

• Maintain confidentiality following agency policy and legal requirements.
• Maintain a system to ensure that all children’s and families’ records and information are secured and kept confidential at all times.
• Attend mandatory training and meetings and seek out staff development opportunities.
• Work as a team member with all staff and maintain a positive work ethic.
• Be honest, reliable, and dependable.
• Be knowledgeable about and sensitive to an individual’s values, beliefs, traditions, cultural influences, makeup, and circumstances.
• Demonstrate familiarity with employment policies, performance standards, work plans, and agency goals and objectives.
• Demonstrate commitment to mission, values, and policies in the performance of daily duties.
• Fulfill the role as a mandated reporter as stated in the Child Abuse & Neglect Policy.
• Assist in the development of the program’s annual written goals and objectives.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear individuals in person and over the phone.
• The employee frequently must stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms. 
•  Lift and move heavy and/or bulky objects and/or children weighing up to 50 lbs. 
• Maintain a clean office area, which may require the use of a broom, mop, and vacuum, cleaning fluids, etc.
• Ability to physically interact with children (walk and run quickly, kneel, or sit on the floor, bend, lift, walk over rough or uneven grounds, and exposure to diverse weather conditions)
• Ability to assist in setting up classrooms/office areas, which may include, but are not limited to, moving tables, chairs, shelves, etc.)
• Assist with the safety of children through the seeing, hearing, touching, and smelling senses.