Bilingual Program Aide -Beach Park, IL - Start Early

We are hiring in Beach Park for our Preschool Program.

Start Early Lake County provides high-quality care, best-in-class education, and a stimulating learning environment to children from birth to five years old. As a program that serves low-income families, Start Early’s research-based program helps children develop the literacy, language, early math, and social-emotional skills they need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

We are recruiting individuals who want to join us in this mission and share a commitment to our core values of appreciation & respect, empowerment, diversity, excellence, learning, and communication.

The Bilingual Program Aide is responsible for providing administrative support and customer service to Educare leadership, staff, families, partners, and other external clientele. Prepares and maintains administrative records, documents, and correspondence. The Program Aide is responsible for ensuring that practices and procedures adhere strtictly to guidelines, as set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the State of Illinois, and the Federal Head Start Performance Standards. In addition, the Program Aide will lead all aspects of service of breakfast, lunch, and snack and will provide children with meals that meet recommended daily nutritional needs. Also, the Program Aide will accept, count, and sign for food delivered by caterer

Reporting to the Site Administrator you will:

• Professionally administers all incoming calls, redirecting accordingly and taking messages as needed; greets guests in a professional, friendly, hospitable manner and directs them to the proper person or area.
• Maintains an organized, comprehensive filing system for center documents, supply orders, and other required materials. Places supply and food orders applying Start Early’s systems, managing the tracking, follow-up, and communication of order statuses.
• Assists with administrative-related duties for the division such as photocopying, laminating, creating flyers, faxing, filing, collating, and data entry.
• Ensures computers, copiers, fax machines, and other office equipment are in good working condition.
• Collaborates with other staff to identify and support event logistics including space, food, AV set-up, and materials.
• Assist staff and parents with the use of and trouble shoot problems with computers, AV, and other office equipment.
• Administers all incoming and outgoing mail (inter-agency, external, and facsimiles). Develops and maintains an effective inventory system for classroom and office supplies.
• Maintain inventory and order all food service supplies as necessary. . Ensure that all food is stored appropriately in refrigerators, cabinets, etc.
• Ensure Educare is in compliance with all USDA and State of Illinois licensing requirements.
• Plan menu with Nutritionist and other Food Aides as applicable.
• Deliver meals to classroom at designated times according to daily schedules. Provide mealtime table set-up for “family-style” meal service.
• Oversee breast milk/formula refrigerator temperature logs in infant classrooms.
• Conduct quarterly events for families with Nutritionist. Maintain appropriate personal hygiene rules in accordance with regulations.
• Develop and document corrective action plans for any problem areas identified. Use Universal Health Precautions as outlined in the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) licensing standards for child care centers.
• Develop and monitor schedule for cleaning of all kitchen equipment.
• Responsible for observation and daily documentation of children’s eating experiences and food consumption.
• Record all food substitutions, including menu changes, on a daily basis and file in USDA binder. Identify and document all recommendations for changes in food received. Monitor food approval of children.
• Other Job Duties: Follow all mandates of federal regulations, state and local licensing and Start Early’s philosophy, curriculum and Standards of Conduct. Maintains confidentiality according Start Early’s policies and procedures. Attend and actively participate in all required meetings and trainings, and reflective supervision. Ensures no child is left unattended and implements Active Supervision Strategies. Completes required continuing education and maintains required certifications.

Qualifications:

• Bilingual Spanish required (Must speak, read and write Spanish proficiently).
• Associates Degree or equivalent in Business or related field. Experience in Social Services/Education/Head Start may be substituted for educational requirement.
• Minimum of one to three years of experience in a clerical position, including experience providing reception/phones support, working with computers in a Microsoft Office environment, and using basic office equipment.
• Ability to be creative and proactive in assessing and managing multiple tasks and addressing shifting priorities and exercise independent judgment in repeated and routine responsibilities and organize and accomplish assignments in a timely manner with superior attention to details.
• Proficient with computer applications - thorough understanding of Microsoft Outlook, word processing (Microsoft Word), mail merge, procurement systems, spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel), databases, e-mail systems (Microsoft Office required) and Power Point as well as the ability to learn and master other computer technology /software programs as needed.
• One year experience in food service environment.
• Ability to work in a team environment and with diverse staff and families as well as external clientele and community partners.
• Ability to develop new procedures and apply new technologies as needed
• Ability to work as a cooperative and supportive team member.
• Must have knowledge of the Illinois Food and Sanitation requirements and the State licensing standards.
• Must be familiar with Head Start Performance Standards.

Salary:$47,500.00-$52,000.00

Our generous benefit plan includes: Comprehensive Health Plans, Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Holistic Wellness Program, Professional Development Program, 401k Contribution, Paid Volunteer Days, 6-months paid parental leave and much more.

Start Early is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to our core values by creating an inclusive environment for all staff.