School Age Educator

ERIE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE•Chicago, IL

97d•$18 - $18•Onsite

About The Position

The School-Age Educator, under the supervision of the School Age Site Director, is responsible for implementing the program and providing direct service to children in a comprehensive School Age Program. The School-Age Worker will work 5 hours a day during school days and 8 hours a day (full time) during summer/school vacation/holidays, contingent upon funding. This role involves creating an environment that is reflective of the multi-ethnic population, conducive to enjoyment, relaxation, and socialization, with well-defined interest areas that promote positive interactions among children and staff. The educator actively participates with children ages 5-12 years old, participates in curriculum planning and staffing meetings, and implements individualized recommendations into daily programming. They are responsible for observing and documenting individual child needs, encouraging responsibility and respect, maintaining records, attending meetings and training, and ensuring the proper care of program equipment and supplies. Health and safety monitoring, parent communication, and assisting with program evaluations and accreditation are also key aspects of this position. The role also involves ensuring compliance with licensing requirements and maintaining DCFS ratio standards.

Requirements

45 hours of college courses with at least 6 hours in child development or related field OR 30 hours of college courses with 9 hours in child development/related field plus at least 1560 clock hours verifiable of experience in working with children
Resumes will not be reviewed if candidate does not meet this requirement.
Lifting and carrying children and other items weighing up to 50 pounds.
Demonstrates the following qualities: self-motivated, self-directed, follows directions, makes good judgments, creative, reliable, and dependable.
Exhibits sincere interest in working with children and is knowledgeable regarding children’s development and growth.
Documentation of eligibility to work in the U.S.
Ability to respond immediately to any emergency situation.
Background Check Required
MUST BE A MEMBER OF AFSCME OR JOIN AFTER 30 DAYS

Nice To Haves

Associate’s Degree preferred.
Bicultural/Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides an overall environment that is reflective of our multi-ethnic population, conducive to enjoyment, relaxation and socialization.
Has well defined interest areas, and promotes recognition, acceptance and positive interactions among children and among children and staff.
Works with the Site Director in development, planning and implementation of the School Age Program.
Actively participates with children ages 5-12 years old (5-6 year olds if at the Center Site).
Participates in bi-weekly curriculum planning meetings and weekly staffing in order to implement the individualized recommendations for each child into daily programming.
Implements a variety of creative, challenging, and interesting choices within the interest areas.
With the assistance of the Site Director, observes and documents the individual needs of each child and completes a biannual evaluation (SAYO).
Encourages children in developing a sense of responsibility and respect for their own, others, and the program property by modeling these behaviors appropriately.
Maintains necessary records, including: school sign out sheets, attendance sheets, updating educational files, anecdotal notes, etc.
Attends weekly staff meetings, monthly supervision meetings, special workshops and training sessions, including D.H.S. sponsored workshops to increase professional knowledge.
Assures proper care of the program equipment and supplies, including cleaning up the area with the children’s assistance, after activities.
Monitors overall health and safety of all the program children. This includes observing children as they pick them at the schools and reports any sign of illness, injury or child abuse/neglect to the Director of Expanded Learning.
Develops a positive relationship with parents, teachers, and children and is available for formal and informal conferences.
Attends parent meetings/presentations, upon request.
Assists in DHS’s annual program self-evaluation.
Works with Site Director in maintaining National Accreditation of the 5-12 year old program.
Participates in monthly all-agency meetings, annual agency retreat and Erie’s Annual Meeting.
Supports Erie’s fundraising efforts/events.
Attends mandated and other appropriate workshops/presentations that will promote professional development.
If working at the Center Site, communicate regularly with Child Care staff regarding logistics for space, food, and any other operations concerns.
Responsible for the program complying with Erie’s, and all City and State licensing requirements and performance standards, including promoting the health and safety of all the children, following sanitation procedures and universal precautions, completing a bi-annual physical exam, complying with the Confidentiality and Child Abuse and Neglect Acts as a mandated reporter, as well as the American’s with Disabilities Act and Erie’s Inclusion Policy.
Serves as an “in-ratio” staff to ensure that DCFS ratio standards are upheld at all times.

Benefits

Generous paid time off
12 accrued sick days per year
3 personal days
Paid birthday off
8 paid holidays, including Juneteenth
Paid week off between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day
Vacation Year 1 = 8 days
Vacation Year 2 = 13 days
Vacation Year 3 + = 20 days
Access to alternative and flexible work schedules and personal leave, where possible
Two-weeks fully paid Parental Leave, for eligible employees
Time off for school conferences and activities as well as bereavement leave
Employer-sponsored learning and development programs
Paid day off annually for personal professional development
Tuition Assistance & Debt Relief Program, as budget allows
Employer-sponsored health, dental, and vision insurance
Employer-paid life insurance
Voluntary life and AD&D and short and long-term disability
Flexible Spending Accounts for medical, vision and dependent care
403b with employer match
Employee Assistance Program