Child Care Buddy

The Opportunity Alliance • South Portland, ME

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The Opportunity Alliance is looking to fill a Child Care Buddy position to support our various classrooms in Portland, ME. Head Start promotes the school readiness of young children from low-income families through local programs. Head Start and Early Head Start programs support the mental, social, and emotional development of children from birth to age 5. A Child Care Buddy supports a lead teacher, parent, or family. Their main job is to keep kids safe, help with daily routines, and provide one-on-one attention and fun. This role focuses on being a playmate and emotional support figure for the children.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or equivalent, or be attending high school or be enrolled in a GED preparation program, or be enrolled in a CDA credential program (any one of these must be completed within 2 years of hire)
• Knowledge of the important role that culture plays in child & family development
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with teams
• Commitment to social justice and the mission of Head Start
• Must be able to successfully pass a criminal background, child protective service check & sex offender check (for contracts with Rider D)
• Must not be on the state or federal suspension and disbarment list
• Must be able to pass pre-employment physical and TB screen (ECE employees)
• Must be current on MMR and TDAP immunizations (ECE employees)
• Must be able to exert significant physical effort with frequent standing, walking, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, typing and frequently lift and carry small children or material weighing up to 25 pounds
• Driving or accessing other means of transportation may be necessary to attend meetings and trainings

Responsibilities

• Keep kids safe
• Help with daily routines
• Provide one-on-one attention and fun
• Be a playmate and emotional support figure for the children

Benefits

• Generous paid time off accrual
• 9 paid holidays per calendar year and up to 3 floating holidays per calendar year
• Excellent medical benefits at very reasonable cost
• Dental and Vision insurance options
• Agency paid basic life insurance and STD & LTD disability insurances
• 403(b) retirement with a generous agency match
• Tuition Reimbursement – offered once per year through an application process
• Qualified employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED