JOB SUMMARY

This position is responsible for assisting the lead teacher with all classroom activities.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must meet the minimum qualifications listed below. These qualifications are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required to perform this job.
Education : to perform this job successfully, an individual must be at least eighteen years old, have knowledge of child development and experience in child development centers, have a High School Diploma or a General Education Degree, and have an ECE initial certificate or equivalent as approved and verified in the MERIT system, ECE short certificate, Applied Associate of Arts (AAS) in early childhood education, child development or related field preferred.

Experience:

• Previous experience in a childcare or preschool setting preferred but not required.
• Strong understanding of child development and early childhood education principles.

Certificates/Licenses. to perform this job successfully, an individual must have the ability to successfully pass a Department of Children Youth Families (DCYF) background check and register in MERIT system. Completion of 30 hours STARS basic training required within six months of hire date if education and/or experience does not substitute. Food Handler’s Certification, BBP training, First Aid, and CPR, Proof of MMR Vaccination are required upon hire.

Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent communication skills with children, families, and team members.
• Ability to work collaboratively and take direction from the Lead Teacher.
• Patient, caring, and compassionate demeanor.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to multitask in a busy environment.
• Basic knowledge of health and safety protocols for children.

Physical Abilities : To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to:

• Work is active in nature.
• Regularly lift and/or more up to 10 pounds, frequently life and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or more up to 60 pounds.
• Frequent kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, climbing, bending, lifting, and twisting.
• Frequent standing from sitting and/or kneeling position on floor.
• Prolonged periods of standing
• Work is equally performed in indoor temperature-controlled office environment and outdoor uncontrolled elements.
• Frequent oral and auditory communication with others.
• Requires communication ability necessary to understand instructions and recognize hazardous, unsafe or poisonous materials and/or products.
• Occasional exposure to fumes, dust, orders and/or biohazards.
• Frequent use of computers and exposure to terminal screens.
• Frequent repetitive hand/wrist motions and finger manipulation.
• Clearly see 20+ feet, with or without corrective lenses and differentiate between colors (no color blindness), ability to focus
• Must complete a tuberculosis test
• Must be 18 years of age

Mental & Other Skills/Abilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must have the:

• Adaptability: ability to adapt to changes, delays or unexpected events in the work environment; ability to manage competing demands and prioritize tasks; ability to change approach or method to best fit the situation.
• Analytical Ability: ability to maintain focus for extended periods of time; ability to complete research projects with resourcefulness and persistence; ability to synthesize complex or diverse information; ability to use intuition and experience to complement existing data.
• Attendance: ability to consistently arrive and be able to work as scheduled.
• Computer/Technical Ability: working knowledge of Word Processing software, Spreadsheet software, Internet software
• Dependability: ability to follow instructions, both in written and verbal format; ability to respond to management direction; ability to complete tasks on time or notify the appropriate person with an alternate plan when necessary.
• Interpersonal Skills: ability to maintain satisfactory relationships with others, excellent customer service skills and a good overall understanding of appropriate human relations. Awareness of and sensitivity to the service population’s culture and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Judgment: ability to make prudent and timely decisions; ability to exhibit sound and accurate judgment; ability to explain reasoning for decisions.
• Language Ability: ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence; ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.
• Mathematical Ability: ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals; ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Motor Coordination: the ability to coordinate eyes, hands, fingers, and feet accurately and handle precise movements.
• Problem Solving Ability: ability to identify and/or prevent problems before they occur; ability to formulate alternative solutions to problems when necessary; ability to transfer learning from past experiences to new experiences of similar nature.
• Quality Management: ability to complete duties, on time and with absolute precision, at least 95% of the time; ability to edit the accuracy and thoroughness of one’s work as well as the work of others; ability to constructively apply feedback to improve performance, ability to generate ideas to improve and promote quality in work.
• Reasoning Ability: ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions; ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Supervisory Skills: this job has no supervisory responsibilities.

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each of the essential duties/responsibilities listed below. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties/responsibilities of this job.

• Assist the Lead Teacher in implementing age-appropriate activities and curriculum to foster the children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.
• Lead small group activities or one-on-one sessions to support individual children’s learning and growth.
• Set up and cleanup activities, ensuring the classroom is organized and conducive to learning.
• Help maintain a positive and structured classroom environment, ensuring children feel safe, respected, and valued.
• Support the Lead Teacher in managing children’s behavior and guiding them in conflict resolution.
• Supervise children at all times, ensuring their safety and well-being.
• Build strong, trusting relationships with children, providing encouragement, support, and positive reinforcement.
• Observe and document children’s progress, assisting the Lead Teacher in tracking development.
• Encourage children’s participation in daily routines such as meals, clean-up, and nap time.
• Assist in maintaining open communication with parents about their child’s progress and any concerns that may arise.
• Participate in parent-teacher conferences or meetings as needed, under the direction of the Lead Teacher.
• Work closely with the Lead Teacher, other assistants, and staff to create a cohesive and collaborative classroom environment.
• Participate in staff meetings and professional development opportunities to enhance teaching skills and knowledge.
• Follow health, safety, and sanitation protocols to maintain a clean and safe classroom.
• Ensure that children’s needs, such as diapering, bathroom breaks, and nutrition, are met in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Perform as a team member to ensure that productivity outcome measures are achieved.
• Attend staff meetings and designated in-service training.
• Uses appropriate administrative, fiscal, physical, and technical safeguards to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and security of CCEW client protected health information (PHI), per regulations outlined in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
• Will regularly utilize all forms of communication (email, text, phone, etc.) and database practices necessary for this position and as directed by supervisor.
• As a mandated reporter, follows all procedures outlined in agency policies and procedures to report to the proper agency when there is suspicion and/or confirmation that a child or adult has been a victim of abuse or neglect.
• Adhere to the tenets of Catholic Social Teaching and Catholic Doctrine.
• Performs related functions necessary to support the mission and core values of Catholic Charities.

While performing the essential duties/responsibilities of this job, the employee will be:

• Noise Conditions: exposed during a shift to constant or intermittent sounds at quiet to moderate levels of sound dependent upon the activities of the Center
• Exposure to Trauma: Employees of Catholic Charities Eastern Washington provide direct services to vulnerable community members including those who have behavioral health challenges and those who have been exposed to trauma.
• Heat: subject to high temperatures
• Cold: exposed to low temperatures
• Atmospheric Exposures: exposed to dusts, fumes, vapors, or mists
• Client Population may include people involved in gangs, with substance abuse concerns, homelessness and/or tendencies towards violent behavior
• Potential for exposure to illicit drugs and air-borne contaminants (proper PPE provided)