NV Ready Preschool Teacher Assistant - Durango Hills

About The YMCA

Established locally in 1944, the YMCA of Southern Nevada is one of the region's longest-serving and most-respected nonprofit organizations. We are committed to helping people of all ages, abilities, backgrounds, and income levels - ensuring everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential with dignity and that no one is turned away due to the inability to pay. From childcare to senior programs; sports to education; fitness centers to chronic disease management; and swim lessons to feeding the hungry, the Y is truly for all in its cause of holistically strengthening the foundations of this community.

About Nevada Ready

Nevada Ready! State pre-K (NR!PK) is a state-funded pre-kindergarten program designed to support 4-year-old children whose families have a household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. NR!PK implements high-quality practices through a variety of program requirements including highly qualified teachers, developmentally appropriate curriculum, and inclusive learning environments.

Responsibilities

• Interact, initiate, and encourage the children in the activities during the day.
• Help the children control behavior using a positive, appropriate approach and the YMCA’s behavior management technique.
• Maintain good communication with parents and help make each parent feel at ease within the school.
• Aid the teacher in planning activities for the group and offer suggestions and information about the children when needed.
• Develop a cooperative and supportive attitude within the room.
• Assist the lead teacher in record keeping by passing on observations regarding the children’s health, behavior, and development.

Avoidance of Abuse Risk Management Functions

• Adhere to policies related to boundaries with children.
• Attend required abuse risk management training.
• Adhere to procedures related to managing high-risk activities and supervising children.
• Report suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations.
• Follow mandated abuse reporting requirements.

Why Work Here?

• 10 Paid holidays
• Generous PTO plan that increases with years of service
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance
• 10% Retirement Contribution* and access to our 403(b) retirement savings account
• Annual merit increases for meeting performance goals
• Free YMCA Family Membership and program discounts
• Free summer camp and 50% off preschool for your children
• Become part of a collaborative team that includes dedicated maintenance staff, swim instructors, and children's fitness specialists - so you can focus on what you do best: teaching and nurturing young learners
• Opportunity to earn a college degree for free with one class per semester through Nevada's T.E.A.C.H. program
• Join an organization recognized as a Nevada Top Workplace
• Make a meaningful impact in your community
• Automatic retirement contributions are made to employees 21 years or older after contributing 1,000 hours of service in each of two years.

Culture

• We strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day.
• We are welcoming: we are open to all.
• We are a place where you can belong and become.
• 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 service driven: we go above and beyond to keep people coming back and apply a listen-first and solution-oriented approach to resolving conflicts.
• We are safety focused: we are proactive in keeping everyone safe and respond promptly to incidents as a team.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• The job requires the following physical demands:
• You will need visual and auditory ability to respond to critical incidents and the physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency situation.
• You will need the ability to adequately observe participant activities, enforce safety regulations, and apply appropriate management techniques.
• You will need sufficient strength, agility, and mobility to supervise program activities in a wide variety of indoor and outdoor locations.
• You will occasionally need lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
• The noise level is usually moderate.

Qualifications

• A high school diploma and six semester hours of early or elementary childhood study required.
• Two years’ experience in the field of early or elementary childcare preferred.
• Bilingual in Spanish/English strongly preferred.
• Strong skills in: communication, leadership, judgment, and creativity.
• A minimum age of 18.