Day Care Specialist - Marillac

DAY CARE SPECIALIST - MARILLAC

Program: Homeless Services /Marillac Family Shelter

Location: Albany, New York

Type: Full-time; Non-Exempt 

Pay Range: $19.96 – $24.16 (Hourly)

Job Ref. #: 0508

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am – 3:30pm w/ flexibility

About Us: St. Catherine’s Center for Children is a non-profit organization located in the Greater Capital Region of New York. We offer a wide array of human services designed to meet the needs of vulnerable children, families and adults, including residential and therapeutic foster care programs for children and youth, Kinship support, homeless and community-based services for adults and families, a special education elementary school for ages 5-13, and so much more. St. Catherine’s is committed to cultivating a culture where all employees feel safe to bring their authentic and best selves to the workplace. Our DEIB initiatives are designed to foster an equitable, inclusive and diversified workplace; collaboratively embracing mindfulness, relevance, respect and solidarity. 

Our Mission: St. Catherine's Center for Children provides a comprehensive range of human services designed to offer hope, foster growth, and improve the lives of the children, families and adults we serve.

Position Overview: We are seeking a Day Care Specialist for our Marillac Family Homeless Shelter. This position ensures a safe, secure, healthy, clean, and positive environment for infants and pre-school aged children (ages 0-5 years) and their families, as they make their transition from homelessness through after-care.

This full-time position is M-F, 7:30am to 3:30pm w/flexibility to work hours outside of regularly scheduled hours, as needed.

Position Requirements:

• Ability to work: Monday-Friday, 7:30am – 3:30pm
• High School diploma (or) GED Equivalent is required; College preferred.
• Local travel is required; A current Clean and Valid New York State Driver’s License (actively licensed at least one year) is required. 
  • Staff in driving positions must be able to meet agency’s minimum requirements of our insurance policy for authorized drivers; including, but not limited to the minimum age of 21 at time of hire. 
• Proficiency in computer applications: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel), Google Business Workspace Suite (Gmail, Google Docs, Meet, Sheets, etc.), and use secure Internet practices.
• Capable of exercising ethical, independent judgment and discretion, handle sensitive data with strict confidentiality.
• Capacity and openness to work with individuals from culturally diverse and economically disadvantaged populations; many with mental health issues, substance abuse and developmental disabilities.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities include:

• Establish and maintain professional working relationships with residents; maintain appropriate personal boundaries; establish and maintain professional working relationships with staff members, in accordance with all agency procedures, policies, and practices.
• Assist with and facilitate recreational activities for children and conduct family-oriented programming.  
• Provide a safe and therapeutic environment in which children (infants and pre-school aged children) can be cared for while their primary caretaker is absent.  
• Maintain respect, support, care and a family atmosphere for residents of the facility and fellow staff members.
• Provide infant and pre-school children with age-appropriate developmental and recreational experiences.
• Provide parents the opportunity to develop practical child care skills.
• Ensure a safe, secure, healthy, and clean environment be reporting situations which need attention, and providing follow-up, as needed.
• Document interactions with families, using critical incident reports, intake information forms, progress note section of case files, log, etc.
• Collaborate with various staff members in providing recreational and educational activities and events for children and families.
• Respect the rights of others and protect all confidential information.
• Intervene in crisis situations and assist with conflict resolution as needed by providing mediation and facilitating communication.
• Participate in professional development programming on a regular basis.
• Maintain CPR/First Aid Certification.
• Clearly communicate concerns and suggestions to supervisor.
• Actively contribute to the maintenance of a “client-supportive” and respectful community.
• Safeguard and maintain all agency recreational equipment and space.
• Supervise families during activities at the facility.
• Transport families to planned recreational activities/events.
• Additional position-related duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor/ director.

What We Offer You*

• Competitive Pay with an Excellent Benefits Package
• Health Insurance options: Medical, Dental and Vision
• $600 Well-being Reimbursement Benefit
• Generous Combined Leave Time (CLT) and Paid Holidays! 
• $500 Employee Referral Bonus
• We are a 501(c) (3) agency, which is a qualifying employer for eligible staff under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Pension Plan with Aggressive Agency contribution
• Life Insurance – Automatic Benefit at no cost to employee
• Paid Training, including TCI and CPR/AED/First Aid Certification & Update courses, if role appropriate
• Tuition Reimbursement and Travel & Mileage Reimbursement
• Professional Development and Career & Growth Opportunities
• The Comfort of a Business Casual Environment
• Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging.

*To qualify, certain conditions may apply

EEO Statement: St. Catherine’s Center for Children is committed to creating a diverse environment and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, reproductive health and pregnancy, family history and genetics, disability, age, military status, veteran status, politics, or other beliefs, and any other characteristics protected by law.