HS Teacher Assistant bei City of Chattanooga

Salary: 
With High School Diploma $18.00/hr
With Preschool CDA $19.00/hr
With Technical Certificate $20.00/hr
With AA-ECE $22.00/hr

FLSA Status:  This is a non-exempt position. 

Work Schedule:  Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 
This position works 195 days per year, 7.5 hours per day. Schedules may vary due to work assignments, locations, projects and program needs.

Department: Early Learning

Location: This position supports one of the Head Start/Early Head Start Campuses: Avondale (2302 Ocoee St), Cedar Hill (4701 Divine Ave), Daisy (9531 Ridge Trail Rd, Soddy Daisy) or James A Henry (1241 Grove St).

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY: 
Maintains a safe, healthy and cognitively organized learning environment and  ensures the safety of children at all times.  Assists the teacher in supporting the physical health and development of children to ensure they are ready for kindergarten and lifelong learning. All employees employed by Chattanooga Head Start may work directly with children.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. The HS Assistant Teacher assists the HS Teacher with the following duties:

Implement curricula in the classroom with fidelity

Perform the functions of this position with a working knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards, State of Tennessee Child Care Licensing Rules and Regulations, and Agency policies and procedures

Plan and implement learning experiences that promote all developmental areas, including improving the readiness of children for school by developing their literacy and phonemic, print, numeric awareness, and language-including English as a second language if applicable, with a thorough knowledge and application of CHS School Readiness Goals

Guide and facilitate activities of the children, including; daily activities and selecting and arranging equipment and materials in the classroom

Eat with and assist children in development of social and self-help skills, and sound nutritional practices

Guide children’s acquisition of social skills

Work with the Teacher and/or Aides to use and develop their skills and abilities in planning and carrying out classroom activities

Cooperate with other staff and classroom groups to maintain the smooth functioning of the center, which at times may require changes to meet the needs of the children

Maintain a safe and healthy classroom environment, following all Head Start and TN State Standards. Assure that classroom equipment, furniture, materials, and supplies are properly maintained, cleaned, and stored

Use the playground as an extension of the classroom; ensure that the playground is safe;

Ensure that the daily health and environment checklist is complete

Assist in implementing, individualizing, and monitoring children’s IEP (Individualized Education Plan) or IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan), if applicable, documenting progress and seeking clarification for any aspects that are not well understood

Provide clear behavioral expectations and use effective methods to prevent and redirect misbehavior

Complete and submit required forms and records in a timely and accurate fashion;

Actively assist in transition activities

Effectively communicate with families concerning classroom calendar, parent meetings, and special events

Encourage parent participation within the program

Actively participate in the development and implementation of the Professional Development Plan and performance review

Ensure that documentation and files are complete, accurate, and confidentiality maintained

Must meet regular attendance requirements.

Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers, and citizens.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.

Performs other duties as assigned.
 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum education: High School Diploma or GED

Preschool CDA or a State Technical Early Childhood Certificate required, or must be willing to obtain credential within 6 months.

Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education preferred

1 year experience in working with young children, either as a paid worker or as a volunteer, preferred

Any combination of equivalent experience and education to perform the essential functions of the position will be considered. 

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:  None.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Knowledge of:

Preschool child growth and development

ECE best practices

Classroom management

Importance of relationships and responsive caregiving

Child safety and supervision

Experience working with young children in a group setting

Experience working with culturally diverse staff and clients

Confidentiality and respecting the rights of children, families, and staff

Tennessee Child Care Licensing Rules is not required but is desired

Skills in:

Successful experience working in a team setting

Ability to work respectfully and cooperatively with a Teacher Assistant and Aide, assisting him/her in increasing knowledge and skills

Ability to present a positive image of the organization to members of the community

Ability to plan, organize, and implement position requirements

Experience successfully working with a culturally diverse staff and clients

Effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills

Proficient use of computer applications, including word processing, data-entry into web-based software applications, and email communication 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 
MEDIUM WORK - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

This position is classified as Medium Work in compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, which require staff to ensure the health and safety of children. This may include the direct supervision of children and/or the ability to respond promptly and effectively in the event of an emergency at a Head Start center.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Safety Sensitive: N 

Department of Transportation - CDL: N

Child Sensitive: Y

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
This position is subject to pre-employment screenings, which include a background check, drug screening, lift test, TB screening questionnaire and/or TB skin test (as determined by initial results), complete physical examination, Hepatitis B titer, and fingerprinting. Ongoing requirements include a physical reexamination on an annual or bi-annual basis and fingerprint clearance every five years.

The City of Chattanooga, Tennessee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

JES 7/18/25