Illinois Residency Requirement: This position requires current Illinois residency to apply.

The SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start Program is looking for energetic and creative Child Care Assistants to join our team and provide a nurturing and safe classroom environment for children in our Head Start centers located in Belleville, Cahokia, Caseyville, East St. Louis, Lebanon, and Lovejoy, Illinois.  The program serves more than 860 families and children birth through age five, including children with special needs, throughout St. Clair County and consists of a team of individuals dedicated to making real change that leads to the success of children, families and communities.  If you are looking for a rewarding career and want to make a difference in children’s lives, then you have found the right path with a rewarding career at SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start.

The Child Care Assistant is an integral component of the Head Start/Early Head Start team. The Assistant is responsible for helping the staff with the implementation of learning experiences provided to the children. The selected candidate will help staff provide for with physical needs of children (such as feeding, dressing, sleeping and other activities), along with assisting in the care and maintenance of the center environment. The successful candidate will also coordinate and perform duties in the food service area of the Head Start center. The Child Care Assistant may be assigned other duties and responsibilities in support of the program’s mission and goals.

Head Start Child Care Assistant positions are nine- month (September - May), part-time positions.  Early Head Start Child Care Assistant positions are twelve- month, full-time positions working 37.5 hours weekly, Monday - Friday.  Hours may vary between 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.  Part-time Assistants typically work 30 hours per week, Monday through Friday, six (6) hours per day. Hours may vary between 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.  Final center assignments/status (part or full time) will be decided upon hire based on programmatic needs.  All centers located throughout St. Clair County, Illinois.  Currently, there are no Head Start/Early Head Start locations located on Edwardsville or Alton campuses.  Positions begin in late-August/early-September.

To apply to our Child Care Assistant openings:
Interested candidates must upload apply through the HireTouch system.  Applicants must complete ALL forms listed for the position.   Forms will be located under the job title on the Applicant Profile page in HireTouch (refresh browser if needed).

Applicants must submit an updated and complete Civil Service Application, which must include complete employment history, through HireTouch.  The application is the last form in the document package.  Your application should reflect a thorough list of relevant skills and experience related to the minimum qualifications listed for this position.  If the Civil Service application is incomplete you will not be considered for the position as our office will be unable to evaluate your submission to determine if you possess the required minimum qualifications. 

If qualifying by education or to qualify for a required educational prerequisite, you must submit your transcripts, including those for SIUE, at the time of application. Applicants qualifying for veteran’s preference must submit a copy of form DD214 at the time of application. For additional information, please visit: Eligibility Criteria and Point Allocation and Proof of Eligibility.   Please submit any other licenses or certifications related to the position at the time of application.

Applicants will be subject to a background check and drug screening prior to an offer of employment.  Some positions are represented by a union and may incur union dues.  For information on this or other positions with the Head Start/Early Head Start program at SIUE, please contact Sue Small at 618/482-8399.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville nurtures an open, respectful, and welcoming climate that facilitates learning and work. SIUE is committed to education that explores the historic significance of diversity in order to understand the present and to better enable our community to engage the future. Integral to this commitment, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville strives for a student body and a workforce that is both diverse and inclusive. We strongly encourage candidates from historically underrepresented groups, including women, members of racially minoritized groups, and individuals with disabilities, to apply.  For more on our Statement of Diversity, visit SIUE Mission, Goals and Plans 

SIUE offers an exceptional array of benefits to part-time employees (50% or more receive benefits accrued at percentage of appointment) including:
*Medical, dental and vision insurance; 
*Life insurance;
*SURS retirement plan;
*Supplemental retirement savings plans;
*Paid vacation and sick leave accrual;
*Generous holiday schedule/paid holidays;
*WorkLife programs;
*Employee Assistance Program (mental health and wellness);
*Employee discounts (local and national retailers);
*University tuition waivers (full-time receive 100% waiver of tuition*)
^{*Limits on credits hour per semester, student fees still apply.}
For more about our benefits and employee services, visit: https://www.siue.edu/human-resources/benefits   

 Minimum Qualification-
- Early childhood and school-age assistants shall have a high school diploma or equivalency certificate (GED). * 

*Please note: Newly employed staff shall submit a report of a physical examination completed no more than 6 months prior to employment that provides evidence that they are free of communicable disease, including active tuberculosis, and physical or mental conditions that could affect their ability to perform assigned duties. 

The full administrative code for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services required credentials can be reviewed at:  http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/089/089004070D01500R.html

Skills and attributes required for Early Childhood Care Assistants include:

1. Early childhood assistants will work under the direct supervision of an early childhood teacher or school-age worker and shall not assume full responsibility for a group of children, except as allowed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

2.  Early Childhood Care Assistants staff shall be able to demonstrate the skill and competence necessary to contribute to each child's physical, intellectual, personal, emotional, and social development.  Factors contributing to the attainment of this standard include:
- Emotional maturity when working with children;
- Cooperation with the purposes and services of the program;
- Respect for children and adults;
- Flexibility, understanding and patience;
- Physical and mental health that do not interfere with childcare responsibilities;
- Good personal hygiene;
- Frequent interaction with children;
- Listening skills, availability and responsiveness to children;
- Sensitivity to children's socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds, and individual needs and capabilities;
- Use of positive discipline and guidance techniques; 
- Ability to provide an environment in which children can feel comfortable, relaxed, happy and involved in play, recreation and other activities. 

In addition to meeting the above skills, Early Childhood Care Assistants shall generally demonstrate skill and competence necessary to assume direct responsibility for childcare including:
- Skills to help children meet their developmental and emotional needs;
- Skills in planning, directing, and conducting programs that meet the children's basic needs. 

3. Childcare staff shall be willing to participate in activities leading to professional growth in child development and education, and in training related to the specific needs of the children served.