Child Care Specialist

Chautauqua Opportunities Inc•Jamestown, ND

About The Position

The Child Care Specialist provides high-quality childcare at a court drop-in childcare facility, supporting children’s development while following established policies, procedures, and regulations. The role fosters relationships with court officials, law enforcement, children, families, staff, funders, and community partners. The position is full-time, 35 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at $18.81 per hour. It reports to the Child Care Council Director. The specialist implements daily childcare activities, supervises and engages children in developmentally appropriate play, assists with lesson planning, completes enrollment and other required documentation, and maintains records and data. The role also provides referrals and information about community supports and childcare providers, supports program compliance and the Summer Food Program, and helps promote childcare services throughout the county. The specialist backs up the Lead Child Care Specialist and completes related documentation when the lead is unavailable.

Requirements

High school diploma and two years of experience working with children and families; alternatively, an Associate degree in Early Childhood is preferred with one year of experience working with children and families.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Drive.
Ability to develop, maintain, and engage in positive relationships with people from various backgrounds.
Complete all required New York State background clearances.
Complete pre-employment physical exams and TB testing.
Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
Ability to provide consistent, even-tempered customer service and work compassionately with a diverse population.
Ability to lift up to 25–50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in Early Childhood with one year of experience working with children and families.
Bilingual in Spanish.

Responsibilities

Implement day-to-day activities at the court drop-in childcare program in alignment with service outcomes, performance targets, and agency goals.
Stay current on effective childcare methods and best practices.
Complete required enrollment forms according to contract requirements.
Supervise children in the facility and engage them in developmentally appropriate play activities.
Communicate or meet with parents and guardians about community supports.
Complete required trainings specified by the contract and OCFS.
Assist with lesson planning.
Follow agency and service-area guidelines, policies, and procedures, including New York State child abuse laws.
Participate in designated meetings; collect and report data.
Promote a positive agency and service-area image and foster relationships with funders, staff, partners, parents, court personnel, and law enforcement.
Obtain and track in-kind documentation and assist with Advisory Board facilitation.
Back up the Lead Child Care Specialist and complete documentation when the lead is out on benefit time.
Provide community referrals, including childcare-provider referrals based on customer-provided parameters.
Maintain provider and referral data in the Empire State Match database and collect and report related data.
Maintain Standards of Excellence files for compliance and support the Summer Food Program.
Collaborate with Child Care Council staff to promote childcare in the county through events, social media posts, newsletters, the website, coalitions, and presentations.
Promote the agency mission and participate in agency-wide committee work, planning, policy development, and volunteerism.
Provide consistent, professional customer service.
Adhere to organizational policies and procedures, gather appropriate documentation, track outcomes, and participate in organizational and divisional management systems.
Perform other duties as designated by the supervisor.