STEAM Enrichment Specialist

 STEAM Enrichment Specialist

This is a full-time position with hours between 7:30-5:30 pm, Monday - Friday.

JOB SUMMARY:  To provide a rich and nurturing STEAM curriculum in line with developmentally appropriate practices throughout the entire children’s program.

 QUALIFICATIONS:

•  Must have a minimum of an AA/AS degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or another related field. Preference will be given to candidates with STEAM related certifications/training.
•       Must be at least 18 years of age and have proof of eligibility to work in the USA.
•       Prior to employment, must be able to pass criminal background checks via TBI fingerprinting and checks of TN’s registries including (sexual offender, neglect/abuse, meth offender, felon registry, etc.)

 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

•  Required to maintain knowledge of licensing standards, The Creative Curriculum and the CSEFEL Pyramid Model.
• Maintain knowledge and understanding of cognitive, social/emotional and physical needs of infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
• Must hold First Aid/CPR certifications and renew upon expiration.
• Must be able to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to relate to children of all backgrounds and abilities and build rapport with their families.
• Maintain knowledge of developmental standards, screenings and assessments.
• Strong computer skills in order to develop computer-based lesson plans, reports, and records and enter data into a variety of computer programs.

Physical Requirements:

To perform this job the individual must be able to carry out all essential functions without risking the safety of the children or endangering the staff person’s own health/safety. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the job. New hires are required to obtain, at their own expense, a physical examination which includes evidence of TB screening. Employment is conditional pending satisfactory results. This physical examination is required to be updated every 3 years.

 The following are considered essential functions of the job:

• Observe, see, hear and respond to children’s needs, emergencies and conflicts that may occur in the center or on the playground.
• To regularly be able to lift 30 lbs. from the floor to a waist high level
• To react quickly to any situation that may require the staff person to reach a child 20-30 feet away within 30 seconds.
• Ability to crouch to a child’s height, maintain eye contact at the child’s level, bend at the waist and frequently get down onto the floor, sit on the floor and move around the floor with children during activities. (up to 75% of the time)
• Be able to reach overhead to utilize equipment and to access items that must be placed out of children’s reach.
• Be able to mentally and emotionally handle the responsibilities of the job and the routine stress often associated with providing care to children with special needs.

 JOB DUTIES:

• Maintain an open, friendly and cooperative relationship with each child and family, encouraging engagement in STEAM related activities.
• Facilitate and nurture the development of each child’s self-esteem, trust and growing autonomy, focusing on increasing Social-Emotional Skill building.
• Respond quickly to children’s different and personal needs (verbal and non-verbal cues) temperament styles, abilities and cultures.
• Development and implementation of weekly STEAM activities which are developmentally appropriate. These should include a variety of activities and experiences that allow children to explore and develop curiosity, initiative, problem solving skills, creativity and a sense of self and belonging. Make adaptations/modifications to the plans for children with special needs as appropriate. These will be enacted by moving from room to room and spending an average of 30-45 minutes in each room depending on age, leading the daily activities.
• Contributes to classroom portfolios with examples of children’s work including recording observed progress, documenting anecdotal records, checklists, etc. Improving family engagement by encouraging family interactions with the portfolio and projects.
• Responsible for the overall cleanliness, maintenance and safety of the STEAM related materials as well as adherence to sanitation standards for daily routines, toys and materials.
• Work with parents to increase their understanding of child development and to encourage their participation in STEAM activities at home.
• Follow positive discipline procedures, including redirecting children’s attention to more appropriate behaviors as necessary.
• Maintain a harmonious working relationship with staff, management, contract workers and volunteers in the program.
• Participates in at least 42 hours of continuing education annually.
• Other duties as assigned by Director of the Chattanooga Children’s Program.

 Signal Centers is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to affirm the dignity and worth of every person. It is, therefore, the policy of the organization to practice and ensure the fair and equitable treatment of all employees with respect to race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation or ability and promote the full realization of this policy through all employment practices.