CHILDCARE TEACHER I/II

The City of El Cerrito Recreation Department is renowned for running high-quality, fun & safe programs for children – winning many “Best of the Bay” awards based on the high satisfaction of parents and children.  The “Department of F.U.N.” manages a full range of recreational and special activities for youth, adults and seniors, and provides activities, rentals of facilities, picnic areas, sports fields and tennis courts.  

Under general supervision of the Recreation Coordinator and/or Recreation Supervisor, staff in this position have the opportunity to do impactful and meaningful work helping children learn and explore in engaging and interesting environments. They assist in and conduct a variety of youth recreation activities within the Childcare and Camp programs. Childcare staff are comprised of Aides, Afterschool Teachers, and Preschool Qualified Teachers that work primarily in the Afterschool programs of the local elementary schools.  The staff also work in a Teeter Tots program for ages 2-4. These positions are seasonal and usually assigned up to 20-25 hours per week.  Hours include on-call, substitute and part-time.

Additional information:
• Program runs August 18th  – June 5th (many staff stay on for summer/year-round!)
• Program provides afterschool enrichment activities, snack, and homework assistance at Fairmont, Madera and Harding Elementary schools.
• All locations are in El Cerrito, close to BART and the Ohlone bike trail.
• $23.17 - 29.55 per hour DOE and possession of Early Childhood Education college units
• Shifts available: 1:30 - 6:00pm or 2:30 - 5:30pm, Monday-Friday

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Plans, organizes, and supervises a variety of childcare and age-appropriate educational and recreational activities.
• Implements and enforces established policies and rules.
• Assists with the orientation, training, and direction of less experienced childcare staff; provides feedback for staff evaluations; performs related duties in the absence of the Recreation Coordinator, as assigned.
• Assists the Recreation Coordinator with ordering supplies including food; provides program information to the parents and general public.
• Maintains an appropriate and safe indoor and outdoor environment; ensures the health and safety of the children; prepares snacks.
• Conducts field trips with children to off-site locations; transport children in city-provided vehicle as required.
• Conducts regular observations of children in the childcare program; participates in the developmental assessment process; meets and speaks with parents regarding behavior issues, program details, and payment information; prepares written informational items for parents regarding classroom activities, events, and occurrences.
• Interacts with children in a warm and positive manner.
• Ensures maintenance of a clean and safe learning environment including classroom and outside play area; maintains clean and sanitized eating areas and equipment; ensures classroom supplies are available and in good working order.
• Administers first aid and adult and/or child cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as required.
• Attends trainings, workshops, and classes related to job duties.
• Receives and responds to questions and concerns; determines issue and resolves within established guidelines or refers to supervisor as appropriate.
• Maintains logs and records of activities including incident reports and training logs.
• Observes and complies with all City and other applicable mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Basic administrative tasks and special projects including filing, auditing records for accuracy and completeness, printing and distributing rosters, role sheets and emergency forms, basic customer service, creating flyers and newsletters, developing curriculum, supply ordering, and other related functions.
• Performs related duties as required.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education:

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12^th) grade supplemented by at least 12 units of college level coursework in early childhood education, elementary education, recreation, physical education, or a closely related field.  Transcripts required. 

Experience: 

• The minimum age for positions in this classification is eighteen (18). Six (6) months of experience working with children in a childcare or educational setting.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License or Identification Card to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of a valid Adult/Child/Infant CPR/AED and First Aid certifications from the American Red Cross or equivalent agency, to be maintained throughout employment.
• If assigned to a licensed childcare site, Adult/Child/Infant CPR/AED and First Aid certifications must comply with California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) requirements.

Knowledge of:

• Principles of providing functional lead direction and training.
• Principles and practices of child growth and development.
• Practices and methods of instruction, care, and supervision of toddler, preschool and/or school-aged children.
• Concepts of child development and behavior patterns of toddler, preschool, and/or school-aged children.
• Classroom management and teaching strategies.
• Seasonal, special events, and standard recreation program development, implementation, review and evaluation.
• Procedures and practices for maintaining classroom and playground safety.
• Behavior management techniques.
• Curriculum frameworks and development.
• Basic maintenance and cleaning practices.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
• Basic mathematics.
• Recordkeeping principles and procedures.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols including basic first aid and adult and/or child cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) methods.
• Techniques for de-escalation and providing a high level of customer service by effectively assisting with the public, vendors, and City staff.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination.
• Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software packages) to conduct, compile, and/or generate documentation.

Ability to:

• Provide direction to less experienced childcare staff.
• Plan, organize, conduct, and supervise the daily activities and operations of a classroom or playground setting.
• Plan, organize, and implement an effective curriculum that meets the individual needs of children.
• Apply basic child development principles, practices, and techniques when supervising children and conducting activities.
• Respond to behavioral signals from children that indicate a need for a change in teaching style or environment.
• Organize and implement day camp and recreational activities.
• Create and maintain a safe learning environment.
• Think and act quickly and effectively in emergencies.
• Maintain discipline, order, and safety in a crowded and noisy environment.
• Maintain facilities and equipment in a clean, safe, and secure manner.
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and basic written records of work performed.
• Perform basic mathematical calculations.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing using the English language.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Additional Requirements:

• Must be 18 years or older; Appropriate clearance from background check/finger printing
• Proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
When assigned to a classroom environment, must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various District and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; ability to stand and walk between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.

When working in an external environment, position requires sitting, standing, walking on slippery surfaces, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stopping, squatting, crouching, grasping and making repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects, and children, averaging a weight of 25 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Employees primarily work in a classroom environment with moderate to high noise levels and controlled temperature conditions. Incumbents may be exposed to blood and body fluids rendering First Aid and CPR or when tending to children’s hygiene. Employees also work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, dust and air contaminants. Employees may interact with challenging individuals while interpreting and enforcing policies and procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Incumbents may be required to wear uniforms and may be required to work varied shifts as needed.

Salary : $23 - $30