Early Childhood Educator

Governors State University; University (IL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Tuition waivers

Retirement options

Job summary

Governors State University is seeking an Early Childhood Educator (ECE) in the Family Development Center to support school-age children year-round, including Before and After Care and Summer Camp. The ECE will assist in classrooms when school is in session from August to May.

Responsibilities include implementing developmentally appropriate curricula, maintaining safety and daily routines, documenting attendance and nutrition practices, collaborating with co-ECEs, and engaging families.

Qualifications

• Possession of DCFS credentials for employment as a Child Care Worker.
• I-9 employment eligibility and verification.
• CPR and First Aid Certification and Food Handler Certification.
• Background checks and university clearance as required.

Responsibilities

• Implement an age-appropriate, developmentally suitable curriculum meeting DCFS requirements.
• Maintain daily routines and classroom management; ensure safety and supervision.
• Document attendance, meal counts, and health/medical information.
• Collaborate with co-ECEs and engage families and community members.
• Support school-age children across before/after care and summer camp activities.

Skills

Classroom management

Team collaboration

Health & safety

Family communication

Education

DCFS credentials

Childcare college credits

Associate/Bachelor in ECE

Job 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.

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. Assur[e?] 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/

Minimum Requirements:

1. 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.
2. 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).
3. 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.
4. At least 19 years of age and at least five years older than the oldest child with whom they work.
5. 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

1. 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.
2. 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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. As of September 30, 2017, all teachers, assistants, and aides are required to have an Illinois Early Childhood Education Level 1 Credential.

Desired Requirements:

Associate's 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

DOCUMENTATIONREQUIREMENT:

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).

RESIDENCYREQUIREMENT:

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

CREDENTIALASSESSMENTEXAMDETAILS:

This vacancy involves a Credential Assessment Examination, which consists of a review and rating of the applicant's 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’SPREFERENCEPOINTS:

• 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.