Since 1870, Erie Neighborhood House has provided the most comprehensive support immigrant and low-income families in Chicago need to thrive and has constantly evolved to meet their needs. Today, Erie House is a modern social services nonprofit with programming and resources for children and youth, mental health and community wellness, adult education and training, legal services, and more. Through these programs, we empower the people we work alongside to build powerful communities.

Erie Neighborhood House, a progressive social service agency serving the Chicago metropolitan area and dedicated to promoting a just and inclusive society, is seeking a Preschool Teacher Assistant to work in our NAEYC accredited Childcare Program.

In return to your commitment to Erie House and its mission to the community, you will enjoy excellent professional development opportunities, opportunity for growth, and have direct impact in building powerful communities. Be a part of one of the oldest and most respected Settlement House in the Chicago Land Area.

Reporting to the Lead Teacher, the Teacher Assistant’s basic function is to be responsible for actively participating in the classroom team in the education care and general development of the children following DCFS licensing, NAEYC, and Head Start standards.

Position Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with the classroom team, plans, prepares, and implements developmentally and culturally appropriate lesson plans for the classroom
• Engages and interacts with all children in the classroom to facilitate social and academic learning.
• Meets with the lead teacher monthly for supervision and support
• Uses active supervision techniques to supervise children at all times
• Promotes recognition, acceptance and positive interactions among children, families and staff in the classroom
• Welcomes parents into the classroom and works to develop a positive relationship
• Participates in recruitment of children and families for Erie House programs
• Opens or closes the classroom for the day as assigned
• Remains in the classroom to supervise children whose parents pick up late as needed
• Acts as an ambassador for Erie Neighborhood House Child Care
• Acts as a Director Designee for the center as assigned
• Monitors overall health and safety of the children as part of completion of daily health checks, and reports any signs of illness, injury, abuse or neglect to the lead teacher
• With the classroom team, identifies children who may benefit from specialized services and assists in completion of referrals
• Participates in quarterly team meetings with Family Advocate staff
• Participates in transition meetings as needed
• Attends monthly all staff meetings, agency meetings, and in-service meetings as required
• Maintains a current Illinois Gateways Registry membership
• Maintains five hours of Gateways approved trainings per program year
• Completes 20 hours of professional development training per program year
• Responsible for the program complying with Erie, the Board of Education and all State licensing requirements and performance standards, including promoting the health and safety of all children, following sanitation procedures and universal precautions, completing a bi-annual physical exam, complying with the Confidentiality and Child Abuse and Neglect Act as a mandated reporter, as well as the American with Disabilities Act and Erie’s Inclusion Policy
• Other duties as assigned

• AA in ECE or in school to obtain AA
• Must obtain an Illinois Gateway ECE credential level 4 (Working towards obtaining a bachelor's degree by 2024)
• Experience working in licensed day care center
• Bilingual/bicultural Spanish preferred
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
• Physical constraints required include but not limited to: the ability to lift and carry children and other items weighing up to 50 pounds, for purposes such as lifting a hurt child or lifting a child for the safety evacuation of the building during emergencies.
• Must be able to sit on the floor for extended periods of time.
• Demonstrates the following qualities: self-motivated, self-directed, follows directions, makes good judgments, creative, reliable, and dependable.
• Exhibits sincere interest in working with children and is knowledgeable regarding children's development and growth.
• Ability to respond immediately to any emergency situation.
• Provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States
• Upon offer of employment, must complete all forms related to hiring, including Erie’s application and employment status. Must provide three letters of recommendation. In addition, must complete all DCFS licensing forms, including a criminal background check, fingerprinting, and a child abuse and neglect background check

TEAM MEMBER BENEFITS

• Compensation of $36,400 - $37,000 salary ($17.50 - $17.78 an hour) based on experience.
• Work / life integration
  • Generous paid time off

(examples below for full-time employment)

• 12 accrued sick days per year
• 3 personal days
• Paid birthday off
• 8 paid holidays, including Juneteenth
• In addition to above paid holidays, paid week off between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day
• Vacation
  • Year 1 = 8 days
  • Year 2 = 13 days
  • Year 3 = 20 days
• Access to alternative and flexible work schedules and personal leave, where possible
• Two-weeks fully paid Parental Leave, for eligible employees
• Time off for school conferences and activities as well as bereavement leave
• Professional Development
  • Employer-sponsored learning and development programs
  • Paid day off annually for personal professional development
  • Tuition Assistance & Debt Relief Program, as budget allows
  • DEI Council-sponsored education and engagement series
• Wellness support
  • Employer-sponsored health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Employer-paid life insurance
  • Voluntary life and AD&D and shot and long-term disability
  • Flexible Spending Accounts for medical, vision and dependent care
  • 403b with employer match
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Yoga, Zumba and Book Club, when onsite

CBU STATUS: Union / Non-Exempt

Sign on hiring incentive upon hire $500 and another upon completion of 90 days.

Erie Neighborhood House is dedicated to creating a workforce that promotes and supports diversity and inclusion. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals without discrimination. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact us at hr@eriehouse.org.

NO TELEPHONE CALLS PLEASE!

MUST BE A MEMBER OF AFSCME OR JOIN AFTER 30 DAYS

ERIE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

ACCREDITED BY NAEYC & NATIONAL AFTER SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

RECOGNIZED BY DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE;

UNITED WAY MEMBER