UPK TEACHING ASSISTANT

Job Title: UPK Teaching Assistant Reports To: Assistant School Age Child Care Director Work Location: Southwest YMCA, Syracuse, NY Salary Range: $16.00/hour FLSA: Hourly – Part-time Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:45 am - 3:15 pm with 30-minute lunch A Career with a Cause We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and grow. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you. Our purpose is to strengthen the foundations of communities and families through our key areas of focus: youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. We are committed to these causes because a strong community is achieved when we invest in our children, health, neighbors, and values. Historically founded on the Christian principles of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility; our mission is to put these principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

We are for ALL.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Statement | YMCA OF CENTRAL NEW YORK (ymcacny.org) (

Position Summary: This position supports the mission and work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization. The UPK Teaching Assistant will assist with the delivery of a safe and developmentally high quality educational experience for the children under the guidance the UPK Lead Teacher. The UPK Teaching Assistant assures the well-being for each participant in line with YMCA of the USA guidelines and association policies in accordance with their training.

Salary and Benefits:

• Salary Range $16.00/hour; Part-time Non-Exempt

• YMCA Membership

Essential Functions:

• Models the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

• Develops and maintains positive relationships with individuals and groups at all levels of the organization; supporting members connect with each other and the YMCA.

• Maintains physical presence, always remains alert while on duty.

• Knows and reviews all emergency procedures and responds to emergency situations immediately in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures; completes related reports as required.

• Assist in the planning, organizing, and leading of all daily preschool program activities including academic, physical, and social opportunities.

• Report to the program ready to work at designated times and prepared to stay until all the children have left.

• Provide a safe, healthy, moral, and fun environment for all children, supervising children at all time

• Provide a positive role model for the children in the program. This includes actions, speech, and attire of all staff.

• Knows, follows, and enforces all YMCA policies, rules, regulations, procedures, and staff expectations, including those for the prevention of child abuse.

• Ambassador of all YMCA programs with a focus on department offerings and member engagement.

• Performs equipment checks and ensures appropriate equipment is available as needed. Clean and store equipment per branch procedures.

• Attends all mandatory meetings and trainings.

• Is willing to step up, even if outside of the position description, to contribute to the overall success of the YMCA.

YMCA Leadership Competencies:

• Inclusion: Values all people for their unique talents, and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity, inclusion, and global work, as well as cultural competence

• Critical Thinking & Decision Making: Makes informed decisions based on logic, data, and sound judgment

• Emotional Maturity: Demonstrates ability to understand and manage emotions effectively in all situations

Experience, Education, and Qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalent OR One year experience working with children under 13 years of age.

• Must be 18 years of age.

• Excellent organizational and communications skills both verbal and written are essential.

• Must demonstrate excellent teaching and decision-making skills.

• Brings to this position maturity, responsibility and a sincere interest in working with people.

• Possess knowledge of age appropriate activities and expectations of children ages 2 to 5 years of age.

• Possess cultural awareness and sensitivity to children’s needs.

• Be able to build esteem while ensuring a safe and secure environment.

• NYS Office of Children and Family Services Requirements:

• Prior to assignment to initial position, the incumbent will:

• Complete an initial medical statement and tuberculin test providing satisfactory evidence that they are physically fit to provide child day care.

• Within the first 30-days of employment, the incumbent will:

• Undergo fingerprint and background screening as mandated by the NYS OCFS.

• Obtain clearance on the State Central Register (SCR) and Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCL).

Trainings & Certifications:

• Must complete annual safety, combating sexual-harassment, and child abuse prevention trainings assigned by human resources prior to direct service.

• Must have current CPR and First Aid

Physical Requirements:

• The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• On occasion ability to lift and carry children and equipment, may spend time sitting on the floor or child sized furniture.

• Prolonged periods of standing and frequent bending.

• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at a time.

• Will be exposed to illness-causing bacteria and viruses.

Work Environment: This job operates in a recreational and/or educational environment. This role routinely uses standard recreation and/or office equipment. At times, employees may be exposed to undesirable working conditions, communicable infectious diseases, and risk of injury from others. All employees are required to always follow the preventative health policies of the YMCA. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.