Respite Care Worker/Leaping Lizards Program Assistant

Job title:                           Respite Care Worker/ Leaping Lizards Program Assistant
Status:                              Regular  Part-time 

Salary:                              $19.967 - $23.491 /hr
Hours:                              21 hours per/week-Tuesday-Friday 9:30-1:00, Leaping Lizards Tuesday & Thursday 2:30-530
Application deadline:      Until Filled 

Who are we? 
Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre is an innovative community based, multi-service center. We strive to meet the needs of the diverse communities we serve. We work in partnership with individuals, families, and communities to achieve their full potential, paying particular attention to those who are most vulnerable and at risk. PQCHC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce. If at any stage in the selection process you require an accommodation due to a disability, please let us know the nature of the required accommodation.

Job Summary

The Respite Care Worker provides respite childcare for parents with children 0-6 at the Carling Family Shelter. The Program Assistant provides programming support to the after-school/summer Leaping Lizards program.

Job Specific Responsibilities

Direct Client Service

Respite Care Worker

• Provides information and resources to clients/families.
• Supports children, parent and caregivers with a sense of belonging, well-being, engagement and expression through daily routines
• Promote children’s mental health by supporting them to form close and secure relationships with adults and peers and encourage them to experience, manage and express a full range of emotions
• Work with children with special needs and provide adaptations when appropriate
• Provides a positive learning environment for children.
• Models appropriate child guidance techniques.
• Shares in the supervision of program children in keeping with worker/child ratios and age group specific to the program.
• Provides direct supervision to children and ensures volunteers are not left unattended with children.
• Assists in the development and delivery of programming.
• Registers clients for programming as appropriate.
• Acts as a liaison with parents and community members.
• Establishes and maintains positive and supportive relationships with children/families.

Leaping Lizards Program Assistant

• Provides information and resources to clients/families.
• Models appropriate child guidance techniques.
• Supports children, parent and caregivers with a sense of belonging, well-being, engagement and expression through daily routines
• Promote children’s mental health by supporting them to form close and secure relationships with adults and peers and encourage them to experience, manage and express a full range of emotions
• Shares in the supervision of program children in keeping with worker/child ratios and age group specific to the program.
• Provides direct supervision to children and ensures volunteers are not left unattended with children.
• Assists in the delivery of programming.
• Establishes and maintains positive and supportive relationships with children/families.

Program Support

Respite Care Worker

• Orders and maintains an inventory of program and cleaning supplies as required.
• Sets up environment with educational and recreational age-appropriate activities.
• Assists in promotional activities and client recruitment/outreach.
• Makes referrals to other staff and/or agencies pertaining to relevant client issues.
• Ensures daily activities are in compliance with the Child Care and Early Years Act (2014).
• Plans and develops menus according to Canada’s Food Guide with consideration to dietary restrictions and food allergies.
• Performs regular cleaning, disinfecting and laundry of space and supplies, including all toys, equipment and furniture.
• Performs administrative functions related to the program.
• Ensures all supplies and resources are stored in a secure location.
• Maintains a safe, secure environment during programs.

Leaping Lizards Program Assistant

• Sets up environment with educational and recreational age-appropriate activities.
• Plans and develops menus according to Canada’s Food Guide with consideration to dietary restrictions and food allergies.
• Performs regular cleaning and disinfecting of all toys, equipment and furniture.
• Performs administrative functions related to the program.
• Ensures all supplies and resources are stored in a secure location.
• Maintains a safe, secure environment during programs.

Teamwork and Consultation 

• Attends and participates at team and general staff meetings as scheduled
• Participates in the evaluation component of relevant program

• Follows established policies of off-site organizations where staff are co-located.
• Participating actively as a team member at staff meetings, collaborative reflection sessions, in generating and exchanging ideas, in goal setting and in sharing the responsibility for all the children enrolled
• Assuming responsibility for a share of the team tasks (weekly sanitizing, room set up, end of day clean up)
• The ability to work collaboratively with others to co-construct understandings and teaching strategies;
• Commitment to building genuine partnerships with others that enable open and constructive conversations about curriculum;

• Participate in staff development as appropriate to the position.

Human Resources

• Provides support and assistance to volunteers and/or placement students.
• On an annual basis review Centre’s operational guidelines, policies and procedures and other legislation required as it relates to the delivery of services and provide recommendations for the policy reviews.
• Participate in orientation and on-boarding of new staff.

Qualifications

Education

• Diploma in Early Childhood Education, Social Service Worker or Equivalent

Professional Experience

• Two to three years experience working in a child-oriented environment.
• Experience in children’s programming.
• Knowledge of child development, emergent curriculum and Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years; How Does Learning Happen
• Experience working with people of diverse cultures and backgrounds in a community based setting
• Excellent computer skills (Microsoft suite; word, excel, publisher, access, and internet & email and other databases, as required)

Key Competencies

• Demonstrated stress resilience and mental health stamina in the delivery of client services.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills including diplomacy, confidentiality and good judgement as well as the ability to tailor your message to your audience from children through to adults.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team environment.
• Ability to demonstrate strong motivation and ability to take initiative
• Experience working with different population groups served by the program.
• Experience working with high risk children/families.
• Knowledge of community and organizational resources.

Personal Suitability/Other Requirements

•  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with adults and children.
• The physical demands analysis associated with this job indicates;
  • a light to medium level of work (lifting up to 24 kg or 44 lbs) bending, stooping
  • the need to have an adequate energy level and ability to meet physical demands of the position
  • must be able to work outdoors for at least 1 hour per day year-round; may be exposed to heat, humidity, and cold

Linguistic Profile (for Centres with French Language Service Designations)

• Under the Centre’s designation to provide French Language Services for identified positions.
•  Based on New Avenues Linguistics Rating Scale:  A+ (highest skill) to C- (lowest skill)

        - French (oral expression): A+ (preferred) 

        - French (oral comprehension): A+ (preferred) 

        - French (reading comprehension):A+ (preferred) 

•  Other languages an asset.