Date: 3/16/2026
Program: Douglas Cherokee Head Start
Job Title: Special Service Assistant
Location: Jefferson County: Dandridge Head Start
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Full-time; 37.5 hours per week; School Year
Salary Grade 15: $15.00 per hour
Reports to: Area Coordinator, Curriculum & Assessment Manager, Head Start Director
POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the direction of the area coordinator, as part of the classroom teaching team, the Special Service Assistant (SSA) will assist in carrying out developmentally appropriate activities and supervision for preschool children. As an integral part of the teaching team the SSA will utilize training, skills and abilities to lead in dealing with challenging behaviors. The SSA will lead individualized and group activities with children with disabilities as well as the whole group. The SSA will maintain individualized documentation on disabilities services, will assist school systems with evaluations, and will follow-up to accomplish educational and social goals.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES / ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Assist in the implementation of a comprehensive child development program.
- Engage in ongoing assessment.
- Promote social and emotional development of children while maintaining appropriate classroom discipline using positive guidance techniques.
- Supervise and interact with children in all daily activities at all times.
- Will initiate the Individual Education Plan (IEP) process for children with disabilities.
- Assist in recording and maintaining documentation and submit reports as required.
- Participate in meetings and required trainings as directed by the management team.
- Provide positive behavioral strategies for children and families.
- Ensure behavioral management systems are implemented in consultation with the disabilities/ mental health manager and the mental health consultant.
- Will model research and evidence-based procedures for children’s behaviors .
- Will develop positive, nurturing relationships with children and families.
- Provide positive emotional support to identify and implement strategies to diminish challenges in the classroom.
- Provides continuous modeling and guidance on positive behavior intervention strategies and social skill building with children.
- Assists all children in their emotional, cognitive, and social development.
- Maintain accurate records/files and documents interactions and services.
- Will assist in all classroom and playground duties.
- Professionalism in regard to confidentiality is essential.
- Encourage parents, families, and community members to support our children and the program through gifts of time, goods, and/or monetary donations to ensure program local match (in-kind) as required to continue receiving federal funding.
- Will assume other duties as assigned by the area coordinator, managers, and the program director.
- Observe, assess, refer, and evaluate each child’s progress in the assigned classroom, and assist in planning and implementing classroom activities based on individual needs of the children to advance physical and intellectual competence.
- Welcome families to participate in their child’s learning activities in the classroom, at home, and in the community. Encourage parents to volunteer in the classroom to support their child and the program.
WORK SITE: Jefferson County: Dandridge Head Start
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None
OTHER JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Monitor, record, and document observations of child behavior.
- Advocate for Head Start children, families, and staff.
- Works with children who exhibit angry, aggressive, withdrawn or other correctable behaviors while at school.
- May participate in home visits as needed.
- Overnight and/or extended travel in and out of state, to attend conferences/workshops is possible.
- Does not discriminate in the provision of services and makes sure that no person is excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or benefit because of race, color, religion, gender (including sexual orientation and gender identity), age, citizenship, ethnicity, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, or veteran status unless those exclusions are based upon bona fide qualifications mandated by program service eligibility criteria.
ROLE QUALIFICATIONS:
Education Requirements:
- Prefer degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, or a related degree or credential.
- Minimum of High school diploma or GED
- Must participate in specialized trainings as determined by the program.
Experience Requirements:
- Knowledge of adverse childhood experiences (ACES) and the impact on children/families.
- Knowledge of positive behavioral support systems, behavior management, and early intervention.
- Knowledge of child development and early childhood education.
- Ability to communicate openly with community resources, professionals, staff, parents, and children.
- Evidence of emotional stability and maturity and must be flexible and open to change.
- Basic computer knowledge required.
- A natural concern, empathy, and enjoyment of Head Start children and their families.
- Able to remain calm and supportive when faced with challenging behavior.
Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Must obtain a pre-employment physical and screen for communicable diseases.
- Must obtain First Aid and CPR and keep updated.
- Must agree to pre-employment background check
- Demonstrate a willingness to continue professional development.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
- Must have the ability to lift children and to physically assist at all times.
- Will frequently lift or move weight as in lifting, carrying, and holding children (20-60#).
- Required to stand up to 95% of the workday.
- Must be able to interact with children on the playground or in the classroom. Ex: run, jump, dance, physical exercise.
- Must be able to stoop and bend to interact with children on their level.
- Able to physically and mentally react immediately to unexpected circumstances.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Application Deadline: This position is posted for internal applicants only. Applications accepted until 5:00PM on Monday, March 30, 2026.
To Apply: Send transfer request, application and/or resume to: Human Resources Manager DCEA Head Start/Early Head Start, 127 Cedar Street, Morristown, TN 37814. Email applications to jobs@dceaheadstart.org.