Float Teacher

The Salvation Army; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 18,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Employer funded Pension Plan

Comprehensive health care coverage

Eligibility for supplemental insurance plans

Flexible Spending Accounts

Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Job summary

The Salvation Army is hiring a Float Teacher for their Cambridge Corps, offering 40 hours per week. This role involves providing support across different classrooms to maintain a safe and engaging environment for children.

Responsibilities include assisting lead teachers, supervising children, and ensuring compliance with licensing requirements. Qualified candidates should possess a high school diploma, with a preference for an Associate's Degree, and have experience working with young children.

The position offers generous benefits including paid time off, healthcare coverage, and a pension plan.

Qualifications

• Experience working with young children preferred.
• Must meet all applicable state licensing requirements.
• Dependable, punctual, and reliable attendance.

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

Teamwork and collaboration skills

Education

High school diploma or GED required

Associate’s Degree Preferred

Job description

Float Teacher

The Salvation Army’s Cambridge Corps is hiring a Float Teacher and offers an excellent benefit package to eligible employees including

• Generous paid time off every year that includes vacation and sick time, holidays, and up to 3 personal days.
• Employer funded Pension Plan (company contributions begin after 1 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 per 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 a variety of classrooms as needed. This role helps ensure 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.

This job description is not all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential duties of the position. Other duties, responsibilities and tasks may be assigned.

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 age appropriate 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

• 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

• 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.