Teacher Assistant

Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc. is driven by its mission to empower, educate, and employ people to change lives and strengthen communities.

Reporting Relationship:

Reports To: Lead Teacher/ Site Director

Supervises (Position Title): None

Essential Responsibilities & Duties:

• Carries out the educational plan developed by the Teacher or plans and implements educational activities under the direction of the Teacher, or independently as needed.
•  Observes and assesses children in collaboration with the Teacher.
• Maintains educational records and writes reports as directed by the Teacher.
• Participates in agency-in-service and in studies related to aspects of child services.
• Attends center meetings, including after work hours meetings as designated, such as parent teacher meetings.
• Maintains the physical order of classroom supplies and equipment.
• Demonstrates an awareness of and cooperation with agency and center policies.
• Maintains knowledge current in the field including, but not limited to, attendance at seminars, workshops, etc.
• Performs to the maximum 8-hour work-day schedule as required.
• Recruiting for potential clients in the city of Chicago.
• Demonstrates the experiences, beliefs, attitude and awareness that indicate cultural sensitivity to the client population served.
• Ability to partner with clients individually, in family, to help them mobilize resources and their inner capacity to address problems they face.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with other team members, other Agency resources and outside services in addressing client needs.
• May contact parents as directed by the Teacher.
• Performs other center duties as assigned by the Teacher.

* Non-essential duties

Ada Core Competencies:

• Teamwork Is an effective team player who adds complementary skills and contributes valuable ideas, opinions and feedback. Communicates in an open and candid manner and can be counted upon to fulfill any commitments made to others on the team. This is distinctly different from those who withhold ideas and opinions, offer ideas or opinions that rarely add value to team discussions, have established a track record with many unmet commitments, and/or have not contributed skills that complement the skills of others on the team.
• Innovation Looks out for new and innovative approaches that will improve efficiency. Embraces and champions new ideas and encourages others to do likewise. Recognizes and rewards people and teams who are creative and innovative. This is in sharp contrast to those who tend to embrace the status quo, struggle with new approaches and discourage others when they are creative and innovative in the pursuit of increased efficiency or effectiveness.
• Excellence Has established a track record of producing work that is highly accurate, demonstrates attention to detail and reflects well on the organization. Is personally committed to high quality work and encourages others to have similar standards. This differs from those who cannot be relied upon to produce high quality work, pay little attention to detail, show little pride in a job well done and/or set a poor example for co-workers or direct reports

Child Development & Youth Services Essential Competencies:

• Adaptable: Adjust to new conditions, changes, challenges, and experiences.

A person who is adaptable:

• is open-minded and self-aware: recognizes, appreciates and is open to different ideas and approaches;
• believes, embraces, and actively participates in change processes;
• is flexible and seeks to identify multiple ways to solve problems; and
• is optimistic.

• Effective Communicator: Is understood by others (both verbally and in writing) and understands the ideas and perspectives of others.

 A person who is an effective communicator:

• delivers messages with clear, thoughtful, and concise information;
• actively listens by checking for understanding and is open to understanding others’ viewpoints;
• responds to questions and requests in a timely manner regardless of who they are coming from;
• accurately document interactions / meetings / action steps, commitments, etc.; and
• shows empathy and compassion for people and their circumstances.

• Uses a Growth Mindset: Embraces their potential to learn and grow and views successes and failures as development opportunities.

 A person who uses a growth mindset:

• uses challenges, mistakes, and obstacles as opportunities for growth, and learn through effort;
• is honest, open-minded, and accountable to self and others about their own growth and learning needs;
• seeks out and utilizes feedback and other resources for learning and development; and
• is curious and open to new ideas and experiences.

• Has Integrity: Honesty, trustworthiness, ownership, accountability, and respect are hallmarks of integrity.

A person who has integrity:

• is honest and fair with others;
• follows through on promises;
• treats clients, coworkers, and others with dignity and respect;
• produces high quality work to benefit the organization, peers, colleagues, and those we serve (regardless of personal gain); and
• exhibits strong moral principles by doing the right thing.

• Collaborator: Cooperates and works well with peers, colleagues and team members by giving and receiving ideas, comments, and feedback with an open mind.

A person who is a collaborator:

• contributes ideas, resources, and information with others;
• demonstrates capacity to understand and relate to others’ feelings and circumstances without judgment;
• is willing to help out others and take accountability for their share of the work;
• works to resolves disputes or conflicts and compromise when it makes sense to do so; and
• displays a positive attitude and demeanor when engaging with others.

Requirements

• Must have a 2-year degree in a related field or 60 credit hours with a minimum of fifteen (15) hours in Early Childhood Education.
• Must have at least ECE Level 3
• Must have 6 months to 1 year of classroom experience.
• Must be able to travel when needed for trainings.

Working Conditions:

• Possible exposure to blood and bodily fluids or tissues;
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases;
• Job requires standing for long periods of time, as well as stooping, squatting, and running.

Fulltime Role

Compensation

43,000- 45,500 Annually with 2000 sign on bonus.

Benefits

• Paid vacation
• Paid Sick Time
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 403(b) Plan  
• Life Insurance
• Long-term & short-term disability
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Family medical leave
• Tuition reimbursement
  

Benefit options and eligibility vary by Fulltime and Part-time positions. Compensation within the posted salary range varies based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, and performance at the time of the offer.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (K/S/A):

• This position requires the individual demonstrate the experiences, beliefs, attitude and awareness that indicate cultural sensitivity to the client population served.
• This position requires the individual possess the ability to partner with clients individually and/or in family to help them mobilize resources and build resilience.
• This position requires the individual possess the ability to coordinate effectively with other team members, other Agency resources and outside services in addressing client needs.
• This position requires the individual possess an understanding of evidence-informed practices, engagement strategies, boundary setting, concurrent documentation, working in a community setting, organizing, motivational interviewing, and family systems.
• Must be familiar with the operation of but not limited to: desktop computer systems, cell phone, laptop, notebook, netbook, and tablet type devices knowledge of community resources and ability to use a variety of applications on a computer
• Staff are expected to have the ability to work remotely from home if necessary, and with Supervisory approval. Safety Protocols while at the office and within the community are to be strictly adhered.

Mental/Physical Demands: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. 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 clients, and other employees of the organization. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Environmental Conditions: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate; work is performed in either an office or classroom environment.

This description documents the general contents and requirements of the job. It is not to be construed as an exhausted statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. The principal duties and responsibilities shown are all essential job functions except for those indicated with an asterisk (*). The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.