Assistant Teacher - Early Learning & Care at Greater Philadelphia YMCA in Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania

Job Description:

POSITION PURPOSE 

Assist in planning and implementing daily program activities and curriculum for assigned classroom. Depending on position in classroom, may oversee classroom staff to ensure program quality. Ensure the safety, well-being and cognitive development of children. Engage and participate in all activities with the children. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

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  Read and be accountable for YMCA Policies, State Licensing Body (PA- DHS / NJ-NJ OOL) regulations, and Quality Rating System standards (Example: NAEYC, Keystone STARS, Grow NJ Kids, ACA). 
  


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  Supervise by being able to identify, SEE, HEAR, DIRECT and ASSIST to ensure the safety of each child in your direct care group at all times. Adhere to small group/ratio established by the state licensing agency. Accurately maintain attendance of the children in your care. 
  


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  Communicate effectively and timely with parents/guardians regarding children's program experience, progress (written as well as verbal). Maintain confidentiality, use sensitivity, and patience at all times. 
  


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  Provide quality Adult/Child interactions through engagement, positive and encouraging feedback, and asking open-ended questions. Maintain age appropriate verbal interaction guidelines at all times; exercising patience. 
  

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  Maintain knowledge of GPY Association policies and procedures, risk management, safety practices and applicable laws. 
  


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  Know the YMCA mission and be able to articulate it. 
  


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  Ensure that centers are maintained with quality learning materials, organized accordingly in labeled containers associated with appropriate Learning Center. 
  


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  Attend team-planning meetings monthly or more as needed. 
  


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  Attend and renew as needed all trainings according to YMCA policies and licensing requirements, including but not limited to 6 hours of childcare related trainings annually as detailed in your training plan. 
  

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  Direct and maintain control of environments that build children’s self-esteem. Utilize positive reinforcement techniques for redirection as a form of behavior management. 
  


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  Accurately maintain daily attendance records, emergency contact binders, and allergy reports. 
  


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  Maintain compliant paperwork (timesheets, parent/guardian communication, incident reports, weekly reports, child observation reports).  
  


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  Implement curriculum for program; ensuring child centered and developmentally appropriate learning experiences within YMCA, State Licensing, and Quality Rating System guidelines. 
  

Essential Duties and Responsibility Addition for All Staff: 

In order to ensure the health and wellness of the employees, members, and visitors of the GPY YMCA and all locations where GPY YMCA operates business, in addition to the essential duties and responsibilities listed on your current job description, the following are additional duties and responsibilities that may be assigned at any time where appropriate during the COVID-19 pandemic or any pandemic/communicable disease where the duties are appropriate. These additions are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive and other duties may be assigned and required as needed:  

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  Enhanced cleaning in areas where the employee is not directly/normally assigned as well as normally assigned areas. All employees are expected to assist in and support the efforts of the GPY YMCA when it comes to health and wellness for the facility and other locations where the GPY YMCA conducts business. All employees are expected to wipe machines, screens, computers, or anything that is used after they use it, all employees are expected to wash their hands on a frequent basis (recommended every 30 minutes if possible), and use hand sanitizer when hand washing is not available.  
  


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  Temperature Taking/Wellness Questionnaire Taking Assignments  
  


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  Directing Members/Visitors in areas where the employee is both normally and not normally assigned 
  


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  The employee may be assigned to areas other than their normally assigned area as needed to meet organizational needs. Examples of this include, but are not limited to, being assigned areas to count people, help direct flow of traffic in an area, being assigned to a specific area to assist with doors, and any other duty as needed by the organization.  
  

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  All other duties as assigned as it relates to COVID-19 or other communicable disease and/or pandemic.  
  

ROLE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS 

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  High School diploma or equivalent as defined in state licensing regulations. 
  


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  2 years’ verified child care experience 
  

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

All Greater Philadelphia YMCA staff are responsible for the following: 

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  Maintaining a clean, well-groomed appearance and keeping in compliance with the Association and Department Dress Code Policy.  
  


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  Exhibit strong leadership skills; possess a passion and commitment to member service and satisfaction, building and maintaining a culture of ensuring excellent Member Experience (MX). 
  

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  A commitment to Diversity and Inclusion. 
  


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  Perform other related duties as assigned. 
  

COMMITMENT TO SAFETY 

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  Maintaining the safety of all members and staff by identifying and correcting risk situations, and ensuring incident-reporting procedures are followed. 
  

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  Ensuring the overall cleanliness of the facility. 
  

COMMITMENT TO CHILD PROTECTION 

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  Ensure that children in the care of the GPY and participating programming are kept safe from harm. 
  


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  As a Mandated Reporter you are obligated to report ALL suspicions of abuse or neglect to the requisite state agency. 
  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

Ability to express or exchange ideas by means of spoken word to impart oral information and to convey detailed, spoken instructions to staff, members, children, and volunteers accurately, quickly, and loudly. Ability to perceive the nature of sounds by ear; ability to lift and carry 50-75 pounds; ability to maintain body equilibrium to prevent falling. Ability to move about on foot quickly; ability to stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl. Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time. Ability to judge distances and spatial relationships so as to see objects where they actually are and clearly see at 20 inches or less and 20 feet or more. 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS 

Exposure to high levels of noise and various environmental conditions.  

Acquire and maintain the following certifications: 

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  CPR/AED/O2/First Aid obtained through the American Red Cross (valid 2 years) 
  


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  Requisite OSHA online trainings (valid 1 year unless otherwise noted) 
  

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  Mandated Reporter Training (valid 5 years) 
  


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  Additional training and development specific to your role as reference in onboarding packet. 
  

OTHER 

At the YMCA we value the following attributes in personal character and behavior and believe that they are essential to attaining our mission: 

CARINGShowing a sincere concern for others.  

HONESTYBe truthful in what you say and do. 

RESPECTFollow the Golden Rule. 

RESPONSIBILITYBe accountable for your promises and actions 

OUR MISSION 

To translate the principles of the YMCA’s Christian heritage into programs that nurture children, strengthen families, build strong communities and develop healthy minds, bodies and spirits for all. 

Salary:

$14.00

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