Job Description

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.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and lead a child centered, richly diverse after-school classroom for a mixed grade elementary class.
• Plan and implement an after-school curriculum which is well rounded, developmentally responsive, learning oriented and hands-on. This curriculum should reflect the school day experiences of the children and incorporate at least three 6-week Project-Based Learning units over the course of a school year focusing on themes such as physical recreation, performing arts, visual arts, science, ecology, etc.
• Supervise at least one part-time assistant. Additional supervisory responsibility could include supervision of support teachers, inclusion staff, high school interns and volunteers.
• Participate in at least 5 hours of in-class work in the King Open School’s school-day classrooms per week. Responsibilities include one-on-one support of children, assisting King Open faculty in curriculum delivery, differentiated instruction, small group facilitation and participatory observation.
• When appropriate, participate in school day support meetings such as IEP meetings or family conferences.
• Create opportunities for collaborations/partnerships with other Department of Human Service Programs’ youth serving divisions in order to better serve Cambridge children and families.
• Maintain a “child growth portfolio” per school year for every child in the King Open Extended Day classroom as well as regular weekly scheduling and lesson planning. Additionally, maintain ongoing documentation of child progress, daily activities, outreach, and staff meetings.
• Engage families in consistent partnership in the education of children.
• Manage a classroom budget including ordering of supplies and snacks, planning and leading field trips and engaging outside consultants and vendors.
• Participate in related professional development from “outside” service providers.
• Participate in ongoing “in-house” staff development provided by King Open Extended Day and DHSP for professional development and to enhance program practices and overall quality.
• Maintain professional integrity and conduct by following and promoting program policies, procedures and routines, collaborating and maintaining links to King Open Extended Day staff, school-day staff, outside service providers, supervisor(s) and families.
• May perform related duties as required.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• 3 years relevant experience working with school aged children, Kindergarten through 5th grade. Preferably including work with after-school programming, preschool, urban youth, public schools, and/or mental health services.
• Commitment to the social and developmental benefits of after-school work for children. Dedication to the importance and benefit of the connection of after-school and school day experiences for children.
• Strong verbal communication skills and writing skills and facility with written communication.
• Sense of humor and ability to act as a strong positive role model.
• Excellent organizational skills, attentiveness to detail and ability to follow through on multiple projects.
• Experience working with families of diverse cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and socio-economic backgrounds, providing outreach and facilitating communication and strong relationships.
• Commitment to and experience with collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Commitment to anti-bias, culturally proficient practices.
• Interpersonal skills that excel in cultural sensitivity, respect for differences, and communication
• Commitment to enhancing reflective practice and ability to accept and provide supervision and guidance.
• Commitment to the continuous improvement of service quality and the program’s mission.
• 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.
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in child/youth development, education, social work or related human service field strongly preferred.
• Experience supervising staff strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite, or similar system, and computer/internet based lesson planning preferred.
• Bilingual/bicultural background a plus.

• Knowledge of Nurtured Heart Approach techniques and/or Responsive Classroom techniques a plus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The noise level in work environment is moderately to very loud. The work environment includes classroom and outdoor playgrounds and occasional field trips

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, walk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to run, during play or responding to an emergency. Employees are frequently required to engage with children on the floor and at their eye level. Employees are frequently required to use their hands and arms to handle and manipulate objects as well as reach. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move a child. Vision abilities are required for supervision of children. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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 transportation benefits (T-Pass reimbursement, Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the below documents to complete your application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter