EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Education and Experience Requirements

GED or high school diplomas from accredited schools are mandatory. Also preferred but not mandatory are certificates or diplomas of approved special skills training courses received in areas related to the position such as: childcare, childhood education, psychology, exceptional children, crisis intervention or mental health or a GED or high school diploma and 2 years of related work experience.

Job Requirements

Must be 25 years of age or older. Ability to relate sensitively and warmly to children. Evidence of emotional maturity and stability. Evidence of sufficient security and judgment to handle crisis situations and to use supervision constructively. Ability to recognize and to record significant individual and group behavior. Excellent communication skills. Physical stamina and ability to life a child up to 45 pounds. Ability to supervise children by sight and sound.

Job Summary

To provide children with a safe, loving, and nurturing environment where self-concepts are enhanced, independence encouraged, and individuality respected. To plan and execute the daily program developed by A Friend’s House.

Duties Include

• Assists, supervises and interacts with children during all activities.
• Counsels children when social, emotional, academic or adjustment problems arise.
• Offers activities that meet the emotional, physical, intellectual and social needs of the individual and the group.
• Plans, prepares, executes and documents developmentally appropriate activities based on A Friend’s House policies and procedures.
• Ensures that appearance, cleanliness and safe environment of AFH are appropriately maintained. Completes daily safety checks inside and outside of the building.
• Observes and evaluates each child’s progress and provides daily written assessments, reports significant individual and group behavior to appropriate persons.
• Works cooperatively with staff members and other needed professionals in the best interest of the child and the shelter.
• Attends monthly staff meeting and trainings, quarterly individual performance meetings, conferences and seminars and other shelter events.
• Prepares a warm, safe, nurturing environment that is neat, orderly and appeals to the child.
• Performs all work according to policy. Does not improperly use shelter property personally. Does not count as work time activities other than other than official business. Maintains supplies and equipment and turns in requests for supplies when needed.
• Uses appropriate positive discipline.
• Coordinates and assists with transportation of children as necessary.
• Keeps informed of AFH’s goals and current educational and social service issues.
• Attends a minimum of 24 hours of training per year.
• Develops, plans, and prepares materials needed to conduct the daily activities of the program of the shelter.
• Maintains children’s records.
• Encourage and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit, works cooperatively with others to achieve goals. Functions in and helps build a supportive team.
• Observes all policies established by A Friend’s House, Department of Human Resources, OSA, and the CDC’s universal precautions.
• Assists children with meal times, snack times and clean up. Supports and facilitates appropriate sized servings and self-serve dining.
• Maintains required documents and completes all shelter paperwork. (i.e. incident reports, minor accident reports, infant/toddler reports, bed check forms, medicine log, outing forms, activity documentation, progress notes, etc.)
• Accepts temporary work assignment in the event regularly scheduled personnel are not available, i.e. answering telephone or preparing meals.
• Ensures that all indoor and outdoor equipment is in good working condition and is used and maintained properly. Turns in maintenance requests as needed.
• Maintains accurate personal records, i.e. travel, leave, work time, phone time.
• Maintains confidentiality of client records.
• Displays a high level of effort and commitment to performing work; operates effectively with the organizational structure: demonstrates trustworthiness and responsible behavior.
• Meets all state requirements for the position.
• Other duties as assigned.