Job Description
 

Position:                          Child Care Specialist 
Program:                         Stable Families and Transitional Housing program
Reports to:                      Program Supervisor
Hours:                             Up to 15 hours per week, with some evening and weekend hours
Job classification:             $10, Part Time
 
Background:
Vine Maple Place (VMP) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit Christian organization that breaks the cycle of homelessness by helping single parents and their children build lives of hope, stability, and greater self-sufficiency. Vine Maple Place was founded by the churches in Maple Valley, WA.
 
Program Summary:
Child care Specialist will lead on-site childcare while the parent is in meetings for their program.  They will be responsible for planning and leading educational based activities for appropriate age groups. Responsible to maintain a safe and healthy environment while interacting with children.
 
Program Responsibilities:

• Meet the emotional, social, physical and cognitive needs of each child in a childcare setting
• Plan long and short range activities in accordance with curriculum objectives, developmentally appropriate practice and program philosophy as directed by child case manager.
• Work closely with Program Volunteers and Child Case Manager and maintain positive working environment. 
• Maintain daily open communication with parents and Child Case Manager.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Arrange the classroom environment in accordance to program goals and philosophy based on current population.
• Maintain a safe and healthy environment.
• Inspect and replace damaged or lost materials.
• Keep all appropriate records such as attendance, time sheets, and incident reports. 
• Meet all applicable certifications and requirements. 
• Report any suspect abuse to supervisors and to cps.
•  To plan, prepare and hand out healthy snacks for children in childcare.

Qualifications:

• One to two years of demonstrated childcare experience required.
• First Aid and CPR certifications up to date.   
• Ability to complete “safe touch” training in addition to other training programs. 
• Ability to undergo State and Federal Background checks. 
• Understanding of issues related to poverty, homelessness and the governmental, educational, and social service systems that serve low income people.
• Strong customer service orientation.

• Sensitivity to the needs of clients who are homeless, low income, limited English speaking, or impacted by domestic violence, substance abuse or other barriers to employment.
• Commitment to diversity and ability to work well with diverse family styles and multi-ethnic populations.
• Oral, written, and interpersonal communications skills.
• Candidate must be able to travel independently between multiple work sites within a day.
• Core competencies expected: Achievement; Collaboration; Communication; Customer Service; Discernment/Judgment; Fostering Diversity; Initiative; Innovation; Interpersonal skills; Planning & Organizing; Problem Solving; Professionalism.

Physical Demands of the Position:

• Continuously exchanges information through listening and talking with children, clients, agency staff, representatives of community organizations and other individuals in the community.
• Frequently stands, walks, sits, and climbs in performing duties in the office and in traveling to off-site meetings.
• Frequently lifts and carries items and children occasionally up to 40 lbs.
• Frequently kneels, bends, pushes and pulls while interacting with children.
• Often stands for long periods of time while conducting childcare.

It is our policy to hire, promote, transfer, terminate and make all other employment-related decisions without regard to any employee’s race, color, sex, age, national origin, veteran status or disability or any other basis prohibited by law.As a religious organization, we are permitted, and reserve the right, to prefer employment on the basis of religion, per Title VII,
 
Section 702-703, vs. Civil Rights Act of 1964.We believe that the effectiveness of this ministry is directly related to the depth and sincerity of commitment to Jesus Christ demonstrated by each employee.Therefore, each employee must be committed to the pursuit of a lifestyle, on and off the job, consistent with our mission, compatible with historical standards of morality and reflecting the message, mission and character of Jesus Christ.
 
Send Resume and Cover Letter to info@vinemapleplace.org .  Only qualified candidates will be contacted.