Rotating Teacher

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) creates and coordinates services that enhance the quality of life for Cambridge residents. Driven by the needs of residents, DHSP’s extensive services and programs touch almost every sector in the city: from newborns to senior citizens, from school-aged children to homeless families, from non-profit organizations to local employers.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Rotating Teacher supports the Preschool and Afterschool (kindergarten – 5th grade) programs by providing quality teaching support for full-time day programs. Quality teaching support entails actively contributing to a comfortable, safe, and stimulating childcare environment, which effectively meets the needs of children.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Rotating Teacher will report to the Program Assistant for daily/weekly scheduling, but receives direct supervision from the program’s staff, under the direction of the Program Manager.

The Rotating Teacher’s specific duties include, but are not limited, to the following:

• Foster a positive learning environment in the classroom by supporting the engagement of children in classroom activities and routines.
• Provide nurturing and socially responsive care to all children enrolled in the program.
• Utilize an assets-based approach to working with children and families.
• Assist teachers in the facilitation of learning activities. This may require working one-on-one with a child or with a small group.
• In partnership with staff, ensure the safety of children while playing outdoors, on field trips, or while transitioning from one location to another.
• Follow and implement the classroom’s behavior guidance policy and systems.
• Assist teachers with a variety of classroom duties such as lunch and snack preparation. Maintain classroom, including classroom clean-up, as needed.
• Under the supervision of site staff, maintain regular and respectful communication with parents regarding their child’s daily experiences in the program through daily conversations.
• For long-term placements, fulfill some programmatic and/or administrative responsibilities.
• Participate in various meetings called by the Division Head or Program Manager such as: program orientations and training workshops, policy review, or DHSP required trainings.
• Actively engaging in and supporting the Department’s Race and Equity Initiative.
• Maintain professional knowledge through participation in required Department of Early Education and Care trainings as well as meeting the educational requirements established by the EEC and the City of Cambridge.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience

• Applicant must be 21 years of age or older.
• Minimum of HS Diploma/GED and 1 year of related experience; Associate Degree and 9 months half-time experience; or B.A. with 6 months half-time experience.
• First Aid and CPR trained preferred or must complete training within 6 months of hire date.
• Applicant must successfully pass the EEC background record check process, which includes a CORI, SORI, DCF check, and fingerprinting.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Applicant is required to be available from 7:30 AM-6:00 PM daily.
• Adhere to all Massachusetts EEC regulations as well as those established by the Childcare Division, DHSP, or the City of Cambridge.
• Always maintain professional manner.
• The City of Cambridge’s workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, WORKING CONDITIONS, WORK FLEXIBILITY AND ACCOMODATIONS:

• Ability to move with agility including the ability to kneel to be at a child’s eye level.
• Ability to hear children who speak in a soft voice or mumble words when distressed.
• Ability to run after children in play and to respond to an emergency.
• Ability to use hands and arms to move, reach, handle, and manipulate objects in the classroom.
• Ability to see is required for the supervision of children.
• Ability to lift a child (up to 40 pounds).
• The work environment includes classroom and outdoor playgrounds and occasional field trips.
• The noise level in the work environment is moderate to very loud.
• Ability to travel from one site to another as needed.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:

• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Vacation and Sick leave eligible
• Paid parental leave
• Sick Incentive Pay Eligible
• 3 Personal days
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Management Allowance
• City employee commuter benefits (T-Pass reimbursement Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle membership)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the below documents to complete your application:

• Resume
• Cover letter