Child Care Assistant - Full Time

Description

$16.50/hour

Monday - Friday; schedule varies

A Career with a Cause:

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. Our mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. The Y strengthens the foundations of communities and families through our key areas of focus, youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility and our core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. We are committed to this cause because a strong community is achieved when we invest in our children, health, neighbors, and values.

We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and grow. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

General Functions:

This position supports the mission and work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization. Under the direction of the Child Care Director, the Child Care Assistant will assist with all program activities, to include arts & crafts, music & drama, games, sports and other physical activities, group activities (small and large), science activities and experiments, quiet and homework time, Character Development, teambuilding, and Discovery Learning Centers. This position will support all child care programs at the North Area YMCA.  The Child Care Assistant assures the well-being for each participant in line with YMCA of the USA guidelines and association policies in accordance with their training.

Essential Functions:

•  Models the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
•  Develops and maintains positive relationships with individuals and groups at all levels of the organization; supporting members connect with each other and the YMCA.
•  Maintains physical presence, always remains alert while on duty
•  Knows and reviews all emergency procedures and responds to emergency situations immediately in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures; completes related reports as required.
•  Be willing to locate to any site in need of staffing, to maintain the 1:12 ratios.
•  Provide support and leadership within the departments Summer Camp programming.
•  Assist the site staff as needed in planning and developing a lesson
•  Observe and follow the School Age Child Care program guidelines as well as the regulations set by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services and considers these practices when planning activities.
•  Greets children and parents by name whenever possible and extends thanks when appropriate.
•  Assist in promotion and leading of the School Age annual family event, to include retention initiatives.
•  Report to the program ready to work at designated times and prepared to stay until all the children have left.
•  Conducts the program in the Site Coordinators absence.
•  Performs general housekeeping tasks, cleans up after every activity and ensures that site and program areas are clean and well organized.
•  Maintains a positive, open relationship with all staff, parents, program participants, school administration and support staff and the community, identifies and resolves problems to ensure programs are meeting goals of the program, unresolved issues should be reported to the Site Coordinator.
•  Work a ½-day or full day shift when school is closed due to inclement weather or other unexpected reasons and the YMCA Snow Day Fun Club is held.
•  Complete a minimum of 30 hours of training every 2 years with the first fifteen hours being received within the first 6 months of employment as required by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (many training sessions will be held during the monthly staff meetings).
•  Knows, follows, and enforces all YMCA policies, rules, regulations, procedures, and staff expectations, including those for the prevention of child abuse.
•  Ambassador of all YMCA programs with a focus on department offerings and member engagement.
•  Performs equipment checks and ensures appropriate equipment is available as needed. Clean and store equipment per branch procedures.
•  Attends all mandatory meetings and trainings.
•  Is willing to step up, even if outside of the position description, to contribute to the overall success of the YMCA.

YMCA Leadership Competencies:

•  Inclusion: Values all people for their unique talents, and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity, inclusion, and global work, as well as cultural competence
•  Critical Thinking & Decision Making: Makes informed decisions based on logic, data, and sound judgment
•  Program/Project Management: Ensures program or project goals are met and intended impact occurs

Requirements

Experience, Education, and Qualifications:

•  High School diploma or equivalent.
•  And, two years’ experience working with children under 13 years of age.
•  Must be at least 18 years of age.
•  Excellent organizational and communications skills both verbal and written are essential to the success of this position.
•  Bring to this position maturity, responsibility, and a sincere interest in working with people.
•  Possess knowledge of various resources for programming ideas and the skills to utilize that information in assisting with the program.
•  Possess knowledge of age-appropriate activities and expectations of children ages 5 to 12.

NYS Office of Children and Family Services Requirements:

•  Prior to assignment to initial position, the incumbent will:
•  Complete an initial medical statement and tuberculin test providing satisfactory evidence that they are physically fit to provide child day care.
•  Within the first 30-days of employment, the incumbent will:
•  Undergo fingerprint and background screening as mandated by the NYS OCFS.
•  Obtain clearance on the State Central Register (SCR) and Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCL).

Trainings & Certifications:

•  Must complete annual safety, combating sexual-harassment, and child abuse prevention trainings assigned by human resources prior to direct service.
•  Must have current CPR and First Aid
•  Must attend and complete New Employee Orientation (includes Activate America Video 1), Listen First Level 1, and Quality Service Training within the first 90-days of employment.

Physical Demands:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

•  Ability to frequently stand, sit, walk, talk, hear, type, run, jump, kick, catch, throw, climb, kneel, bend, reach, balance, crouch or crawl, climb and/or balance, reach with hands and arms, handle or feel, stoop, lift/move and carry approximately 35 pounds, and use hands and fingers.
•  Must be able to lift and/or maneuver large gym equipment.
•  Special vision abilities required: distance, peripheral, depth perception and ability to adjust focus

Work Environment:

This job operates in a recreational and/or educational environment. This role routinely uses standard recreation and/or office equipment. At times, employees may be exposed to undesirable working conditions, communicable infectious diseases, and risk of injury from others. All employees are required to always follow the preventative health policies of the YMCA. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.