CHILD CARE AIDE

VACANCY ANN #:  STOI-25-019

TITLE:                       CHILD CARE AIDE

DEPARTMENT:      477 / CHILD CARE CENTER

LOCATION:              SPOKANE, WA

STATUS:                  REGULAR, FULL-TIME

SALARY LEVEL:    $16.66 -$24.18 / PER HOUR

OPENING DATE:    FEBRUARY 28, 2025

CLOSING DATE:    MARCH 14, 2025

SUMMARY:
The Spokane Tribe of Indians Tribal 477/TANF Program promotes and supports Tribal children and their families reaching their full potential of becoming healthy, productive, and self-sufficient. This is done in a way that protects and benefits the Tribal children, respects, and preserves their culture, values traditions, gives families access as well as input into the full range of programs and services to promote their self-esteem, independence, self-sufficiency, and their educational experiences.

The TANF Children’s Center provides a safe and developmentally appropriate environment that is culturally relevant to children and families which reside, work, or attend school on the Spokane Indian Reservation. The primary emphasis of the program is to provide Early Childhood learning in an educational setting. The Early Learning Center promotes competence in our children, parent alliances, community collaboration and proficiency in our staff.

All active investigations resulting in removal of any minor child under custody/guardianship of employee will result in immediate suspension.  Following completion of active investigation, any findings of child abuse or neglect will result in immediate termination of employment.

Employee is required to disclose any active investigations of crimes listed on the Secretary’s List of Crimes and Negative Actions (WAC 110-06-0120) during the interview/hiring process and throughout term of employment.

JOB DUTIES:

• Assist classroom staff in planning, prepping, and implementing activities in accordance with developmentally appropriate practice and program philosophy.
• Work with classroom staff to ensure a variety of materials, resources, and activities for children to explore, manipulate and use; both in learning activities and imaginative play which develop questioning, probing, and problem solving appropriate to developmental levels and learning styles of the children are utilized.
• Assist in language development by communicating thoughtfully throughout the day and in a variety of activities with children.
• Assist classroom staff in meeting the unique individualized needs of each child.
• Assist in all classrooms, including infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age.
• Assist in maintaining all learning space to ensure it is an enjoyable environment that encourages exploration and learning.
• Assist in providing a safe environment to prevent and reduce injuries of the children; observe and monitor children’s play activities.
• Promote an environment that contributes to good health and prevention of illness; instruct children in health and personal habits, such as eating, resting, and toilet habits.
• Attend to children’s basic needs by feeding them, dressing them, and changing their diapers.
• Support children’s emotional and social development, encouraging understanding of others and positive self-concepts.
• Support lead staff in utilizing positive discipline tactics with all children and recommend or initiate other measures to control behavior in accordance with program policy and individualized care plans as determined by classroom teaching teams.
• Actively participate in ALL quality improvement endeavors, including but not limited to meeting Washington State Early Achievers Minimum Operating Guidelines.
• Observe and monitor children’s play activities.
• Read to children and teach them simple painting, drawing, handicrafts, and songs.

·         Provide the children opportunities to understand and acquire communication skills through their thoughts and feelings.

·         Positively interact with the children assisting them in selecting or participating in developmentally appropriate activities.

·         Maintain an open, friendly, and informative relationship with children and families; and encourage their participation in the program.

·         Engage the children in appropriate language development through conversation and vocalization.

·         Assist in supporting the children’s positive self-image through appropriate conversations and positive guidance techniques including negotiating skills; utilizing positive guidance techniques and recommending or initiating other measures to control behavior in accordance with program policies.

·         Optimize all children’s learning opportunities through play.

·         Perform as a team member to assure that productivity outcome measures are achieved.

·         Maintain a friendly and constructive atmosphere regarding relationships with all co-workers and clientele.

·         Attend monthly staff meetings and designated training programs.

• Assist in preparing food for children and serving meals and refreshments to children as required by the Minimum Licensing Requirements and/or the Child and Adult Care Food Program requirements.
• Assist in organizing, cleaning, and storing toys and materials to ensure order in activity areas.
• Assist in maintaining classroom upkeep and sanitization on a regular basis.

·         Collaborate with lead staff members in providing education to the children including working with parents.

·         Support children’s learning by assisting lead teachers in planning and implementing learning opportunities based on child interest.

·         Assist in meeting all Federal, State, and Tribal regulations and policies with regards to the TANF and Childcare Programs.

·         Perform all work-related duties as required and assist with other duties in the Early Learning Center as assigned by direct supervisor.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of American Indian culture, traditions, and language is preferred.
• Knowledge of working with low-income children and families is preferred.
• Ability to learn and implement program requirements for early childhood/childcare services.
• Ability to obtain knowledge of human behavior and performance, individual differences in ability, personality, and interests, learning and motivation.
• Ability to obtain knowledge of early childhood developmental stages and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Ability to obtain knowledge of Creative Curriculum and associated assessment materials.

·         Ability to develop skills in observation and data collection.

·         Ability to support classroom staff in submitting reports in a timely fashion.

·         Skill in effective verbal and written communication preferred.

·         Ability to maintain positive communication among parents, co-workers, Tribal staff, public and private agencies in serving the customers while both on and off the clock.

·         Ability to obtain assistance from co-workers when handling conflict, complaints, and disputes.

·         Ability to practice tact, courtesy, and discretion.

·         Ability to work under stressful conditions, or to obtain assistance from the proper personnel during stressful times.

·         Ability to maintain dependable and punctual shiftwork to sustain a well-structured environment for the children served by the ELC.

·         Ability to work flexible hours, shifts and rotate between various classrooms when feasible.

Ability and willingness to change the way children are cared for in congruence with program policy and all quality improvement endeavors.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

·         Must be 16 years of age or older.

·         Must be enrolled and attending high school or an approved GED program or be willing to enroll in a GED program.

·         Ability and willingness to maintain absolute confidentiality of sensitive information for both external and internal systems.

·         Successful clearance of Criminal History and Background inquiry—Tribal, State and Federal.

·         Successful clearance of National Child Abuse Registry and Neglect Data System AND ability to maintain clearance at all times.

·         Current and up-to-date immunizations including a current negative TB skin test, annual influenza vaccine, TDap in lieu of Tetanus vaccine , Hepatitis B Vaccination—preferred and required within one month of hire date.

·         Ability to lift and maneuver small children on an ongoing basis and the necessary physical dexterity to work with small children 30-50 lbs. on average (bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling, lifting, etc.).

·         Bi-annual physical evaluation to assess ability to meet physical demands of position required.

• Employee must be willing to complete all assigned trainings pertinent to their position annually

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Previous experience working with children 6 weeks – 6 years

CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

·         Obtain the following certificates and licenses within the specified time frame:

o   Blood Borne Pathogens (3 months)

o   Food Handlers Certification (3 months)

o   First Aid and CPR Certification Infant and Child (3 months)

o   Complete Babysitting Basics training (3 months)

·         Any other requirements necessary to meet Spokane Tribe of Indians licensing standards; if not met upon hire, within first three months of hire date

Employee will be required to maintain all certifications and keep them current

MUST APPLY ON-LINE: https://spokanetribe.bamboohr.com/careers/405?source=aWQ9MjE=

*Indian Preference Applies – Indian Preference grants preference to any enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe.

*FBI Background – Positions involving regular contact with, or control over, Indian Children in accordance with the Federal Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act, Public Law 101-630

Confirmation receipt of on-line submission and interview status will be sent to the applicants e-mail address used when applying. Applicants are responsible to regularly monitor their e-mails.

Contact: Empero Corral HR Generalist, or Kammi Rosenbaum

                                    509-458-6576 or 458-6527

E-mail: hrfrontdesk@spokanetribe.com

Applications must be received in the Human Resource Department no later than 4:30 p.m. on the closing date.

The Spokane Tribe reserves the right to hire according to its Indian Preference Policy

All Applicants are subject to a Pre-Employment Drug Test

All Positions with the Spokane tribe of Indians are subject to a 90-day orientation period

Salary : $17 - $24