Center Support Assistant

Job Overview 

The Floater-Custodian is a dual-role position responsible for providing classroom coverage and custodial support across multiple AVANCE Head Start and Early Head Start centers. The position assists teachers in maintaining high-quality learning environments while ensuring facilities remain clean, safe, and compliant with Head Start Performance Standards, Child Care Licensing, CACFP sanitation requirements, and AVANCE policies. Classroom coverage is the primary responsibility when assigned. Custodial and facility support duties are completed during non-instructional periods or as directed by the supervisor to ensure uninterrupted services to children and families. 

Job Responsibilities

Child Growth and Development

• Support teachers with classroom routines, active supervision, meals, transitions, and learning experiences. 
• Promote positive guidance, school readiness, and developmentally appropriate practices. 
• Assist in maintaining accurate child supervision and a safe classroom environment. 

Communication and Service Coordination

• Communicate classroom, maintenance, inventory, and safety needs to the Early Learning Lead and Director of Learning Environments and Center Operations. 
• Collaborate with teaching and operations staff to ensure continuity of services. 

Record Keeping and Reporting

• Maintain custodial logs, supply inventories, inspection documentation, and maintenance reports. 
• Document classroom observations or incidents when assigned. 

Ongoing Monitoring/Self-Assessment

• Conduct daily health and safety inspections of classrooms, playgrounds, and facilities. 
• Identify, correct, or report health, safety, and licensing concerns promptly. 

Planning and Implementation

• Provide classroom coverage during staff absences, breaks, trainings, or vacancies. 
• Clean and sanitize classrooms, restrooms, kitchens, offices, playground equipment, and common areas. 
• Replenish classroom and custodial supplies. 
• Perform minor repairs within assigned scope and report major maintenance needs. 

Establish and Maintain a Safe, Healthy, and Positive Learning Environment

• Maintain compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, Child Care Licensing, CACFP sanitation requirements, and AVANCE policies. 
• Support classroom opening and closing procedures. 
• Assist with emergency preparedness drills, evacuations, and center emergency response. 
• Maintain clean, welcoming, and developmentally appropriate learning environments. 

Other Duties

• Support center operations during staff shortages, emergencies, special events, and program activities. 
• Participate in required meetings, trainings, and professional development. 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

AVANCE Core Competencies

• Execution & Accountability 
• Problem Solving & Decision-Making 
• Communication & Influence 
• Collaboration & Teamwork 
• Stakeholder Focus 
• Adaptability & Continuous Learning 

Job Specifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to carry out each essential duty in a satisfactory manner. The job specifications listed below are representative of the education and experience as well as the knowledge, skill, and/or ability (KSAs) required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Education

Required

• High School Diploma and enrolled in a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential to be completed within 18 months of hire or have a degree in a related field. 

Preferred

• Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential 

Work Experience

Required:

• Prior experience working with children ages 0-5 years preferred.  
• Minimum six (6) months of custodial, facilities, childcare, or related experience.  
• Physical exam and background checks are required for this position.
• Travel required locally or long-distance up to 50% of the time for work-related meetings, functions or other assigned sites. 
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.? 

Preferred:

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Additional Skills

• Ability to transition effectively between classrooms and custodial responsibilities 
• Knowledge of health, safety, sanitation, and active supervision practices 
• Strong organization, flexibility, dependability, and communication skills 
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively 

Travel

• Ability to travel to various sites: Dependable transportation is required daily with a valid driver’s license, a clean driving record (subject to annual MVR (Motor Vehicle Report) check and policy), current auto liability insurance, and be bondable by AVANCE, Inc. 
• Travel required up to 50% of the time for work-related site visits, meetings, and functions. 

Equipment

• Computer, computer software programs and peripherals, resource materials and equipment, copier, fax, and other equipment applicable to the position. 

Working Conditions

• Work is generally performed in an office environment.  
• Noise level in the work environment is moderate to occasionally loud (examples: business office with computers and printers, light to moderate traffic, human voices).  
• Standard office equipment generally used includes: 
• Telephone 
• Personal Computer (monitor, keyboard, and mouse) or Tablet 
• Printer/Photocopy Machine 
• Calculator 
• May be required to operate a motor vehicle during the course of duties.   

Mental and Physical Demands

Maintain emotional control under stress; work with interruptions and deadlines; walking, standing, stooping, bending, pulling and pushing, use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; occasional: lifting/carrying, pulling/pushing 10-30 pounds.?Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. 

Environmental Factors

Occasional exposure to biological hazards (communicable diseases, bacteria, insects, mold, fungi, etc.). Occasional expose to weather related conditions when working in outside environment/neighborhoods and events.

ADA/ADAAA Statement

AVANCE is committed to equal opportunity in employment for persons with disabilities and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as amended, and any other applicable state and federal laws. Accordingly, AVANCE does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in regard to application, hiring, advancement, discharge, compensation, training or other terms, conditions and privileges of employment. Moreover, it is AVANCE’s policy to provide reasonable accommodations in employment to qualified individuals with disabilities so that they can perform the essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of AVANCE’s business or would change the essential functions of the position. Retaliation against an individual with a disability for utilizing this policy or seeking a reasonable accommodation is prohibited. Individuals with any questions or requests for accommodation should contact the Human Resources Department.