Childcare Associate

Mission Statement: Motivated by the love of Christ, we promote abundant life by providing holistic services to women and men affected by unplanned pregnancy.

Position title: Childcare Associate

Position type: Staff (part-time, hourly at approximately 20 hours per week, mid-August through May)

Department: Women’s Center

Reports to: Ed Services Manager

Basic function of position: The Childcare Associate is responsible for coordinating, overseeing, and staffing the childcare programs of Alpha Grand Rapids (AGR) with adequate childcare workers. He/she assists the AGR staff by providing exceptional programming and ensuring a clean and safe facility.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative

• Serves as the leader in the childcare area while programs are running by greeting volunteers as they arrive, staying available to answer questions, periodically checking in on volunteers/children to see how they are doing, assisting with childcare as needed (up to 60% of class time), and thanking volunteers at the end of their shift
• Prioritizes cleanliness and safety in the childcare room – updating toys/equipment as needed, stocking supplies, and cleaning toys
• Ensures that the volunteer-to-child ratio is appropriate at all times and that childcare volunteers are always actively engaged with the children while maintaining AGR policies
• Finds time periodically to informally meet and check in with each volunteer – to debrief their role, discuss any issues, build relationships, and thank them for their service. This may be done along with the appropriate AGR program leader.
• Communicates with the appropriate program leader about any concerns or issues that arise in childcare
• Schedules volunteers on the calendar using the volunteer software, Galaxy Digital, and updates volunteer contact information, as needed
• Ensures that all volunteers are using Galaxy appropriately for check in and check out
• Develops a schedule of activities for children in childcare and communicates that to volunteers, as is appropriate
• Along with the appropriate AGR program leader, communicates with parents about any issues that arise with children while they are in childcare
• Communicates with and works closely with the Educational Services team as clients and their children are added to classes and the childcare roster
• Ensures that AGR has proper policies in place for our volunteers, clients, and their children, and with the Ed Services Manager, communicates these policies to the appropriate audience

Other

• Promotes and attends spring and fall fundraising events
• Participates in all required staff meetings
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor
• This position is required to attend certain fundraising and volunteer events and additional events if asked. Please see the link for specific requirements. Staff Event Attendance Requirements.xlsx

Qualifications for the Position

Education: Some college education in Early Childhood Education preferred

Prior work experience: One to three years of experience in providing care for young children preferred

Language proficiency

• English required
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred

Skills and abilities

• Strong organizational and administrative skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel)
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to interact well with both individuals and groups from a variety of ethnicities and backgrounds
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Detail-oriented, self-starter
• Comfortable speaking before small groups
• Ability to create signs, sign-in sheets, communications with parents, etc. that are professional in appearance
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds
• Willingness to be trained in CPR and First Aid

Essential requirements

• Belief in the sanctity of human life
• Demonstrated emotional and spiritual maturity
• Committed Christian who faithfully attends a local church
• Full agreement with the AGR Statement of Faith and AGR Statement of Lifestyle
• Proven ability to respect diversity and confidentiality

Position Elements

Available guidelines: AGR Employee Handbook

Exercise of judgment: Uses independent judgment on how to interact with and manage workspace and volunteers

Nature and level of contacts: Employees, volunteers, clients, and the general public

Supervision exercised: 15-25 volunteers

Time to perform full range of duties after entry into the position: Three months

Application Process

If interested, please email or mail a resume and cover letter to:

pcurtis@alphagrandrapids.org

Attn: Paul Curtis

Alpha Grand Rapids

1725 Division Ave S

Grand Rapids, MI 49507

For questions, please call 616.459.9955.

Minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.