Job Title: Preschool Instructor

Department: Recreation

Reports to: Preschool Coordinator

Job Class: Regular Part-Time

Work Hours: School Year (19 per week)

Compensation: $17.00 DOQ

Position Summary

The Preschool Instructor is responsible for the delivery of the district's Preschool program including 2.5-year-old, 3-year-old & 4-year-old preschool, summer preschool, and preschool open house.

Work Schedule

The schedule is generally Monday through Friday, 9 months of the year, with an average of up to 19 hours per week, a maximum of 1,000 hours annually. It is essential to be regularly available during standard business hours to meet with staff, other businesses, and government agencies with occasional evenings or weekends.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Delivery of curriculum for the 2-, 3-, and 4-year-old preschool programs.
• Supervises and evaluates preschool participants during the duration of the preschool program.
• Prepares attendance sheets, lesson plans, and evaluation of programming.
• Prepares and follows lesson plans for children to participate in.
• Promotes and encourages participation in the program.
• Assists with emergency procedures and building evacuation.
• Problem-solves differences that may arise with parents or children.
• Inspects and recommends program equipment repairs and improvements.
• Requests program supplies for purchasing.
• Works closely with parents to promote an understanding of the growth and development of their child.
• Decorate the room with bulletin boards, pictures, children's artwork, and other hangings.
• Keeps classroom, and storage rooms, clean, neat, and orderly.
• Attends all preschool open houses and regular staff planning meetings.
• Monitors status and condition of program facility and physical locations of programming.
• Assists in interpreting resident needs and delivering programs and services to meet those needs.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Adheres to all policies and procedures outlined in the Policy and Procedure Manual, Personnel Policy Manual, and Safety Manual.
• Promotes a positive and friendly work environment.
• Maintains a working knowledge of all general and department-specific safety rules.
• Inspects work areas (use checklists) for compliance with safe work practices and rules.
• Properly orients new staff. Provides good job instruction training and in-service training to current employees.
• Enforces safety rules and improves employee and public knowledge of the same by confronting and correcting unsafe behavior and conditions.
• Reports and investigates accidents. Provides medical authorization for injured employees to obtain medical care.
• Makes sure necessary safety equipment and protective devices for each job or program are available, used, and properly maintained.

Required Qualifications

• Must have a high school diploma plus a minimum of two years' experience working with children as an early childhood instructor or other comparable experience. Preference is given to individuals who have attained or are pursuing a degree in Early Childhood, Recreation, Education, or a related field.
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• First Aid and CPR preferred, must be obtained upon hire.
• Valid State of Illinois driver's license required.
• Must successfully pass state Driver's Abstract Review and Criminal background screening.

Competencies

• Ability to cooperate with and interpret Park District philosophies in relation to governmental, public, and private groups or agencies, and to the general public.
• Ability to work harmoniously with fellow employees, patrons, community groups, and other units of local government.
• Ability to work in a team atmosphere, promoting positive work relations with both internal and external customers.
• Proficiency to read and write in English and organize effectively.
• Ability to communicate effectively within various settings, from one-on-one to group configurations.
• Capacity to maintain self-control and composure in difficult situations.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements

• Work area is both indoors, in a smoke-free environment with controlled temperature and fluorescent lighting, and outdoors at all park district locations.
• Exposure to noise distractions from employees, patrons, or equipment operation
• Exposure to chronic or infectious disease while performing routine first aid or emergency procedures.