Float Teacher

The Salvation Army USA Eastern Territory; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 22,041 - 34,440; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Employer-funded Pension Plan

Comprehensive health care coverage

Eligibility for student loan forgiveness programs

Job summary

The Salvation Army USA Eastern Territory is hiring a Float Teacher in Cambridge, MA to support their childcare center. This role ensures a nurturing environment for children while complying with licensing requirements.

The ideal candidate should possess strong engagement skills and the flexibility to work with various age groups. The position requires a high school diploma or GED, with an Associate's Degree preferred and experience in childcare.

Competitive pay ranges from $16.00 to $25.00 per hour, depending on qualifications.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; Associate's Degree preferred.
• Experience working with young children preferred.
• Must meet all applicable state licensing requirements, including background checks and required training/certifications.

Responsibilities

• Provide classroom coverage during staff breaks and absences.
• Assist lead teachers with daily classroom activities.
• Supervise children to ensure their safety and well-being.

Skills

Understanding of child development and developmentally appropriate practices

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Flexibility and adaptability

Ability to effectively engage with children

Education

High school diploma or GED required; Associate's Degree preferred

Job description

The Salvation Army's Cambridge Corps is hiring a Float Teacher and offers an excellent benefits package to eligible employees, which includes:

• Generous paid time off every year, consisting of vacation and sick time, holidays, and up to three personal days.
• Employer‑funded Pension Plan (company contributions begin after one year of employment).
• Comprehensive health care coverage with low‑cost employee premiums, co‑pays, and deductibles.
• Eligibility for supplemental insurance plans, including Short Term Disability, AFLAC, and Voluntary Term Life.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Eligibility for the Federal Government's Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Most importantly— a job with a good purpose.

Location: 402 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA
Hours/week: 40 hours per week
Exemption: Non‑exempt
Pay Range: $16.00 – $25.00 per hour (starting pay varies depending on experience and qualifications)

The Float Teacher supports the childcare center by assisting in various classrooms as needed, ensuring a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment for children while maintaining compliance with all licensing requirements and center policies. The Float Teacher must be flexible, dependable, and comfortable working with children across multiple age groups.

In addition to providing classroom support, the Float Teacher plays an important role in the day‑to‑day operations of the center, helping to ensure consistent, high‑quality care and supervision so that every child is supported in a safe and positive learning environment.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide classroom coverage during staff breaks, absences, meetings, and vacations.
• Assist lead teachers with daily classroom activities and lesson implementation.
• Supervise children to always ensure their safety and well‑being.
• Support children's social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development through appropriate age interactions and activities.
• Help maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming classroom environment.
• Assist with meal service, snacks, and cleanup procedures.
• Help children with toileting, handwashing, and other personal care needs as appropriate.
• Follow all health, safety, sanitation, and licensing regulations.
• Maintain positive and professional relationships with children, families, and staff.
• Participate in emergency drills and follow center emergency procedures.
• Report any concerns regarding children's health, safety, or behavior to the classroom teacher or Program Director.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Program Director.

Qualifications

Education Requirements: High school diploma or GED required; Associate's Degree preferred.

Work Experience: Experience working with young children preferred.

Other Qualifications:

• Understanding of child development and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Ability to effectively engage with children of various ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to transition smoothly and adapt to different classroom settings and routines.
• Must meet all applicable state licensing requirements, including background checks and required training/certifications.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and willingness to support multiple classroom needs.
• Dependable, punctual, and reliable attendance.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Positive, supportive, and child‑centered attitude.
• Commitment to maintaining professionalism and confidentiality at all times.

Physical Requirements

The following physical and mental demands are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Sit, stand, walk, bend, squat, kneel, climb, twist, and move about the work environment on an occasional to frequent basis.
• Reach, grasp, push, pull, and handle objects such as files, office supplies, equipment, and reference materials, including reaching overhead when necessary.
• Set up, adjust, and operate office equipment and technology commonly used in a professional work environment.
• Use a telephone, computer, and other electronic communication devices effectively.
• Operate standard office equipment, including computers, printers, copiers, scanners, and other related devices.
• Occasionally lift, carry, and move items weighing up to 25 pounds.
• This position requires regular travel throughout the service area, including visits to schools, homes, courts, community agencies, and partner organizations. Evening and occasional weekend hours may be required to meet the needs of youth and families.

Cognitive And Professional Requirements

The employee must also possess the ability to:

• Apply sound judgment and make informed decisions in a variety of situations.
• Analyze information, think critically, and solve complex problems effectively.
• Plan, organize, and manage projects from inception through completion.
• Demonstrate creativity, innovation, intuition, and perceptiveness in addressing challenges and opportunities.
• Adapt to changing priorities while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines.
• Communicate effectively and collaborate with colleagues, youth, families, service providers, and community partners.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. The Salvation Army is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified job applicants, job candidates, and employees with disabilities to ensure they enjoy equal access to all employment opportunities and benefits of employment as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. EEO is the Law.