Childcare Teacher Assistant

For over 65 years, the Boothbay Region YMCA has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for all. There is not a more exciting, cause-driven organization to belong to, raise a family in, work or volunteer for, or donate. Our connections to our community hold us together, offer support, and give us an important sense of belonging. The Boothbay Region YMCA, with an operating budget of $2.4M and nearly 100 staff, is a thriving non-profit organization serving more than 3,200 members and program participants with a range of activities. Emphasizing the four core character development values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility, we are committed to strengthening our communities by nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living, and fostering a sense of social responsibility. We deliver subsidized services to adults and families in need and deserving children of the Boothbay region.

Position Summary:

This position supports the work of the YMCA, a leading nonprofit to strengthen the community. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Commits to the YMCA’s mission, vision and values to promote healthy living, social responsibility, and youth development. 
• Works with supervisor to create and implement procedures and/or programs and/or curriculum. 
• Works with program participants and volunteers to deliver safe, quality programming while adhering to all standards. Plans activities and lessons, sets up materials, and cleans up afterwards. 
• Supervises and actively engages with participants, positively manages behavior in class and on the playground, and fosters positive social skills. Promptly reports any behavior concerns to childcare teacher, coordinator, and/or director. 
• Reinforces lessons and provides additional support to children needing extra care. 
• Assists children with dressing, grooming, and toilet training while providing emotional support and guidance. 
• Builds effective, authentic relationships with children and their guardians, using positive language and active listening to address concerns. 
• Maintains a clean, organized, and safe classroom environment and keeps storage areas organized. 
• Ensures proper hygiene and sanitization, including regular handwashing for children and staff, sanitizing food preparation and serving areas, disinfecting toys and surfaces, and properly disposing of diapers. 
• Checks children in at drop off and checks them out upon guardian pick-up in accordance with policy. 
• Follows DHHS Childcare Licensing rules and safe sleep protocols in accordance with Childcare Licensing and the American Academy of Pediatrics. 
• As a Mandated Reporter, recognizes signs of abuse or neglect and reports to supervisor and the appropriate authorities. Monitors children for signs of illness and document as per policy. 

Non-Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs other tasks and projects as assigned.

Physical Requirements:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk, hear. 
• The employee is also required to use hands and fingers to operate a standard computer keyboard or tablet; use a computer, mouse, printer, and copier; and speak and hear using a telephone. 
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. 
• The employee will lift and/or move up to 60 pounds. 
• The employee must have the ability to transition from indoor and outdoor environments and withstand drastic changes in temperature and weather. 

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those the employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Work is performed at a community campus that serves all people. 
• Work is occasionally stressful and requires ability to multi-task, meet deadlines, and successfully cope with the pressures which are related to the position. 
• The campus facility is open early mornings, evenings, and weekends and the job may require attendance outside of regular business hours (9am – 5pm). 
• The noise level can be all volumes. 

Essential Experience and Skill Requirements:

• CPR and First Aid certification required within 60 days of hire. 
• Team player, with superb interpersonal skills. An ability to work with co-workers and the public in a positive and friendly manner and resolve conflicts as needed. 
• Self-starter with the ability to multi-task, work independently, and adapt to changing circumstances in a fast-paced environment. 
• Basic computer skills and ability to learn new software. 
• MRTQ certifications within 30 days of hire. 
• 18+ years old. 

Essential Education Requirements:

• High School degree or GED or working towards completion of high school. 

Benefits:

• The health and wellness of our staff is paramount, so we foster a culture of healthy living amongst our team and offer a Y membership and program discounts.