Immediate need for a caring and energetic individual to join our team. Ideal candidate will contribute a positive, nurturing environment that is safe, clean and organized for children between the ages of birth to 3 years old. State of the art facility with a great team atmosphere. This position is full-time and runs the entire year.  High School Diploma or equivalent required with the ability to obtain a Child Development Associate Certification. Superior benefits package including ample leave time, health, dental, vision insurance, paid life insurance, and IPERS to name a few. EOE

EXPECTATION FOR ALL EMPLOYEES:

Supports the organization’s mission, vision, and values by exhibiting the following behaviors: excellence and competence, collaboration, innovation, respect, personalization, commitment to our community, and accountability and ownership

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Perform the duties as required to assist lead teacher in providing a safe, clean, healthy environment for the children in the classroom.

 ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Participate in lunch time activities by assisting with preparing and serving food, eating with the children, and cleaning up after meals.
2. Encourage the children to develop a positive self concept through supportive and cheerful interaction by assisting to create a developmentally appropriate environment where children are comfortable enough to verbalize feelings, question, explore, experiment and problem solve.
3. Assist with instruction by following lesson plan while adapting plans to meet individual learning styles. Promote successful classroom performance for each student.
4. Prepare and maintain all necessary paperwork and records according to CACFP guidelines.
5. Maintain an organized, clean classroom and present interesting ideas and activities to share with children.
6. Develop and maintain good communication while respecting confidentiality.  Establish rapport and trust with parents, staff, volunteers, and visitors in order to respond to children’s environmental needs.
7. Provide support in all areas of the classroom, including but not limited to, maintaining a clean, safe, positive environment, maintaining accurate confidential records within applicable regulations and performance standards, assisting in conducting developmental screenings and taking quality child observations.
8. Assist lead teacher in supervising students in non-classroom activities such as playground supervision and dismissal.
9. Provide assistance to children during daily napping (if applicable) and bathroom routine by offering direction and support when needed.
10. In the absence of Lead Teacher, step in and perform all responsibilities of substitute teacher using prepared lesson plans.
11. Perform other duties or complete other projects as assigned.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, and ABILITIES:

1. Ability to establish priorities and meet deadlines.
2. Ability to obtain and maintain a driver’s license, automobile, and current valid insurance in order to travel to designation locations.
3. Knowledge of Agency’s policies, practices and procedures.
4. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, management, and various other business and community contacts.
5. Ability to work with confidential information.
6. Ability to work in a team-based environment.
7. Ability to adapt to the organization’s changing needs.
8. Ability to pass a physical examination.

NOTE:  A review of this position has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of essential functions.  All duties and responsibilities listed above are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.  To perform this job successfully, the incumbent(s) will possess the skills, knowledge, and abilities to perform each duty or function proficiently.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education requirements for this position include Associate degree in related field or Infant and Toddler Center Based Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential or working toward CDA credential. Prior experience working with age birth to three children preferred. Computer experience a must. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

WORKING CONDITIONS:

This factor measures the surrounding or physical conditions under which a job must be done and the extent to which those conditions make the job disagreeable.  Consider the presence and relative amount of exposure to dust, fuel, dirt, heat fumes, contaminants, cold, noise, vibration, wetness, etc.

 Normal working conditions with the absence of disagreeable conditions

 GENERAL INFORMATION:

 The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.  Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.  Furthermore, this document does not establish a contract for employment and is subject to change at the discretion of the employer.