CHILDCARE TEACHER I/II

About the role

Fulfilling work with youth grades K – 6 in afterschool child care settings within the City of El Cerrito Recreation Department. Under general supervision, staff assist in and conduct a variety of youth recreation activities within the Childcare and Camp programs.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes, and supervises a variety of childcare and age-appropriate educational and recreational activities.
• Implements and enforces established policies and rules.
• Aids in the orientation, training, and direction of less experienced childcare staff; provides feedback for staff evaluations; performs related duties in the absence of the Recreation Coordinator, as assigned.
• Assists the Recreation Coordinator with ordering supplies including food; provides program information to the parents and general public.
• Maintains an appropriate and safe indoor and outdoor environment; ensures the health and safety of the children; prepares snacks.
• Counsels and interacts with children in a warm and positive manner.
• Maintains a clean and safe learning environment including classroom and outside play area; maintains clean and sanitized eating areas and equipment; ensures classroom supplies are available and in good working order.
• Administers first aid and adult and/or child cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as required.
• Attends trainings, workshops, and classes related to job duties.
• Receives and responds to questions and concerns; determines issue and resolves within established guidelines or refers to supervisor as appropriate.
• Maintains logs and records of activities including incident reports and training logs.
• Observes and complies with all City and other applicable mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.

Requirements

• Education: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade supplemented by at least 12 units of college level coursework in early childhood education, elementary education, recreation, physical education, or a closely related field. Transcripts required.
• Experience: The minimum age for positions in this classification is eighteen (18).
• Licenses and Certifications: Possession of a valid California Driver’s License or Identification Card to be maintained throughout employment. Possession of a valid Adult/Child/Infant CPR/AED and First Aid certifications from the American Red Cross or equivalent agency, to be maintained throughout employment. If assigned to a licensed childcare site, Adult/Child/Infant CPR/AED and First Aid certifications must comply with California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) requirements.

Qualifications

• Knowledge: Principles of providing functional lead direction and training. Principles and practices of child growth and development. Practices and methods of instruction, care, and supervision of toddler, preschool and/or school-aged children. Concepts of child development and behavior patterns of toddler, preschool, and/or school-aged children. Classroom management and teaching strategies. Seasonal, special events, and standard recreation program development, implementation, review and evaluation. Procedures and practices for maintaining classroom and playground safety. Behavior management techniques. Curriculum frameworks and development. Basic maintenance and cleaning practices. Occupational hazards and standard safety practices. Basic mathematics. Recordkeeping principles and procedures. Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility. City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols including basic first aid and adult and/or child cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) methods. Techniques for de-escalation and providing a high level of customer service by effectively assisting with the public, vendors, and City staff. Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination. Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software packages) to conduct, compile, and/or generate documentation.
• Ability: Provide direction to less experienced childcare staff. Plan, organize, conduct, and supervise the daily activities and operations of a classroom or playground setting. Plan, organize, and implement an effective curriculum that meets the individual needs of children. Apply basic child development principles, practices, and techniques when supervising children and conducting activities. Respond to behavioral signals from children that indicate a need for a change in teaching style or environment. Organize and implement day camp and recreational activities. Create and maintain a safe learning environment. Think and act quickly and effectively in emergencies. Maintain discipline, order, and safety in a crowded and noisy environment. Maintain facilities and equipment in a clean, safe, and secure manner. Maintain accurate logs, records, and basic written records of work performed. Perform basic mathematical calculations. Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed. Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing using the English language. Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines. Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Benefits

Seasonal, non-benefited position. In accordance with California state law, you are entitled to five (5) paid sick leave days per year. These days are eligible for use following your 90th day of employment with the City.

Pay

$23.98 – 30.58 per hour, DOE

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 1:00 - 6:00PM