Clarification from the agency

Open to the public

Job Summary:

The Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) provides operations support services and business solutions to the community of 10,000 House Members, Officers and staff. The CAO organization comprises more than 650 technical and administrative staff working in a variety of areas, including information technology, finance, budget management, human resources, payroll, child care, food and vending, procurement, logistics and administrative counsel.

The House of Representatives Child Care Center (HRCCC), has been providing full-day, year-round, quality childcare for children of the Members of Congress, staff, and House support personnel since 1987. Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the HRCCC is a developmentally based childcare program where staff work as partners with parents in the development of the whole child, including their physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development. Our mission is to provide exceptional quality care and developmentally appropriate learning experiences in a safe, nurturing, and diverse environment to support the children and families of the House Community.

The incumbent serves as a Teacher Aide or Teacher Assistant and is responsible for assisting in the day-to-day delivery of exemplary child care services to the House Community. The duties and responsibilities will be carried out under the direction of the Lead Teacher and an Age Group specific Assistant Director. Incumbents will be assigned to an Infant (10 weeks to 12 months), Young Toddler (1 to 2 years), Older Toddler (2 to 3 years), Preschool (3 to 4 years), Preschool (3 to 4 years), Pre-K (4 to 5 years) classroom or be assigned as a Floater who rotates through classrooms to ensure appropriate coverage. The position does not have supervisory/managerial responsibilities unless otherwise directed.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities:

• Supports the day-to-day delivery of childcare services in assigned classroom. Provides care for children including changing diapers/toileting, feeding, and comforting; ensures all children’s physical, cognitive, and emotional needs are met.
• Provides active supervision of children, conducts daily child health and safety checks, and maintains child to staff ratios. Utilizes universal precautions; brings to Lead Teacher and Directors’ attention any relevant information or issues concerning or related to staff, children, and/or families.
• Prioritizes health and safety; monitors and responds appropriately to illness, injury, and other emergency situations.
• Participates in developmentally appropriate, child-centered curriculum and associated assessment planning, implementation, and documentation. Assists classroom teacher(s) and other staff with fostering a positive learning environment for assigned classroom(s).
• Develops familiarity and maintains compliance with all applicable legal requirements including House, Committee, CAO, and House Child Care Canter rules, practices, policies, and procedures.
• Treats all children, families, and staff with dignity and respect, allowing for individual differences.
• Establishes positive relationships with each child, family member, and coworker.
• Communicates effectively and professionally both orally and in writing; maintains confidentiality.  Remains calm in challenging situations.
• Monitors child learning and development and proactively provides feedback on curriculum and lesson planning.
• Contributes to the classroom, House Child Care Center, and CAO team; shows initiative towards the improvement of provided services by sharing ideas and participating in meetings.
• Accurately completes classroom logs, child records, and other classroom documentation in a timely manner as assigned. Maintains accurate records and logs in a timely and organized fashion and ensures that data confidentiality is maintained.
• Uses materials and resources effectively; informs administration of unusual problems and unanticipated constraints of resource requirements in a timely manner.
• Utilizes developmentally and situationally appropriate behavior management techniques.
• Contributes to lesson planning efforts on a day-to-day basis; leads activities as appropriate.
• Supports children and families through transitions including enrollment and withdrawal, between classrooms, to and from home each day, and between activities throughout the day.
• Seeks and attends ongoing professional development and demonstrate an attitude of continual growth.
• Performs other official duties and special projects as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• USAJobs Conditions of Employment

Qualifications

Experience and/or Education Requirements:

• Possesses high school diploma or equivalent. Child Development Associate (CDA) credential preferred.
• Experience working with young children and their families. 1 year of experience in an early childhood classroom setting preferred.

Knowledge, Skill, and Ability (KSA) and Competency Requirements:

• Knowledge of basic child development; ability to understand the developmental progress and identify the needs of all applicable children.
• Knowledge of applicable early childhood education standards.
• Knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations related to child care.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply principles and best practices related to behavior management, behavioral observation, teaching practices, and instructional methodologies.
• Skill in lesson planning.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with children and their families.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with tact, as well as the ability to exercise judgement and discretion.
• Ability to always maintain composure.
• Skill in documentation.
• Knowledge of allergies and dietary restrictions.
• Knowledge of sanitation guidelines and health and safety laws, regulations, policies, and standards.
• Ability to analyze problems and recommend appropriate solutions/changes.
•  Knowledge of and ability to use various automated systems, such as Microsoft Office tools, computers, mobile devices, phone systems, etc.
• All employees within CAO are expected to demonstrate the following general competencies: Accountability, Adaptability, Collaboration, Communication, Customer Orientation, Knowledge of Relevant Policies, Procedures, and Processes, Priority Management, and Problem Resolution.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

This position is in a school setting that is adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated. Normal safety precautions apply. The work involves light physical activity and may include moderate physical activity, such as moving furniture and equipment, lifting and moving children, pushing cribs/carts/strollers, and participating in planned physical exercises with children (e.g., jumping, dancing, running). The incumbent must be able to meet minimum physical requirements and work environment demands.

Security Requirements:

• Must successfully complete a criminal history records check.
• Employee may be subject to drug testing in accordance with the CAO Drug Free Workplace Plan.
• Must successfully complete a Public Trust investigation with a Child Registry check.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated using a structured interview process.