Playground Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

If asked to describe the culture at Metropolitan Family Services, we could do that in one word. COMMUNITY! Reflected in both our internal culture as well as through the services we provide, community is at the heart of all we do. 

Metropolitan Family Services empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Are you looking to have an impact on more than just a company’s bottom line? Then we’d love to hear from you!

We are currently hiring for a teacher role at our North Children's Center in Chicago.

 SALARY:

• The average starting salary for this position will fall in the range of $42,000 and $45,000 annually. Where candidates fall in this range will be based on skill and experience level.

 $3,000 sign-on bonus ($750 first paycheck, $1,250 after 6 months, $1,000 after 1 year)

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Participates in a team approach to planning and implementing program activities. Collaborates with Family Support Workers, Lead Teacher, Program Aide, site partners, and site supervisor for the betterment of the classroom and families.
• Assumes responsibility for classroom in lead teacher’s absence.
• Participates in childcare and classroom-related activities during parent meetings/workshops.
• Participates in ongoing CLASS implementation and monitoring.
• Responsible for the implementation of the program’s Planned Language Approach, which is specifically designed to support dual language learners.
• Guide and facilitate activities of the children. Ensures appropriate child guidance and discipline and proper ratios are maintained at all times.
• Attend all mandated trainings. Set and achieve professional development goals. Share resources with other staff members as appropriate. All professional development to be tracked in Gateways.
• Aid in the maintenance of ongoing, high-quality documentation of school readiness skills. Maintain Interrater Reliability through Teaching Strategies Gold.
• Participates in the planning and implementation of education home visits and parent teacher conferences as needed.
• Help ensure accurate teacher and child files as required by licensing agents, Early Childhood requirements and Metropolitan Family Services.
• Ensure all transportation safety procedures are followed including utilization of the bus attendance log if applicable.
• Ensure accurate completion CACFP documents in conjunction with the teaching staff.
• Develops and maintains effective supportive relationships with parents, children and staff.
• Participates in promoting the development of children by contributing to weekly lesson planning using Creative Curriculum including individualization for all children, including monitoring and facilitating accommodations listed in IEPs and IFSPs.
• Provides a supportive, caring and safe environment for children.
• Use the playground as an extension of the classroom; assures that the playground is safe.
• Provides active supervision to ensure the safety of children while in the classroom, during transitions, at time of transportation, and while on the playground. Ensures that no child shall be left alone or unsupervised.
• Ensures the usage of agency technology equipment and time are utilized for agency business.
• Ensures compliance with the agency’s code of conduct.
• Ensures agency’s fiscal integrity by adhering to purchase approval requirements and procedures.
• Assists in the development of the agency’s annual program self-assessment.
• Ensures all content area data is accurately reflected in the agency’s Program Information Report within set time frames.
• Participate in program recruitment efforts to maintain full enrollment.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

• Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
• Ability to obtain appropriate Gateways to Opportunity Level 4 Credential.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate’s degree in early childhood education or child development from an accredited college or university Required
• Bachelors or AA in field outside of ECE with a minimum 60 college credit hours. of which 15 must be in early childhood education or child development and/or with a Gateways Level 4 credential preferred.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Satisfactorily pass all relevant screenings and criminal background checks.

TRANSPORTATION/TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Driving for work required with a personally owned vehicle. Travel between sites required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch. The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing and viewing a computer terminal.

Metropolitan Family Services puts our people first with a top-of-the-line benefits package. Find out more by clicking here!

Some highlights include:

• Medical Coverage, Dental Coverage, and Vision Coverage.
• Metropolitan Family Services contributions of $2,000 to individual, and $4,000 to family, HSA accounts, pro-rated to your benefits start date.
• FREE General Medicine and Behavioral Health Teladoc services provided to all team members.
• Ascensus 401K plan services with a 4% employer match, vested at 100% on day one of eligibility.

And so much more! Make sure you click here to see the full suite of benefits offered!

Some of the above benefits are available for part-time and temporary workers, but not all. Be sure to inquire upon your hire as to which benefits apply to you.

 MORE ABOUT US:

Metropolitan is Illinois' first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 122,970 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs, and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness, and empowerment.