JOB SUMMARY: Provides high-quality early care and learning experiences for young children in the drop-in care center at Safe Harbor, including planning developmentally appropriate activities for children. Collaborate with Education Specialist to provide engaging and supportive services for families in the supportive housing program. Promote a healthy relationship between families and their community by implementing a strengths-based approach to family services. Maintain a safe and clean children’s space in the supportive housing building. Foster the belief that parents are the child’s first and most important teacher.

* Please note that funding for this position is only guaranteed through 3/30/2025.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• In collaboration with the Education Specialist provide daily supervision of children in the drop-in care center and responsible for planning and implementation of age and culturally-appropriate activities. Ensuring the classroom environment is interactive and reflects the cultural and socioeconomic background of children.
• Maintains classroom in accordance with all applicable health and safety regulations and standards.
• Helps to promote positive social-emotional interaction among children, including guiding children through challenging behaviors and supporting children of all abilities and ages within the program.
• Establishes relationships with families that are respectful, culturally sensitive, and nonjudgmental.
• With the Education Specialist, provides support and referrals to families to connect them with community resources (e.g. WIC, Child Care Assistance, Early Intervention Services, long-term childcare, etc).
• In collaboration with the Education Specialist, design and host children and family events and activities that reflect the needs and interests of the families in the program (e.g. parent education classes, homework club, art class, infant feeding classes, playgroups, etc.).
• Develops and maintains on-site community resource files.
• Documents services provided for families including sign-in/out system, referrals and program events/activities.
• Develops and maintains constructive and cooperative working relationships with children, families, staff, and others.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Required to attend staff meetings and trainings.
• Participates in Early Childhood Education and Supportive Housing meetings when appropriate.
• Represents RurAL CAP with a high professional demeanor, which includes communicating with others outside the organization, such as clientele, the public, and other external sources in person, in writing, by telephone or by e-mail in keeping with current policies & procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to manage work time well, meet deadlines, and follow established policies and procedures.
• Ability to exercise good judgement, courtesy, and tact.
• Ability to establish good rapport with people of diverse cultures and belief systems.
• Ability to monitor and assess performance of oneself and others to make improvements.
• Ability to negotiate to bring others together to try to reconcile differences.
• Effective verbal/written communication and listening skills.
• Must demonstrate sound judgment, professional boundaries, ethics, and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment and maintain constructive and cooperative working relationships.
• Must have the ability to operate the following equipment: desktop computer, laptop, telephone, copier, PC printer, and fax machine. Uses computers and computer programs effectively to enter data, create spreadsheets and process information, and to develop documents, and program and training materials.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/JOB CONDITIONS:

• Classroom, family homes, and general office environment.
• Agency is a mandated tobacco, drug and alcohol-free workplace.
• Position may entail exposure to wide range of children’s illnesses.
• In emergency situations, may require the need to respond quickly to children’s needs.
• Exposure to varied weather conditions during outdoor time including snowy conditions.
• Collaborative environment with an interdisciplinary team.
• Occasional evening and weekend work hours may be required to accommodate parent schedules for home visits, Parent Committee meetings and Parent Experiences.

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

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly to grasp, type, see, talk, hear, and lift and carry 40 pounds of weight by utilizing proper lifting techniques and working in a safe manner. This position will also be performing physical activities such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, bending, and handling materials.
• Occasionally performs sedentary activities that require sitting for long periods and repetitive use of hands, wrists and arms for handling, positioning, moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Must be in good general health and free from serious physical, mental health and/or substance abuse problems.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:
This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or hours vary with location. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
TRAVEL:
Travel is primarily local during the business day.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS AND REQUIRED EDUCATION:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must pass Municipality of Anchorage, state and federal background checks, including fingerprints.
• High School diploma or equivalent and Center-based Child Development Associate (CDA).
• Must pursue an ongoing professional development plan including formal training certification or college degree as recommended by the program in both family services and child development.
• Must complete Pediatric CPR and First Aid Training certification within 30 days of hire and maintain certification.
• Must obtain Alaska Food Workers’ Card within 30 days of hire and maintain certification.
• Must provide a TB screening and basic physical exam within 30 days of hire with follow-up every 3 years at employee’s expense.
• Must complete new hire orientation within 30 days of hire.
• Must complete the State of Alaska Health and Safety requirements within 30 days of hire and maintain certification.
• Must attend 24 hours of professional development training annually.
• Demonstrated intermediate level of computer skills necessary in order to use and create documents and reports, spreadsheets, workshop materials and slide presentations, and to enter data into intricate database programs and proficient use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Outlook.
• Must keep all matters concerning participants in strictest confidence as required by HIPAA privacy and the 42 CFR, Part II confidentiality regulations.
• Proven ability and willingness to be self-directed in problem solving and decision-making and perform basic assignment with little or no direct supervision while also working effectively as a team member.
• Responsible work ethic with reliable attendance.
• Must be able to provide own transportation to meet work schedule requirements.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Degree in Early Childhood Education, social work, family services or related field of study.
• Knowledge of child development from prenatal to 8 years of age.
• Knowledge of parenting and related issues.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.51 - $22.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work setting:

• In-person

Education:

• Master's (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Anchorage, AK 99504: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person