Early Childhood Educator

Description Governors State University is seeking to hire an Early ChildhoodEducator (ECE) in the Family Development Center to be responsiblefor the school-age group of children all year, which includes theBefore and After Care Program, in addition to School Age SummerCamp. When school-age children are in school from August to May,this ECE is expected to help in other classrooms as part of theiressential responsibilities. Essential Responsibilities 80% Early Childhood Educator (ECE) implements an age appropriate,success oriented, and developmentally appropriate curriculummeeting all DCFS requirements. Work with co-ECEs to design anenvironment and activities to meet the needs of individual childrenwhile remaining responsive and aware of group needs. Follow and maintain daily routines and schedule for allindividual children in the class. Maintain classroom management byengaging the children in dally activities. Create a warm andaccepting environment for children, families, students, volunteers,and community members. Follow all DCFS standards as well as those in accordance withSACERS. Complete necessary paperwork when needed. Ensure the safety of the children in assigned group, inspectingindoor and outdoor toys and equipment daily. Assure that allchildren are always supervised by sight and sound. Maintain awareness of allergies and medical conditions.Administer medication as trained. Always maintain ratios, even if that means being asked to coverin another classroom to maintain ratios during naptime, at the endof the day, or the beginning of the day. Eat with children during mealtimes and encourage soundnutritional practices. Use and teach children the Family Style MealService. Must always maintain ratios, including assisting in otherclassrooms while teachers are having supervision or planningtime. Assist with all classroom procedures, including washing handsand doing laundry, cleaning duties, including furniture andequipment, and all other health and safety standards. Float between classrooms as needed within the FamilyDevelopment Center to best ensure quality of care. Report on any health needs of assigned children to the HealthService Director. Keep accurate attendance and meal count records using the ChildPlus system. Under the direction of the supervising Center Director, workershelp develop and implement curriculum to meet the physical,emotional, and creative needs of specific groups of school-agechildren in an environment where children feel safe, valued, andrespected. Plans specific educational and developmental activities focusedon STEM and a schedule of activities within the program outline,appropriate to the age level of the assigned children. Assists children with completion of homework assignments. During the summer months (June-August) and summer camp is insession, the ECE will also be asked to engage in field trips andswimming on a weekly basis (when applicable). Abide by program philosophies on parent involvement and parentparticipation. Document all important communication with families. Assist in completing all required documentation and reports andsubmitting in a timely manner. Attend training and complete coursework as required. Observe functioning for small groups of individual children andkeep appropriate individual records, attendance records, mealcounts, and child assessments as designed. Select, maintain, and inventory educational supplies andcontrol utilization of equipment and materials within theclassroom. Maintaining relations with, supports, and encourages parents toachieve a strengthening of the total family/agencyrelationship. 20% Comply with regulatory health requirements, a pre-employmentphysical and lift test; proof of MMR and DTAP immunization andinitial TB test, and annual physical exam. Attend all meetings and training as required. Adhere to all plans, policies, and procedures of GovernorsState University, Family Development Center, DCFS, NAEYC, EarlyHead Start, and ISBE. Proactive Leader - works well without close supervision anddemonstrates initiative. Assist with questions and problems courteously andpromptly. Hourly wage range: $15.53 to $17.86. This is a negotiatedposition. This position qualifies for an expansive suite of fringebenefits including, various insurance options, paid time off,retirement and investment options, and tuition waivers. Visit: Required and Preferred Qualifications Minimum Requirements: Possession of credentials required by Illinois Department ofChildren and Family Services (DCFS) for employment as a Child CareWorker in a licensed childcare facility. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Servicesrequired credentials can be reviewed at: Reference DCFS work authorization requirement for Gateways toOpportunity Credentials, Sections 407.140 (c)(3)(C)(i) and/or(e)(4)(A). High school diploma plus 3120 clock hours of experience in arecreational program, kindergarten or licensed day care centerserving school-age children or a licensed exempt school-agechildcare program operated by a public or private school. At least 19 years of age and at least five years older than theoldest child with whom they work. OR One year (1560 clock hours) of child development experience ina nursery school, kindergarten, or licensed day care center and 30semester hours (or 45 quarter hours) of credits from an accreditedcollege or university with six semester or nine quarter hours incourses related directly to childcare and/or child development frombirth to age six. Thirty semester hours of college coursework from an accreditedcollege or university with six semester hours (or nine quarterhours) related to school-age childcare, child development,elementary education, physical education, recreation, camping, orother related fields OR 1560 clock hours of experience in a recreational program orlicensed daycare center serving school-age children orlicense-exempt school-age childcare program operated by a publicschool or private school, and six semester hours (or 9 quarterhours) of credit from an accredited college or university relatedto school-age childcare, child development, elementary education,physical education, recreation, camping, or other relatedfields. Child Development Associate Credential or equivalent. A minimumof 12 college credits (semester hours) in early childhoodeducation, child development, or early childhood special educationthat encompass the following: child development and learning ofchildren from birth through kindergarten; family and communityrelationships; observing, documenting, and assessing youngchildren; teaching and learning; and professional practices anddevelopment by July 1, 2020. Completion of a training program accredited by the AmericanMontessori Society or Association Montessori International may besubstituted for the courses directly related to childcare and/orchild development required by this Section. Individuals holdingMontessori pre-primary credentials may supervise children throughage six. Person holding a Montessori primary or elementarycredentials may supervise children six years of age or older. As of September 30, 2017, all teachers, assistants, and aidesare required to have an Illinois Early Childhood Education Level 1Credential. Desired Requirements: Associate's or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education/childdevelopment. Work Authorization/Security Clearance Must pass the DCFS background check, clearance, and physical,as well as the University background clearance and basiclift/physical evaluation. I-9 employment eligibility and verification. Must have or be able to obtain CPR and First Aid Certificationand Food Handler Certification Training (regularly renewed based onexpiration dates). Work Environment The work environment will be consistent with that of a normaloffice environment and a childcare element. Must be able to move and play with small children indoors andoutdoors as well as perform routine tasks such as diaper changingand feeding. The use of computers, phones, fax machines, file cabinets,gloves and diapers, paint, paper and play dough is common. Possible exposure to communicable diseases, body fluids, andhead lice is common. Physical Demands Subject to standing, walking, sitting, bending, reaching,kneeling, pushing, and pulling. Yes, carrying/lifting is required on a routine basis. Indicateweight in pounds: 50 Supplemental Information DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENT: For consideration, applicants are required to attach thefollowing:

1. High School Diploma or College/University Transcripts.
2. Online Application – Must be fully completed, include all datesof employment, employment status (full-time or if part-time,include percentages), job duties and responsibilities (fulldetails).
3. Cover Letter.
4. Resume.
5. A list of three Professional References (We will only contactyour references if you are a finalist).

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Illinois residency is required within 180 days of the hiredate. CREDENTIAL ASSESSMENT EXAM DETAILS: This vacancy involves a Credential Assessment Examination, whichconsists of a review and rating of the applicant's Education,Experience, Licenses, and other qualifications. Applicants arerequired to provide electronic documentation as listed above toverify that the minimum qualifications for this position have beenmet. VETERAN’S PREFERENCE POINTS: Veterans may be eligible to receive additional points on a passingfinal examination score. To determine eligibility, submit one ofthe following documents to the Department of Human Resources:

1. Department of Defense – DD214 / DD215
2. National Guard – NGB22 Form
3. Discharge Orders
4. Reserves – DD256 Discharge Certificate

Note: Documentation must be received by the closing date ofthis posting. #J-18808-Ljbffr Governors State University