EHS PSA - Jerome Preschool

TITLE OF POSITION: Program Support Aide (PSA)

GENERAL SUMMARY OF THE POSITION
This position works as part of a team to assist in activities in all areas of the program, such as building,
classroom, and kitchen, and/or to serve as an individualization assistant as needed. The position may be
reassigned to various classrooms/centers as deemed necessary for program operations. This position may
receive technical support and training in the content area from the Lead Teacher/Teacher, Associate, or
Education Coordinators.

SALARY: Per ECEA CBA PSA $16.50 - $17.51/hour

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION
The duties of the position are described in the major functional areas listed below. Additional duties may be
assigned.

Professional Development
● Attends all required training and workshops, including online training and cluster meetings as required
by Head Start and State Licensing.
● Remains up-to-date on information that pertains to the needs of the children in the program, including
Head Start Performance Standards, Michigan child care licensing regulations, and other applicable
regulations and practices.
● Keeps up to date on Developmentally Appropriate Practice
● Maintains knowledge of the regulations associated with the prevention of occupational disease and
injury, including the exercise of universal precautions and the prevention of contamination.
● Able to work with children at all levels of development.
● Maintains professional certification that the employee was hired with or obtained to meet Head Start
and ISD standards.
● Successfully completes and maintains basic First Aid, CPR certification, and required licensing training.
● Actively participates in opportunities for continuous professional development.

Preschool Program Implementation
Classroom Aide
● Assists classroom staff in all classroom activities, including implementation of lesson plans, field trips,
outdoor activities, meal times, and transportation.
● Assists in developing materials and providing activities related to the cultural background of the children
and families served.
● Helps supervise at mealtime, eating with the children to encourage good nutrition and proper social
skills.
● Helps keep the classroom and its contents clean and orderly, helping to maintain a safe, healthy
learning environment.
● Assists in keeping learning environments safe from hazards and free from clutter and allows for visibility
of children by utilizing the Daily Health and Safety Checklist.
● Assists the teacher in any aspect of the program as the need arises.
● Serves as a substitute in the absence of the teacher or associate teacher.
● Participates in the screening, assessment, observation, and documentation of children.
● Works in a diverse environment with children and families of various developmental levels and needs.
● Fosters self-esteem, self-direction, self-control, and school readiness skills with preschool children by
using positive methods and modeling and participating in curriculum development and curriculum.

● Participates in recruitment activities.

Custodial Aide Services
● Empties trash or garbage containers if needed before the custodian or janitor services.
● Sanitizes surfaces and picks up and puts away materials in the classroom or kitchen in order to
maintain a safe and organized environment.
● Serves as custodian in the absence of the regular custodian as required.

Kitchen Aide
● Completes routine kitchen/food service area/food chores as assigned.
● Prepares necessary food and serving items or services prior to or after use.
● Participates in kitchen clean-up, inventory, and other kitchen tasks as required.
● Completes Food Service paperwork as needed.

Bus Aide
● Completes Bus Aide paperwork as necessary.
● Rides the bus and buckles children into the seats.
● Assists with children getting on and off the bus.
● Make sure that students are safe while riding the bus.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
● Knowledge of the basics of working with children from birth to five.
● Knowledge of Active Supervision strategies to keep children safe by: Setting up the environment to be
able to see children around the room at all times, Position yourself to see and hear all children in your
care, Count and using Face to Name while transitioning in and out of the classroom, Listen for potential
danger, Anticipate children’s behavior to predict what the child will do next, and Engage and Redirect to
assist the children and help solve problems.
● The ability to maintain strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start children, families, and staff in
accordance with established policies, procedures, and other legal requirements, i.e., FERPA and
HIPAA.
● Knowledge of the purpose of Head Start/Early Head Start Programs.
● Knowledge of basic food preparation, serving, and sanitation practices.
● Basic computer knowledge of Word and Excel.
● Ability to access e-mail and the willingness to learn new programs as needed.
● Ability to read and follow program procedures and e-mails daily.
● Ability to follow directions and take initiative.
● Ability to work in diverse environments.
● Ability to work with children with disabilities.
● Ability to respect and respond appropriately to the culture, language, values, and family structures of
each family served.
● Ability to support family safety and health.
● Ability to engage in mutually respectful goal-oriented partnerships with families to promote parent-child
relationships and family well-being.
● Ability to enhance the parent-child relationship and support parents’ role as the first and life-long
educators of their children.
● Ability to act as a member of a comprehensive services team so that family service activities are
coordinated and integrated throughout the program.
● Knowledge of state and federal regulations pertaining to child abuse and neglect reporting and child
care licensing requirements.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
● Noise levels in the work environment may be moderate to loud.
● Work is typically performed in a classroom; kitchen and some office work may be required.

● Travel by car, bus, airplane, or train may be required for attendance at conferences, meetings, or other
duties at distant locations, in and out of state. In some cases, overnight travel may be required.
● Some evenings and weekend work may occasionally be required for events such as home visits,
parent-teacher conferences, Parent Club meetings, community and social events, and for providing
child care outside of regular work hours for scheduled events.

This position works in a preschool classroom with child-size furniture and seating. The position requires sitting
in child-sized chairs and on the floor; adverse driving conditions; bending; stretching; extended sitting;
extended standing; extended walking; stair climbing; kneeling; crouching; reaching; fine and gross motor skills;
coordination of hands-fine and gross; eye/hand/foot coordination; visual memory and discrimination; auditory
memory and discrimination; reading and writing ability; judgment; simple and complex decision making; and
lifting up to 75 pounds. This position is covered by the OSHA Final Rule Blood borne Pathogens Act, Category
A, with the potential for exposure to communicable diseases and pests such as head lice. This position is a
mandated reporter of child abuse/neglect and must have a Department of Human Services child abuse and
neglect clearance.

Personal qualifications require emotional maturity, willingness to cooperate with the aims of the program,
respect for children and adults, flexibility, patience, good personal hygiene, and physical and mental health that
does not interfere with responsibilities. Also, education or experience in collaborating with parents in the
education of their children.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
The minimum requirement is that the individual be 18 years of age. Individuals must have a high school
diploma or G.E.D. Some past experience working with preschool children is preferred. Must be willing and
able to obtain Basic First Aid and CPR Certification and maintain certification. Acceptable tuberculosis and
drug screening results, a clear criminal records check, and an initial health exam are required after the job offer
and prior to employment. Current and former Head Start employees, students, and parents will receive
preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified. Obtain within 2 years of being notified if
current or within 2 years of the date of hire if new employee and/or maintain CDA credential.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION
Saginaw Intermediate School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, disability, age, or national origin in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of Human Resources
Saginaw Intermediate School District
3933 Barnard Road, Saginaw, MI 48603
Telephone: (989) 799-4733, Fax: (989) 249-8756
Email: personnel@sisd.cc
Web: www.sisd.cc