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.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Preschool Assistant Teacher will, in partnership with the Preschool Head Teacher and Preschool Teacher, enhance the social, physical, emotional, and intellectual development of children enrolled in the program. The Preschool Assistant Teacher will also support the teaching team in maintaining a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assisting Preschool Head Teacher and Preschool Teacher in the facilitation of learning activities. This may require working one-on-one with a child or with a small group of children as they work towards completing the activity.
• Supporting the children in following the classroom routines, schedule, and rules. This may include supporting individual child needs or group needs.
• Providing nurturing and supportive care to all children enrolled in the program.
• Following EEC regulations and participating in program quality improvements.
• With the Preschool Head Teacher and Preschool Teacher, ensuring the safety of children while playing outdoors, on field trips, or while transitioning from one location to another. This includes situational awareness and knowledge of safety precautions.
• Assisting the Preschool Head Teacher and Preschool Teacher with a variety of classroom duties such as lunch and snack preparation. Maintaining the classroom, including classroom clean-up, as needed.
• Assisting Preschool Head Teacher and Preschool Teacher in displaying children’s work.
• Communicating with Preschool Head Teacher, Preschool Teacher, or Director regarding children’s daily experiences and any concerns. Respecting child, family, and staff confidentiality.
• Participating in professional days to maintain and grow knowledge in the field.
• Participating in a variety of meetings when schedule permits.
• Fulfilling some Preschool Teacher responsibilities when needed. May be asked to work extended hours on occasion.
• Maintaining high standards of professional conduct. Having a consistent attendance record and arriving at work on time.
• Actively engaging in and supporting the Department’s Race and Equity Initiative.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience

• Compliance with or surpassing EEC (Department of Early Education & Care) regulations for preschool assistant teachers, with a minimum age of 18.
• High School Diploma or equivalent required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Have an interest and ability to work with children.
• 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.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, WORKING CONDITIONS, WORK FLEXIBILITY AND ACCOMODATIONS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to:

• Be agile in their movements; moving quickly from sitting on the floor to standing, to kneeling so as to be at the child’s eye level. Employees may have to run after children, both in play and to respond to an emergency.
• Be able to hear children who speak in a soft voice or mumble words when distressed.
• Be able to use their hands and arms to move, reach, handle, and manipulate objects in the classroom. This includes moving furniture once a year when room is re-organized.
• Be able to occasionally lift and/or move a child (up to 40 pounds).
• Vision abilities are required for the supervision of children.
• The noise level is moderately to very loud. It includes classroom, outdoor playgrounds, and occasional field trips.

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

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the following documents to complete your application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter