Description

As part of YWCA Evanston/North Shore’s domestic violence team, the Children’s Group Worker provides daily group activities and childcare for children of adults participating in YWCA Evanston/North Shore services. The position is key in helping to create and maintain a warm and welcoming space for program participants of all ages.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct Service (90%)

• Collaborates with the Children and Family Services Coordinator to plan and implement daily group activities for children and youth ages 1- 14 years.
• Provides childcare to the children and youth of adult participants.
• Reports all observations of unusual behavior to the Children and Family Services Coordinator and other relevant staff in a timely manner.
• Assists with preparation and clean-up for youth and family activities and maintains program spaces, equipment, and supplies in a clean and orderly fashion, and replaces damaged toys as needed.
• Assists in scheduling and providing oversight to the activities of volunteers working with the children.
• Maintains the log of new children coming to the program and provides welcoming gifts upon their arrival.
• Provides documentation of children’s services in an online case management system.
• Provides feedback and positive communication to parents about their children’s activities.
• Maintains childcare signup sheet.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES (10%)

• Intermittently provides emergency backup to ensure adequate coverage of the 24-hour crisis line and residential shelter.
• Attends staff training and participates in agency committees as requested.
• Pursues professional development.
• Understands and adheres to all of YWCA Evanston/North Shore procedures and policies as well as YWCA Employee Handbook.
• Performs other duties as assigned by management.

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Experience and/or Training: At least one year of experience working with children. 

Licenses/Certificates:

•  Successful completion of the Illinois 40-Hour Domestic Violence Training Certificate within 3 months of employment.
•  First Aid/CPR within 6 months of employment.

Technology/Equipment: Beginner proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Some college-level coursework in child development, social work, counseling, or other related field.

Experience and/or Training:

• At least 2 years of experience working with children who have experienced trauma.
• At least 1 year of experience assisting in planning activities for children and communicating with parents.
• At least 1 year of experience creating and submitting case management notes.

Language: Fluency in Spanish

Licenses/Certificates:

• Illinois 40-Hour Domestic Violence Training Certificate
• First Aid/CPR

Technology/Equipment: Beginner proficiency with online case management systems

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

Intermittent (less than 15%), Occasional (15-45%), Frequent (50-75%), and Continuous (over 75%).

• Occasional local travel is required to work at other locations.
• Occasional evening and weekend work is required.
• Tolerance of prolonged and continuous stationary periods at a desk/computer
• Occasionally required to push, pull, lift, and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Must be able to move about the facility.
• Must be able to operate controls for computers and other equipment.
• Must be able to wash and clean equipment and supplies with water, soap, or disinfectant products.

The mental and physical requirements described here represent those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• Employee may be required to share office space or work in a cubicle in an open floor-plan office.
• Employee may be required to work from home for extended periods.
• Employee may be required to work outside in the facility play area.
• Employee will occasionally have meetings or work in other buildings.

The work environment characteristics described here represent those an individual encounters while performing the essential functions of this position.

*Note: YWCA is committed to pay range transparency. Candidates are offered compensation based on how their qualifications meet those of the position.

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