Child Development Program Aid ( Pre-K)

City of Albuquerque; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Albuquerque is seeking an Early Childhood Assistant to support the teaching team in a child care program, assisting in the classroom, kitchen, and safe transportation as applicable, with emphasis on creating a positive social-emotional learning environment.

Responsibilities include helping children develop social skills, supporting gross/fine motor and sensory development, maintaining safe, clean learning spaces, and assisting in cultural education and family communication.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Some experience with children preferred.
• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in classroom activities to support social-emotional learning.
• Assist in kitchen duties and dining room chores.
• Ensure safe transportation of children as applicable.
• Maintain a safe, clean learning environment.
• Support in inclusive settings and follow IFSP/IEP plans.
• Engage with families to communicate child needs.

Skills

Bilingual

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Position Summary

This position participates as part of the teaching team by assisting the Teacher in the smooth functioning of the classroom in order to provide an appropriate social emotional environment and to expand the child's ability to learn and grow. This position is responsible for assisting in the classroom, in the kitchen and/or maintaining safe and orderly transportation for children to and from the program facility as applicable. Classroom, center and bus assignments and routes may be changed as deemed necessary for program operations.

This is a safety sensitive position subject to random drug/alcohol testing.

Essential Functions

• Assists children in developing the ability to effectively handle feelings and to get along with others by providing tools that will assist with coping skills for present and future circumstances.


• Assists in providing stimulation with developing materials and activities that will promote the child’s gross motor, fine motor, and sensory development.


• Assists in providing adequate experiences for children's development in preparation for school and life experiences.


• Assists in providing a safe, healthy learning environment so that children have a comfortable learning and growing experience.


• Provides experiences and give responses which create an atmosphere of acceptance, support, and encouragement, fostering the development of a positive self-concept and the child's individual strengths.


• Assists in developing materials and providing activities related to the cultures of the community in order to increase the child's respect for an understanding of the local cultures.


• Communicates with parents and families to facilitate positive parental interaction with the program, an awareness of the child's needs and development, how the activities of the program promote positive development, and their roles in the child's overall education and development.


• Communicates clearly, sensitively and often to children displaying positive interaction with the child to foster positive self-esteem.


• Works in an inclusive setting with children with disabilities. Follows plans from IFSP/IEP to individualize the program.


• Relates positively with Teachers and other staff to acquire resources, process conflicts, and join in common tasks which support the overall program.


• Completes routine kitchen/dining room chores as assigned.


• Completes routine cleaning chores between janitorial services as needed. Prepares necessary food and serving items or service prior to use.


• Serves as the bus monitor for field trips


• Dusts, sweeps, mops, scrubs, buffs and vacuums classrooms, hallways, offices and entrance area as needed and in between janitorial services.


• Empties trash and garbage containers as needed and in between janitorial services.


• Cleans and sanitizes restrooms including restocking toilet paper, soap, and paper towels as needed and in between janitorial services.


• Maintains outdoor environment, if applicable.


• Repairs or submits requests for repair of cleaning equipment.


• Maintains inventory of cleaning supplies and equipment and submits request to supervisor.


• Handles custodial supplies, chemicals and equipment, maintaining proper use and records of supplies, chemicals and equipment.


• Adheres to company policies and procedures and safety regulations, refers problem matters to supervisor.


• Uses available resources and opportunities in order to improve knowledge and capacities in early childhood education including, but not limited to, attending all in-service and pre-service training.


• Attends all applicable DCFD and Department of Transportation required trainings as applicable.


• Participate in Early Childhood Educational and Training opportunities, such as the ECECD 45-hour entry-level training and/or CDA training to enhance skills, understanding and professional development.


• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supplemental Functions

• Responsible for understanding and adhering to disaster, fire and evacuation plans.


• Shows interest, enthusiasm and positive attitude toward job.


• Operates according to sound ethical principles

Minimum Education, Experience And Additional Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED


• Some experience working with children preferred.


• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.

Additional Requirements

• Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License or the ability to obtain by date of hire.


• Possession of a City Operator's Permit (COP) within six (6) months from date of hire.


• Possession of a valid CPR, First Aid and BLS in infant, child and adult within six (6) months of date of hire.


• Must complete a 45-hour entry level course or an approved three credit early care and education course or equivalent approved by the New Mexico ECECD prior to or within six months of hire.


• Child Development Associate (CDA) in setting worked in (Preschool or Infant/Toddler) within 1 year of hire date.

Working Conditions

Environmental

• The work is performed in a classroom setting and some environmental stress may occur.


• Some exposure to communicable disease may occur. Employee will be offered the opportunity to receive the Hepatitis B vaccination series.


• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Physical

• Ability to stand, bend, stoop, squat/kneel, to perform duties on a daily basis is required.


• This position requires the operation of office equipment, including computers. Adequate hand, wrist, and fine finger movement is required to manipulate equipment.


• Must be able to lift 45 pounds.


• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.


• Position requires hearing ability in order to hear / talk with parents, family members and staff face-to-face and to receive information over the phone