Jobs

Project NOW employs approximately 130 people in Rock Island, Mercer, and Henry Counties in Illinois. If you are interested in seeking employment opportunities at Project NOW, please send us your application and resume, or come in to one of our locations to fill out an application in person. You can email your resume and application to: amishra@projectnow.org. You will be contacted by Human Resources if you are selected for an interview. Due to the high volume of applicants, we are not able to personally contact each applicant. We are an Equal Opportunity employer and we participate in E-Verify.

Download our Job Application Here (PDF)

Job Title: Outreach Worker
Department: Sr. Services
                              
Summary: Performs a variety of outreach functions and searches for customers who do not know about or have not utilized appropriate services.

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Familiarizes self with all agency programs and mode of operation with particular emphasis on program guidelines.
• Familiarizes self with all available area resources and develops a good working relationship with other groups/agencies in order to better coordinate services.
• Conduct follow-up on referrals from other agencies in a timely manner
• Assesses customer needs through intake and identifies and informs clients of resources available; refers, follows-up with customers and provides services as indicated.
• Advocate for customers wrongfully denied services.
• Conducts home visits as needed and provides individual emphasis on family development and self-sufficiency.
• Assists customers in job search/placement or enrollment in education/training programs by making referrals and assisting with the resume or application processes as needed.
• Maintains accurate, confidential case files/records, updating as necessary.
• Provide a very customer focused service utilizing a high degree of interpersonal skills.
• Attends program, agency and outside meetings/trainings as requested.
• Be willing to travel as necessary and enter into widely varied home settings to serve homebound seniors.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.  Must have good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.  Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.   Must be able to work independently and have the ability to apply social work principles to real life situations.
• Must become SHIP Counselor Certified within 180 days of hire or when training available.
• Must have completed a recognized Family and Community Development Certification process or have equivalent academic course work.  Experience with advanced outreach, case management and/or family development desired.
• Must have reliable transportation, valid driver’s license and current liability insurance.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: High school diploma or general education degree (GED) and 1 year of related experience and or training or a combination of education and experience.  Must be proficient with Microsoft Windows and Office software and be able to operate office equipment such as 10 key and keyboard.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and listen.  The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds as it relates to the office environment.  The noise level is quiet and the type normally associated with the office environment.

Job Title: Driver, Home Delivered Meal Program
Department:  Senior Services
                                        
SUMMARY Responsible for delivering daily meals to home bound seniors.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties as assigned.

• Pick up meals at designated area, load into vehicle and deliver to customers’ homes.
• Follow routes as established by the Meal Operations Supervisor.
• Deliver meals to customers in the Rock Island/Mercer County area.
• Thoroughly clean and return delivery bags and containers to proper location after meal delivery.
• Attend meetings and trainings as required.
• Drive safely in all seasons.
• Deliver meals in all neighborhoods as requested.
• Report customer concerns to supervisor or other staff as requested.
• Keep vehicle clean at all times and report needed maintenance items to supervisor immediately.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills while interacting with the public, including customers, vendors, staff and volunteers.
• Complete and turn in required paperwork accurately and timely.
• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.  Ability to write simple correspondence.  Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.  Must have good verbal communication skills.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. 
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.  Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in different situations.
• Must have valid drivers license, reliable vehicle and proof of insurability

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to three months’ related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT 
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and sit.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as associated with road traffic.

Job Title: Head Start Manager
Department: Head Start

SUMMARY: Functions as a member of the Head Start team to provide comprehensive services in accordance with all regulations and program requirements. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES includes the following.  Other duties as assigned. 

• Provides leadership in a team environment, including recruiting, selecting, orienting, and training of staff.
• Collaborates with staff and management team in providing high quality comprehensive services. Oversees all risk management. Oversees maintenance and repair of facilities, vehicles and other agency property.  Monitors meetings and trainings for staff and families.
• Coordinates with management team in preparation of reports, analyzing data and identifying solutions in a timely manner. Tracks and ensures comprehensive services are provided to all families.  Oversees accurate documentation for child, family, and support services.  Utilizes database for recording and reporting data, including monthly reports.  Monitors budget by tracking expenditures and recommending budget of content areas; assists in development of grant applications.
• Oversees all family services to ensure quality services are provided to all families in a timely manner.  Puts systems in place so that effective communication occurs between families, staff and community services.  Oversees development and presentation of parent orientation, committee meetings, trainings, and other family events in content areas.  Provides support in referrals and follow-up on services.
• Actively participates in management team by attending program-planning meetings; ensuring systems are in place for implementation of program activities.  Maintains connections with LEA in geographical area, as well as other community services and organizations.  Advocates for families; obtains and maintains service agreements; develops new partnerships to benefit Head Start families.
• Ensures recruitment of children in Head Start by developing and producing advertising and other materials and collaborating with public schools.  Monitors door-to-door recruitment in service area, posting and distributing recruitment materials, setting up registration sites, and other activities.  Oversees collection of registration documents and processing of applications.
• Program Content Area Expert in areas assigned by Head Start Director, which may include one or more of the following:  Volunteers/In-Kind, Transportation, School Readiness, Nutrition/Food Program, Health, Mental Health, Disabilities, Professional Development, Family/Community Engagement, ERSEA, Facilities, and other required program initiatives.
• Requires a background of working with children, families and low-income groups.  Requires the ability to travel area-wide, and to access classroom sites and family homes.  Requires ability to travel overnight for training and agency representation at professional meetings. 
• Requires minimum age of twenty-one (21) years to comply with regulations.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, families, and the general public.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. 
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Requires ability to pass a medical examination, certifying freedom from communicable disease upon offer of employment.
• Requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and proof of insurance.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:  This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, with the exception of the ERSEA Manager who oversees the Health Content Area Specialist. Manager responsibilities include interviewing and training employees on content areas; planning, assigning, and directing work directly related to content area; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:  Requires a Bachelor’s degree with coursework equivalent to a major (minimum of 30 semester hours) in child development or early childhood education with three years full time supervisory work experience.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell.  The employee must periodically lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. These physical demands are as with handling children of pre-school age. Environment will be of a normal office environment and normal preschool environment.

Job Title: Bus Driver
Department: Head Start Kewanee
                                               
SUMMARY:  Provides safe transportation services and supports all components of Head Start in compliance with regulatory guidelines and program requirements. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties as assigned.

• Assures that bus is properly inspected and maintained.  Completes daily pre- and post- trip inspection. Assists in scheduling and completing minor repairs.  Schedules and completes regular maintenance and cleaning.  Keeps accurate records on bus usage. 

• Works cooperatively with monitors and other program staff and volunteers to ensure that all passenger boarding, seating, riding and exiting the bus are done in safe and appropriate manner.  Ensures that procedures for special needs passengers are followed along with proper equipment and restraints.  Ensures proper discipline techniques are used on the bus.

• Knows and follows Risk Management and other procedures in case of an accident.  Performs regular Evacuation Drills with all passengers as required by regulatory agencies.
• Ensures timely transportation of all passengers to and from daily routes, field trips, parent meetings and other special activities.  Assists with establishing transportation routes.
• Provides meal service transportation and delivery, as needed.  Ensures compliance with all procedures, rules, regulations and adhering strictly to infection-control policies and protocols.  Maintains all foods in safe and sanitary condition; returning used dishes to the kitchen of distribution.  Loads food and containers, directing helpers to ensure that all food and beverage items are ready for transportation. Assists at site with meal service and child services, as needed.
• Assists with planning, set up and completion of periodic driver and monitor training.  Participates in in-services and other required training.  Assists in recruitment of children in Head Start. 
• Must be able to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.  Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization. Must have good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.  Ability to deal with problems involving a few variables in different situations.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:   This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:  High school diploma or general education degree (GED); and three months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Requires the ability to pass a medical examination certifying you to be physically able to drive a school bus and free from communicable disease.  Requires the possession or attainment of a valid Illinois Commercial Driver's license (CDL) and current Illinois School Bus Driving permit.  Requires submission to initial and random periodic drug and alcohol testing. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT:  The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit and use hands to finger, handle and feel.  The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distant vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.  Requires the physical ability to sit for long periods of time in a vehicle.  While performing the duties of this job, employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.  The noise level in work environment is usually moderate.

Job Title: Classroom Aide
Department: Head Start

SUMMARY Works cooperatively with teaching and family service team to plan and provide daily early childhood education program at a center site.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Functions as a member of the Head Start team to provide comprehensive services in accordance with all regulations and program requirements. Other duties as assigned.  

• Works cooperatively with teaching and family service team to plan and provide daily early childhood education program at a center site. Follows proper procedures in the safe and healthy care of children, including those with special needs. Assists in individualization, observation and evaluation of each child.
• Maintains a safe, healthy learning environment. Works cooperatively with other staff and managers to conduct daily safety of site and daily health checks of children. Assists with meal service, sanitation and cleaning of site. Complies with all Risk Management procedures; assists with regular fire drills and tornado drills.
• Assists in maintaining regular communication with parents and actively encouraging parent participation. Assists in encouraging parent volunteers for all program areas, meetings and other activities. Assists in generating referrals for services for families and children as appropriate. Assists in training center volunteers on center routines, discipline, and activities.
• Participates in supervisory meetings, center team meetings, in-services, visits, conferences, planning sessions, and staffings for the children and families as needed. Assists in planning parent training and educational experiences for home visits and in the center. 
• Assists in recruitment of children in Head Start by collaborating with public school registrations, developing and producing advertising and other materials, going door-to-door in service area, posting recruitment materials, distributing flyers, setting up registration sites, and other activities. Assists recruitment team in helping potential candidates gather registration documents, and assists in processing applications.
• Maintains records and submits all required reports, forms, records and expenses on time. This includes inventories, lesson plans, meal service records, child observations and assessments, In-Kind forms, homework/activity reports, updates to child records, home visit reports, referrals, follow-ups and other family records. Assists in maintaining a classroom bulletin board containing all required postings for review.
• Takes role of Assistant Teacher/Advocate in that person's absence.
• Requires minimum age of eighteen (18) years to comply with regulations.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, families, staff, and the general public.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Must have valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and proof of insurance.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:  This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:  Requires a high school diploma or GED and experience with preschool-aged children.  Must be willing to attend college courses in child development or early childhood education and special needs and/or complete coursework for Child Development Associate (CDA) certification within 2 years.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT:  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell.  The employee must periodically lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. These physical demands are as with handling children of pre-school age. Environment will be of a normal office environment and normal pre-school environment.

Job Title:  Head Start Site Supervisor
Department: Head Start

SUMMARY :  Functions as a member of the Head Start team to provide comprehensive services in accordance with all regulations and program requirements.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties as assigned 

• Maintains a safe, healthy learning environment.  Works cooperatively with staff to conduct daily safety checks of site and daily health checks of children.  Follows proper procedures in the safe and healthy care of children, including those with special needs.  Works with staff to ensure continuity of curriculum and a high standard of quality in classroom.  Oversees food service at center to assure children are served healthy, nutritious meals.  Complies with Risk Management procedures; conducts regular fire drills and tornado drills.  Serves as center contact person for licensing.

• Upholds all policies including Project NOW Employee Handbook, DCFS licensing standards, Head Start Performance Standards, USDA and Food Sanitation policies at all times.  Educates/mentors staff regarding policy and holds staff accountable for following policies.

• Recruits children in Head Start by collaborating with public school registrations, developing and producing advertising and other materials, going door-to-door in service area, posting recruitment materials, distributing flyers, setting up registration sites, and other activities.  Works with potential candidates in gathering registration documents and processing applications.
• Maintains regular communication with families, staff, supervisor and community in a variety of ways including verbal and written.  Use technology to facilitate efficient communication.  Maintains an electronic calendar shared with management.
• Assures all families have an opportunity to participate in all Head Start program activities.  Ensures quality services are provided to all families in a timely manner.   Ensures center volunteers are trained on center routines, discipline, and appropriate activities. Participates in parent orientation, committee meetings, trainings, and other family events.  Arranges transportation and childcare for meetings, referrals and other program activities. 
• Submits all required reports and other paperwork to supervisor in a timely manner.  Includes classroom and site inventories, supply requisitions, accident/incident reports, medication and allergy documentation, transportation reports, food service paperwork, licensing applications, regulatory inspection documentation, referrals, follow-ups and other family records.  Maintains complete and accurate records of all children and staff at center with duplicate submitted to main office for file.
• Conducts planning sessions, and staffing for children and families.  Takes leadership role in program activities and staff scheduling.
• Attends meetings as requested.
• To perform all duties and responsibilities of Teacher/Advocate position, including filling in for staff as needed.
• Requires the ability to travel area-wide, and to access classroom sites and family homes. 
• Requires minimum age of twenty-one (21) years to comply with regulations.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating/maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports/correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of families/employees.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.  Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Requires the ability to pass a medical examination, certifying freedom from communicable disease upon employment offer.
• Requires a valid driver's license, reliable transportation and proof of Insurance

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:  Collaborates with staff and management team in providing high quality comprehensive services to families. Functions as a contact person at assigned site and provide guidance to site in the absence of Program Supervisor.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:  Requires a Bachelor's degree in child development or early childhood education with 2 years' experience in Head Start or other early education/family services, or a Bachelor's degree with coursework equivalent to a major (minimum of 30 semester hours) in child development or early childhood education plus 2 years' experience in Head Start or other early education/family services.

Job Title: Maintenance Specialist
Department:Property and Assets 

SUMMARY: Responsible for the overall maintenance, physical condition, presentation and readiness of all Project NOW agency facilities and customer rental units prior to and during occupancy. Serve as point of contact for a variety of tenants and vendors, and expected to facilitate a variety of demands.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.  Other duties as assigned.

• Responsible for maintaining safe agency facilities and customer rental units, organizing repairs as needed.
• Must be able to prioritize tasks and assignments for self and crew.
• Must have basic carpentry skills to make repairs or corrections to structural problems.
• Must have basic heating, air conditioning and ventilation skills to diagnose and correct problems.
• Must have landscaping knowledge to perform or supervise lawn and landscaping functions.
• Must have plumbing skills to install, change or repair fixtures, water and waste lines.
• Must have skills to repair or install floor and floor coverings, occluding vinyl, ceramic and carpeting.
• Responsible for installing/repairing screens, windows and mirrors; installing new conduit and wiring; performing emergency roof repairs and permanent roof repairs.
• Must have electrical skills to diagnose and correct problems or make appropriate referrals to contractors.
• Must have general construction skills to make installation or repairs as needed.
• Must have general mechanical knowledge to maintain and repair vehicles.
• Requires knowledge of the proper and safe use of power tools.
• Must be able to properly fill out all required paperwork and reports as requested, as well as the ability to read a variety of instructions and technical material.
• Must have valid driver's license, dependable vehicle, and proof of insurance.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:  High school diploma or GED and five years related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience. Must possess strong people skills and ability to work with people of a diverse background.

Physical Demands: Demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical demands include: being on foot, bending, stooping, squatting, kneeling, and climbing stairs and ladders, pushing or pulling, reaching above shoulder height, grasping, gripping, turning, lifting and carrying up to 100 pound items; performing general and detail observations; working above ground height; using finger dexterity, operating equipment or tools and following instructions. While performing duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as associated with tool operation.

Job Title: Teacher/Advocate 1 (Center Based)
Department: Head Start

SUMMARY:  Functions as a member of the Head Start team to provide comprehensive services in accordance with all regulations and program requirements. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties as assigned.

• Works cooperatively with teaching team to plan and provide daily early childhood education program at a center site.  Follows proper procedures in the safe and healthy care of children, including those with special needs. Works with a 10-12 child caseload in individualization, observation and evaluation of each child.
• Maintains a safe, healthy learning environment.  Works cooperatively with other staff and managers to conduct daily safety checks of site and daily health checks of children.  Ensures meal service, sanitation and cleaning of site.  Complies with all Risk Management procedures; conducts regular fire drills and tornado drills.
• Teachers also filling the Advocate role due to shorter class times will have the following additional responsibilities: Assists parents in developing a Family Service Plan/Family Partnership Agreement with goals to accomplish during the Head Start year.  Works with families to develop a list of community services and to make all appropriate referrals, including locating a source of primary health care and other services.  Plans and conducts a minimum of two home visits with each family per program year.  Provides parents with handbook, social services directory and other materials.  Provides parent training and educational experiences on home visits. Maintain accurate records of home visit activities, submit home visit reports.
• Maintains regular communication with parents and actively encourages parent participation.  Encourages parent volunteers for all program areas, meetings and other activities.  Routinely attends parent activities.  Trains center volunteers on center routines, discipline, and activities.  Provides parents with handbook, social services directory and other materials. 
• Participates in supervisory meetings, center team meetings, in-services, visits, conferences, planning sessions, and staffings for the children and families as needed.  Provides parent training and educational experiences in the center.  Takes leadership role in parent activities in the absence of Program management. 
• Assists in recruitment of children in Head Start by collaborating with public school registrations, going door-to-door in service area, posting recruitment materials, distributing flyers, setting up registration sites, and other activities.  Works with potential candidates in gathering registration documents and processing applications.

• Weekly Responsibilities:   Submit lesson plans to Education Manager for review. Attendance and Child/Parent sign-in/out form submitted to HS office. In-Kind and activity sheets submitted to Office Manager.

• Monthly Responsibilities:   Participate in monthly fire and tornado drills. Submit USDA Meal Participation form to HS Office Manager. Submit end of month report and emergency light/exit checklist to HS office.
• Requires the ability to travel area-wide, and to access classroom sites and family homes to provide visits with the families.
• Requires minimum age Twenty-one (21) years to comply with regulations.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, families, staff and the general public.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.  Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Requires ability to pass a medical examination, certifying freedom from communicable disease upon offer of employment.
• Requires a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and proof of agency requirements for automobile insurance.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:  This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:  Requires an Associate's degree with a minimum of eighteen (18) semester hours in child development or early childhood education and 2 years full time early education experience, plus ability and willingness to take courses every semester towards a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 30 semester hours in early education or related field.  
PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT   While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. These physical demands are as with handling children of pre-school age.  Environment will be of a normal office environment and normal pre-school environment.

Job Title: Assistant Teacher/Advocate 1 (Center Based)
Department: Head Start                                                                       

SUMMARY:  Functions as a member of Head Start team to provide comprehensive services in accordance with all regulations and program requirements.   

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES includes the following.  Other duties as assigned. 

• Works cooperatively with teaching team to plan and provide daily early childhood education program at a center site.  Follows proper procedures in the safe and healthy care of children, including those with special needs. Works with a 10-12 child caseload in individualization, observation and evaluation of each child.
• Maintains a safe, healthy learning environment.  Works cooperatively with staff to conduct daily site safety checks and daily child health checks.  Assists w/meal service, sanitation and cleaning of site. Complies with Risk Management procedures.
• Assistant Teachers also filling the Advocate role due to shorter class times will have the following additional responsibilities: Assists parents in developing a Family Service Plan/Family Partnership Agreement with goals to accomplish during the Head Start year.  Works with families to develop a list of community services and to make all appropriate referrals, including locating a source of primary health care and other services. Plans and conducts a minimum of two home visits with each family per program year.  Provides parents with handbook, social services directory and other materials.  Provides parent training and educational experiences on home visits. Maintain accurate records of home visit activities, submit home visit reports.
• Maintains regular communication with parents and actively encourages parent participation.  Encourages parent volunteers for all program areas, meetings and other activities.  Routinely attends parent activities.  Assists in training center volunteers. 
• Participates in supervisory meetings, center team meetings, in-services, visits, conferences, planning sessions, and staffings for the children and families as needed.  Provides parent training and educational experiences in the center.  Takes leadership role in the classroom in the absence of the Teacher/Advocate.
• Assists in recruitment of children in Head Start by collaborating with public school registrations, going door-to-door in service area, posting recruitment materials, distributing flyers, setting up registration sites, and other activities.  Works with potential candidates in gathering registration documents and processing applications.

• Weekly Responsibilities:   Submit lesson plans to Education Manager for review. Attendance and Child/Parent sign-in/out form submitted to HS office. In-Kind and activity sheets submitted to Office Manager.

• Monthly Responsibilities:   Participate in monthly fire and tornado drills. Submit USDA Meal Participation form to HS Office Manager. Submit end of month report and emergency light/exit checklist to HS office.
• Maintains accurate records of center and home visit activities and submits all required reports, forms, records and expenses on time.  This includes inventories, child observations and assessments, updates to child records, home visit reports, referrals, follow-ups and other family records.  Assists in maintaining a classroom bulletin board containing required postings.
• Requires minimum age Nineteen (19) years to comply with regulations.
• Requires the ability to travel area-wide, and to access classroom sites and family homes to provide visits with the families.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, families, staff and the general public.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.  Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
• Requires ability to pass a medical examination, certifying freedom from communicable disease upon offer of employment.
• Requires a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and proof of agency requirements for automobile insurance.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:  This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:  Requires a high school diploma or GED, plus a Child Development Associate (CDA) certification and 2 years full time experience; or a high school diploma, 2 years full time experience and ability to complete CDA within 2 years.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT:   While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. These physical demands are as with handling children of pre-school age. Environment will be of a normal office environment and normal pre-school environment.

Summary:  Functions as a part of the meal service team for the site(s) assigned and is responsible for food service in compliance with all regulatory guidelines and program requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following.  Other duties as assigned.

• Responsible for meal preparation and service at assigned center site(s) by completing daily and weekly checklists. Assures preparation of healthy, nutritious meals in a safe and sanitary manner.  Follows proper food sanitation procedures to assure safety of foods served and stored.
• Works cooperatively with other staff and managers to provide food service at assigned center site(s).  Assists with meal service and child services, as needed.  Complies with all Risk Management procedures; participates in regular fire and tornado drills.
• Maintains a safe, healthy work environment, overseeing cleaning of food service areas on a daily basis.  Washes dishes following proper sanitation procedures.  Ensures that equipment and appliances are well maintained, conducts monthly safety checks of all appliances to ensure safe operation.
• Accepts and reviews deliveries; stores promptly.  Utilizes First In/First Out method in food storage and use.
• Ensures transport of food to assigned center site(s), maintaining proper temperature and sanitation conditions.
• Assists with menu planning, providing suggestions and making written changes on menu when they occur.  Prepares grocery list/supplies for purchasing each week based on menu and inventory.  Ensures food and supplies are ordered and stored in a timely manner.

Education and/or Experience:  Requires a high school diploma or GED and Food Service Sanitation certification, or ability and willingness to complete GED and courses in food service and sanitation.

Project NOW is an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER and PROVIDER

Positions within Project NOW are primarily grant funded and funding decreases can affect our staffing needs.