Summary

Responsible for:

• Implementing a wide variety programs and activities designed to promote language, motor development and social skills for developmentally and physically disabled children and/or adults in the Center
• Working with individuals who may have moderate behavior issues
• Ensuring the safety of program participants while involved in Center programs by remaining with program participants at all times until relieved by another staff member, parent, or caregiver. 

Primary duties

• Participates with the Coordinators and other members of the team to plan and implement most appropriate activities to achieve goals of individual service plans (ISP).
• Prepares materials for daily program activities; cleans after use and stores as appropriate; arranges program space in accordance with needs. 
• Participates in behavioral modification techniques
• Greets program participants upon arrival; helps them on and off buses and other transportation; attends and supervises program participants during field trips; attends to their personal needs (e.g. providing snacks or meals, taking to the bathroom, changing clothes, etc.)
• Engages and actively encourages program participants to participate in age-appropriate activities including games, sports, dance, and art. At locations with swimming programs, enters and remains in the pool with the program participant when engaged in pool activities. 
• Informs supervisor of problems and discusses how best to resolve them.
• Daily charting and monitoring of program participant ISP goals, including activities, progress and other issues. Reports issues, unusual behavior or changes in behavior, and other notable circumstances to a supervisor as instructed by the supervisor or per agency and outside regulations reporting requirements.
• Provides daily updates to the program participant's family/caregiver.
• As a Mandated Reporter is constantly vigilant for signs of abuse or neglect, not only for program participants but also for family members, caregivers, participants in swimming programs and others encountered while on the job. Reports any suspected abuse or neglect immediately. Actively participates in Mandated Reporter training to increase and refresh knowledge.
• Participates in safety and other training to develop program implementation and program participant development skills. 
• Provide physical support and care to participants, including lifting and transferring, toileting, and assisting with feeding and other personal care.
• While AbilityFirst’s programs are hands-off for discipline and controlling participants, on rare occasions the Activity Leader may be required to physically prevent participants from leaving the program or harming themselves or others.
• Actively participates in staff meetings and in-service programs in order to improve child development skills; seeks outside educational opportunities to improve skills. 

Secondary duties

• Performs any or all duties as required or requested by supervisor or Center Director.
• Safely transports program participants using company-owned vehicles. (Only permitted for Activity Leaders who are at least 21 years of age and have been included on our designated drivers list for insurance purposes.) 

Environment

The working environment for this position is a facility for recreational and similar activities for developmentally and physically disabled children and/or adults. It is clean and comfortable. It may include some minor annoyances such as noise, odors, and drafts. The Activity Leader is in a non-confined, environment in which he or she is generally free to move about at will. However, when working with program participants, he or she may not leave them unattended until replaced by another staff member or the parent/caregiver.

Physical activity

In the course of performing this work, the Activity Leader will spend the majority of the time moving in accordance with the needs of the program participants in their care. This may include sitting, standing, walking, lifting up to 75 pounds, cleaning, crouching, and entering a swimming pool with the program participant. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the job.

Equipment operation

The Activity Leader in this position operates the following equipment:

• Telephone 
• Computer 
• Copy machine
• Toys, educational materials, and similar equipment
• Adheres to all vehicle code and operation regulations, including speed limits, according to the State of California Department of Vehicles while driving an Agency-owned vehicle.

Position requirements

• These specifications are general guidelines based upon the minimum ordinarily considered essential to satisfactory performance in this position. Individual skills and abilities may result in some deviation from these guidelines.
• To perform effectively in this position, the Activity Leader is required to have:
• One-year prior experience working with children, preferably those with developmental and/or physical disabilities. Experience and/or formal classroom studies in education, special needs or related subjects are preferred.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must be able to pass a Livescan Criminal Background Check or possess a Criminal Record Exemption
• Passed with a grade of C or better 12 Semester or equivalent quarter units in Early Childhood Education or related/applicable courses that are acceptable to meet this standard
• A warm, friendly, positive personality, and enjoys helping children to grow 
• Ability to physically 
• Effective oral communication skills to communicate with children, parents and staff.
• Basic knowledge of maintaining a safe and secure environment for children

The Activity Leader is also required to meet State licensing health requirements, provide proof of a recent tuberculosis test, and submit to fingerprinting for a background check. In addition, new staff members are required to obtain Red Cross First Aid and CPR certification within their first six months of employment. May be required to have current California drivers' license and a driving record acceptable to the Agency's insurance carrier, if required by job duties.

The Activity Leader must be able to perform this job safely, without endangering the health or safety of him/herself or others.

Competencies

Dependability -Meets deadlines, works independently, accountable, maintains focus, punctual, good attendance record

Interpersonal Skills -Builds strong relationships, is flexible/adaptable, works well with others, solicits feedback

Job Knowledge -Understands facets of job, aware of duties and responsibilities, keeps job knowledge current

Teamwork -Accountable to team, works to meet established deliverables, appreciates view of team members, respectful

AbilityFirst

Team Values = Heart

Teamwork

AbilityFirst’s team draws its strength from a shared enthusiasm for each other’s success. We live our mission at work and away. In pursuit of that commitment, we enthusiastically build connections between us to continuously learn from one-another and actively seek feedback to improve our approach to the work.

Kindness

We nurture a warm and engaging work environment with trust and respect for one another. Rooted in our mission, we approach each other with humility, humor, and a generosity of spirit. We value diversity and cultivate open and honest communication to understand each other.

We Get the Job Done

AbilityFirst’s team members are open-minded and innovative leaders, guided by a strong moral compass. We approach problems with creativity and follow-through, holding ourselves and each other accountable for staying focused on the goals we set together.