Classroom Assistant, EHS

Description

Applications accepted on an ongoing basis until position is filled.

Classroom Assistant, Early Head Start

OUR PURPOSE

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Denver has been serving Northern Colorado since 1927.  We serve tens of thousands of people each year in seven ministries: Marisol Services, Early Childhood Education, Shelter Services, Catholic Charities Housing, St. Raphael Counseling, Family, Kinship, and Senior Services; and Parish & Community Engagement.

Our employees are crucial to our success in achieving our mission to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to the poor and those in need.  Catholic Charities provides a work environment where self-motivated and mission driven individuals are recognized and rewarded.  

Catholic Charities is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to welcoming applicants and program participants of all faiths; as well as an inclusive and welcoming environment for staff, volunteers, and program participants. Candidates who bring diversity to our team are encouraged to apply.

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

A Classroom Assistant, Early Head Start at Catholic Charities:

Under direct supervision of classroom teaching staff, is responsible for assisting with coverage of the classroom. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Ensures the safety and security of children in classroom. 
• Develops positive relationships with parents and families of each child. 
• Assists other staff in planning, coordinating and completing student activities. 
• Provides classroom coverage for teacher absences and updates teaching staff upon their return (only alone with children if Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) qualified. 
• Assists in the organization and maintenance of classroom materials and equipment. 
• Ensures that the classroom is safe, clean, and orderly. 
• Takes direction from classroom staff regarding classroom organization and management. 
• Provides crisis intervention including, but not limited to, child abuse reporting. 
• Ensures safe environment by following safety rules. 
• Participates in the preparation, setup, serving, and clean-up of meals and snacks. 
• Administers first aid as needed. 
• Complies with all Colorado State Licensing regulations and Head Start Performance Standards. 
• Participates in required training, programs, workshops, and meetings concerning teaching methods, first aid/CPR, universal precautions, food safety, and other topics relating to the classroom, early childhood development, and classroom environments. 
• Enroll in and complete coursework for the Child Development Associate (CDA) certification, if not already obtained or do not have an ECE related degree, and complete within 6 months of the date of hire. Staff who are already Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) qualified are not required to enroll in and complete the CDA but are strongly encouraged to do so.   

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Ability to interact well with children 6 weeks-5 years of age.
• Ability to remember schedules, programs, policies, and other details.
• Ability to remain calm and calm others in an emergency and/or confrontational situation.
• Knowledge of the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and the appropriate techniques and practices for the client population.
• Ability to interact effectively as a team member and independently with Agency staff and with a diverse client base.
•  Must be currently enrolled in, or agree to enroll in, coursework to obtain the Child Development Associate (CDA) certification. The CDA must be completed within 6 months of the hire date. (Those with an associate's degree or higher in ECE are excluded and those who are already Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) qualified are not required to enroll in and complete the CDA but are strongly encouraged to do so).

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Experience effectively interacting with children ages 6 weeks to 5 years of age in a group setting preferred. Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) qualification preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.  Ability to write simple correspondence.  Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.  Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• None required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS   

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and use hands to handle and feel.  The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Must be able to lift up to 35 pounds in connection with the handling of children for the facilitation of programs, child safety, and potential emergency situations. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. 

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Salary: $19.24 - 20.81 Full-Time, 40 hours per week. 

Training: We provide a robust training curriculum that will support our employees throughout their career.  Training provided within the first year of employment includes: De-escalation & Safety; Public Speaking; Mental Health First Aid; Substance Abuse & Mental Health; Human Trafficking; Trauma Informed Care; and many more.

Benefits: In addition to being part of a higher purpose while working in a challenging yet rewarding environment, eligible Catholic Charities employees receive a generous benefits package, including:

• Extensive Paid Time Off (4 weeks accrual for new employees - increasing based on tenure) promoting work life balance. 
• 15 Paid Holidays annually (shelters are 24/7, so there may be a need to work some holidays, which would include holiday pay). 
• 403b Retirement Plan with Agency contribution of 4% & match up to 2% of annual compensation.
• Choice of 3 PPO Medical Plans (90% of employee's and 75% of dependent’s premiums is paid by Agency), Dental, & Vision starting the 1st day of the month following start date.
• May be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through Federal Student Loans and many more benefits.

ARE YOU READY TO JOIN OUR TEAM? 

If you are ready to make answer the call and make a difference, please submit your application online at ccdenver.org/careers.  We look forward to meeting you!

We conduct background checks as part of our hiring process.

Drug-Free Workplace.

Catholic Charities serves all with respect, dignity, and without discrimination in compliance with all local, state, or federal law. Consistent with applicable laws, Catholic Charities makes all decisions involving any aspect of employment or volunteer relationships without regard to any status or characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law, other than those positions which are deemed ministerial in nature (such as Chaplain requiring a clerical background). Unlawful discrimination and/or harassment is inconsistent with our philosophy of doing business and will not be tolerated. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

EEO/AA

Salary : $19 - $21