TEACHER AIDE - Anchorage Child Development Center

The Rural Alaska Community Action Program, Inc., (RurAL CAP), founded in 1965, is a private, statewide, nonprofit organization working to improve the quality of life for low-income Alaskans. We represent every region of the state as one of the largest and most diverse nonprofit organizations in Alaska. We value input from and have respect for all people. We believe that Alaskans have the right to maintain their cultural heritage and close relationship to the land while protecting their economic and human potential. Our programs in early education, housing, and health and well-being serve to alleviate the root causes of poverty. We deliver innovative, community-driven solutions in response to Alaska’s most challenging needs while supporting vulnerable individuals and communities statewide.

Vacancy Name: TEACHER AIDE - Anchorage Child Development Center

Vacancy No: VN692

Employment Type: Full Time Non-Exempt

Location: Anchorage-Child Dev Center

Salary Range: $17.00-$20.00 DOE

Salary Period: Hourly

Benefits: Full time-eligible to participate in the benefit programs on the first day of the month after your 60th day of employment.

Supports the Teacher in providing high-quality early care and learning experiences for young children ages one to five years. Assists with planning and implementing a developmentally and culturally appropriate curriculum for children. Works in partnership with parents and other staff to provide a full range of Head Start services to children and families.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assists the classroom teacher in implementing the program for children in accordance with the policies and philosophy of the center.
2. Supervises assigned group of children and helps to promote positive social and emotional interaction among children, including guiding children through challenging behaviors and supporting children with respect to individual developmental and behavioral needs.
3. Assists classroom teacher with planning and implementation of interactive, engaging activities with respect to individual needs, age, culture, and socioeconomic background.
4. Develops and maintains respectful, cooperative, and culturally sensitive relationships with children, families, staff, and others.
5. Assumes an equal share of the joint housekeeping responsibilities of the staff, including daily opening/closing checklist to ensure health and sanitation guidelines are met as appropriate for scheduled shift.
6. Conducts parent-teacher conferences and home visits with parents and ensures that families’ strengths and needs are identified and addressed.
7. Supports a safe, healthy, nurturing environment for children including using the principles of Active Supervision at all times.
8. Assists with ensuring appropriate documentation of program operations for class assigned including conducting and entering ongoing observations of children, assessing children’s developmental levels, and utilizing the results in the planning process through the designated assessment system.
9. Supports community partnerships for the support of families and children.
10. Assists volunteers in learning and abiding by program philosophy while working with children.
11. Ensures compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations and standards.
12. Assumes the role and responsibilities of the classroom teacher in the absence of the lead teacher.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Attends required staff meetings, trainings, and professional development days.
2. Represents RurAL CAP with a high professional demeanor, which includes communicating with others outside the organization.
3. Performs other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

1. Ability to manage work time well, meet deadlines, and follow established policies and procedures.
2. Ability to monitor and assess performance of oneself and others to make improvements.
3. Effective verbal/written communication and listening skills.
4. Must demonstrate sound judgment, courtesy, professional boundaries, ethics, and ability to maintain confidentiality.
5. Ability to work effectively in a team environment and maintain constructive and cooperative working relationships with people of diverse cultures and belief systems.
6. Ability to complete job duties independently/without prompting.
7. Ability to operate desktop computer, laptop, telephone, copier, PC printer, and fax machine.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/JOB CONDITIONS:

1. Works in classroom, families’ homes, and general office environment.
2. Agency is a mandated tobacco, drug and alcohol-free workplace.
3. Exposure to varied weather conditions during outdoor time including snowy conditions and uneven surfaces.
4. Direct care position with assigned shift that may require flexibility to meet required teacher/child ratios in all classrooms.
5. Position may entail exposure to a wide range of children’s illnesses.
6. In emergency situations, may require the need to respond quickly to children’s needs.
7. Collaborative environment with an interdisciplinary team.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

1. The employee is expected to lift and carry 40 pounds of weight.
2. This job requires the ability to sit on the floor for extended periods and repetitive use of hands, wrists, and arms for handling, positioning, moving materials, and manipulating things.
3. Must be in good general health and free from serious physical, mental health and/or substance abuse problems.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:

This is a full-time position. The center operates 7am-6pm and assigned shifts will vary. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

TRAVEL:

Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-area and overnight travel may be expected.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS AND REQUIRED EDUCATION:

1. Must be at least 18 years of age.
2. Must pass Municipality of Anchorage, state and federal background checks, including fingerprints.
3. High School diploma or GED and experience working with young children.
4. Must have, or be willing to earn a center-based Child Development Associate (CDA); or an AA in Early Childhood Education within two years of the date of hire.
5. Must pursue an ongoing professional development plan including formal training certification or college degree as recommended by the program.
6. Must attend 24 hours of professional development training annually.
7. Must complete new hire orientation within 30 days of hire.
8. Must provide a TB screening and basic physical exam within 30 days of hire with follow-up every three (3) years.
9. Must complete Pediatric CPR and First Aid Training certification within 30 days of hire and maintain certification.
10. Must obtain Alaska Food Worker’s Card within 30 days of hire and maintain certification.
11. Must complete the State of Alaska Health & Safety requirements within 30 days of hire and maintain certification.
12. Demonstrated intermediate level of computer skills necessary.
13. Must keep all matters concerning participants in the strictest confidence as required by HIPAA privacy regulations.
14. Must be able to provide own transportation to meet work schedule requirements.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

1. AA or BA/BS degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or related field.
2. Two to three years of experience working with young children.
3. Fluency in English and native language of community.
4. Knowledge of child development from three to five years of age.
5. Knowledge of parenting and related issues.
6. Experience with Teaching Strategies GOLD, and SharePoint.
7. Head Start experience.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT (EEO)
RurAL CAP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability, protected veteran status or any other legal protected status.

BENEFITS:
As a full-time, regular employee, you will be eligible to participate in our competitive benefits programs on the first day of the month after your 60th day of employment, including but not limited to:

1. Medical, Dental & Vision
2. Life & Supplemental Insurance
3. 401K/Pension Plan
4. Flexible Spending Account/Health & Dependent Care
5. Health Savings Account
6. Employee Assistance Program
7. 20 days (160 hours) of accrued Paid Time Off
8. 12 Established paid holidays
9. Monthly Wellness Reimbursement