Early Childhood Educator

Early Childhood Educator

Salary

$15.53 - $17.86 Hourly

Location

Governors State University, IL

Job Type

Professional/Civil Service Status

Job Number

CS2026000007

Division

Family Development Center

Department

Family Development Center

Opening Date

08/21/2026

Closing Date

8/31/2026 11:59 PM Central

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

4

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Governors State University is seeking to hire an Early Childhood Educator (ECE) in the Family Development Center to be responsible for the school-age group of children all year, which includes the Before and After Care Program, in addition to School Age Summer Camp. When school-age children are in school from August to May, this ECE is expected to help in other classrooms as part of their essential responsibilities.

Essential Responsibilities

80%

• Early Childhood Educator (ECE) implements an age appropriate, success oriented, and developmentally appropriate curriculum meeting all DCFS requirements. Work with co-ECEs to design an environment and activities to meet the needs of individual children while remaining responsive and aware of group needs.
• Follow and maintain daily routines and schedule for all individual children in the class. Maintain classroom management by engaging the children in dally activities. Create a warm and accepting environment for children, families, students, volunteers, and community members.
• Follow all DCFS standards as well as those in accordance with SACERS. Complete necessary paperwork when needed.
• Ensure the safety of the children in assigned group, inspecting indoor and outdoor toys and equipment daily. Assure that all children are always supervised by sight and sound.
• Maintain awareness of allergies and medical conditions. Administer medication as trained.
• Always maintain ratios, even if that means being asked to cover in another classroom to maintain ratios during naptime, at the end of the day, or the beginning of the day.
• Eat with children during mealtimes and encourage sound nutritional practices. Use and teach children the Family Style Meal Service.
• Must always maintain ratios, including assisting in other classrooms while teachers are having supervision or planning time.
• Assist with all classroom procedures, including washing hands and doing laundry, cleaning duties, including furniture and equipment, and all other health and safety standards.
• Float between classrooms as needed within the Family Development Center to best ensure quality of care.
• Report on any health needs of assigned children to the Health Service Director.
• Keep accurate attendance and meal count records using the Child Plus system.
• Under the direction of the supervising Center Director, workers help develop and implement curriculum to meet the physical, emotional, and creative needs of specific groups of school-age children in an environment where children feel safe, valued, and respected.
• Plans specific educational and developmental activities focused on STEM and a schedule of activities within the program outline, appropriate to the age level of the assigned children.
• Assists children with completion of homework assignments.
• During the summer months (June-August) and summer camp is in session, the ECE will also be asked to engage in field trips and swimming on a weekly basis (when applicable).
• Abide by program philosophies on parent involvement and parent participation.
• Document all important communication with families.
• Assist in completing all required documentation and reports and submitting in a timely manner.
• Attend training and complete coursework as required.
• Observe functioning for small groups of individual children and keep appropriate individual records, attendance records, meal counts, and child assessments as designed.
• Select, maintain, and inventory educational supplies and control utilization of equipment and materials within the classroom.
• Maintaining relations with, supports, and encourages parents to achieve a strengthening of the total family/agency relationship.

20%

• Comply with regulatory health requirements, a pre-employment physical and lift test; proof of MMR and DTAP immunization and initial TB test, and annual physical exam.
• Attend all meetings and training as required.
• Adhere to all plans, policies, and procedures of Governors State University, Family Development Center, DCFS, NAEYC, Early Head Start, and ISBE.
• Proactive Leader - works well without close supervision and demonstrates initiative.
• Assist with questions and problems courteously and promptly.

Hourly wage range: $15.53 to $17.86. This is a negotiated position.

This position qualifies for an expansive suite of fringe benefits including, various insurance options, paid time off, retirement and investment options, and tuition waivers. Visit: https://www.govst.edu/benefits/.

Required and Preferred Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Possession of credentials required by Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) for employment as a Child Care Worker in a licensed childcare facility.
• The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services required credentials can be reviewed at: http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/089/089004070D01400R.html. Reference DCFS work authorization requirement for Gateways to Opportunity Credentials, Sections 407.140 (c)(3)(C)(i) and/or (e)(4)(A).
• High school diploma plus 3120 clock hours of experience in a recreational program, kindergarten or licensed day care center serving school-age children or a licensed exempt school-age childcare program operated by a public or private school.
• At least 19 years of age and at least five years older than the oldest child with whom they work.
• Sixty semester hours (or 90 quarter hours) of credits from an accredited college or university with six semester or nine quarter hours in courses related directly to childcare and/or child development, from birth to age six.

OR

• One year (1560 clock hours) of child development experience in a nursery school, kindergarten, or licensed day care center and 30 semester hours (or 45 quarter hours) of credits from an accredited college or university with six semester or nine quarter hours in courses related directly to childcare and/or child development from birth to age six.
• Thirty semester hours of college coursework from an accredited college or university with six semester hours (or nine quarter hours) related to school-age childcare, child development, elementary education, physical education, recreation, camping, or other related fields

OR

• 1560 clock hours of experience in a recreational program or licensed daycare center serving school-age children or license-exempt school-age childcare program operated by a public school or private school, and six semester hours (or 9 quarter hours) of credit from an accredited college or university related to school-age childcare, child development, elementary education, physical education, recreation, camping, or other related fields.
• Child Development Associate Credential or equivalent. A minimum of 12 college credits (semester hours) in early childhood education, child development, or early childhood special education that encompass the following: child development and learning of children from birth through kindergarten; family and community relationships; observing, documenting, and assessing young children; teaching and learning; and professional practices and development by July 1, 2020.
• Completion of a training program accredited by the American Montessori Society or Association Montessori International may be substituted for the courses directly related to childcare and/or child development required by this Section. Individuals holding Montessori pre-primary credentials may supervise children through age six. Person holding a Montessori primary or elementary credentials may supervise children six years of age or older.
• As of September 30, 2017, all teachers, assistants, and aides are required to have an Illinois Early Childhood Education Level 1 Credential.

Desired Requirements:

Associates or bachelor's degree in early childhood education/child development.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance

• Must pass the DCFS background check, clearance, and physical, as well as the University background clearance and basic lift/physical evaluation.
• I-9 employment eligibility and verification.
• Must have or be able to obtain CPR and First Aid Certification and Food Handler Certification Training (regularly renewed based on expiration dates).

Work Environment

• The work environment will be consistent with that of a normal office environment and a childcare element.
• Must be able to move and play with small children indoors and outdoors as well as perform routine tasks such as diaper changing and feeding.
• The use of computers, phones, fax machines, file cabinets, gloves and diapers, paint, paper and play dough is common.
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases, body fluids, and head lice is common.

Physical Demands

• Subject to standing, walking, sitting, bending, reaching, kneeling, pushing, and pulling.
• Yes, carrying/lifting is required on a routine basis. Indicate weight in pounds: 50

Supplemental Information

DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENT:

For consideration, applicants are required to attach the following:

1: High School Diploma or College/University Transcripts.

2: Online Application - Must be fully completed, include all dates of employment, employment status (full-time or if part-time, include percentages), job duties and responsibilities (full details).

3: Cover Letter.

4: Resume.

5: A list of three Professional References (We will only contact your references if you are a finalist).

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT:

Illinois residency is required within 180 days of the hire date.

CREDENTIAL ASSESSMENT EXAM DETAILS:

This vacancy involves a Credential Assessment Examination, which consists of a review and rating of the applicants Education, Experience, Licenses, and other qualifications. Applicants are required to provide electronic documentation as listed above to verify that the minimum qualifications for this position have been met.

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE POINTS:

Veterans may be eligible to receive additional points on a passing final examination score. To determine eligibility, submit one of the following documents to the Department of Human Resources:

1: Department of Defense - DD214 / DD215

2: National Guard - NGB22 Form

3: Discharge Orders

4: Reserves - DD256 Discharge Certificate

Note: Documentation must be received by the closing date of this posting.

This position qualifies for an expansive suite of fringe benefits including, various insurance options, paid time off, retirement and investment options, and tuition waivers. Visit: https://www.govst.edu/benefits/.

01

How did you hear about this job opportunity?

02

Are you a resident of the State of Illinois?

• Yes
• No

03

Have you attached a copy of your high school diploma or college/university transcript so your college credits can be considered toward meeting the minimum qualifications?

• Yes
• No

04

Have you attached your resume outlining your experience to meet the minimum requirements?

• Yes
• No

05

Have you attached all required certificates to meet the minimum requirements?

• Yes
• No

06

Veterans may be eligible to receive additional points on a passing final examination score. To determine eligibility, submit one of the following documents: 1: Department of Defense - DD214 / DD215 2: National Guard - NGB22 Form 3: Discharge Orders 4: Reserves - DD256 Discharge Certificate

07

Do you have a high school diploma PLUS 3120 clock hours of experience in a recreational program, kindergarten, or licensed day care center serving school-age children, or a licensed exempt school-age childcare program operated by a public or private school? AND Are you at least 19 years of age and at least five years older than the oldest child with whom you work? AND Do you have sixty semester hours (or 90 quarter hours) of credits from an accredited college or university, with six semester hours or nine quarter hours that include courses directly related to childcare and/or child development, from birth to age 6?

• Yes
• No

08

Do you have one-year (1560 clock hours) of child development experience in a nursery school, kindergarten, or licensed day care center and 30 semester hours (or 45 quarter hours) of credits from an accredited college or university with six semester or nine quarter hours in courses related directly to childcare and/or child development from birth to age six? AND Do you have thirty semester hours of college coursework from an accredited college or university with six semester hours (or nine quarter hours) related to school-age childcare, child development, elementary education, physical education, recreation, camping, or other related fields?

• Yes
• No

09

Do you have 1560 clock hours of experience in a recreational program or licensed daycare center serving school-age children, or a license-exempt school-age childcare program operated by a public school or private school, and six semester hours (or 9 quarter hours) of credit from an accredited college or university related to school-age childcare, child development, elementary education, physical education, recreation, camping, or other related fields? AND Do you have Child Development Associate Credentials or equivalent? A minimum of 12 college credits (semester hours) in early childhood education, child development, or early childhood special education that encompasses the following: child development and learning of children from birth through kindergarten; family and community relationships; observing, documenting, and assessing young children; teaching and learning; and professional practices and development by July 1, 2020.

• Yes
• No

10

Choose from the following three questions to meet the minimum requirements for this position. Not all may apply to you; however, you must meet all requirements for one of questions 6, 7, or 8. Check the box to acknowledge that you have read and understand this statement.

• Checkbox

11

The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. The information you provide will be verified and documentation may be required. Please be as honest and accurate as possible. You may be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a work sample or during an interview. By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any misstatements, omissions, or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or result in dismissal.

• Yes, I understand and agree
• No, I do not agree

Required Question

Employer Governors State University (IL)

Address 1 University Pkwy

University Park, Illinois, 60484

Phone 708-534-5000

Website https://www.govst.edu/