School Age Paraprofessional

Description POSITION SUMMARY The ARcare Center for Education and Wellness, in partnership with McCrory School District, is accepting applications for Paraprofessionals to instruct elementary students. As part of the classroom educational team, the paraprofessional helps plan lessons and activities and participates in classroom, playground, and walking field trip activities.

These activities are designed to enhance all areas of each child's development. The paraprofessional will be held responsible for assisting with the implementation of all program requirements to include but not limited to: lessons, daily and routine activities, professional development opportunities, and staff meetings. Qualifications: Age 21 years or older preferred and must have a high school diploma or higher.

An associate's degree is preferred; previous childcare experience is required. This is a part-time job located in McCrory (3:30-5:30 M-F). Applicants may assist at other education center locations as needed during school breaks. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Reasonable Accommodations Statement To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Essential Functions Statement(s) Participate in training to build an understanding of the approved model of early learning programming. Support the structure to ensure a continuity of care system is in place for all children.

Assist with the implementation of the approved curriculum for Infants, Toddlers, and/or School Age Children. Assist with learning experiences that promote all developmental areas, including improving the readiness of children for school by developing their language acquisition and vocabulary. Guide and facilitate activities of the children, including daily activities, walking field trips, and selecting and arranging equipment and materials in the classroom.

Cooperate with other staff and classroom groups to maintain the smooth functioning of the center, which at times may require changes to meet the needs of the children. Guide children's acquisition of social skills and wellness Attend staff training and meetings as well as parent meetings as requested. Assist in providing and maintaining a safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate environment Assist in conducting the daily health and environment checklist Assist in recruiting and orienting volunteers, providing them with guidance as needed.

Assist in the completion of required reports. Complete timely and accurate time sheets. Assist as requested, in transition activities.

Distribute newsletters, flyers, and other information to families as instructed. Actively participate in the development and implementation of the Paraprofessional Development Plan Perform other duties as may be required POSITION QUALIFICATIONS Competency Statement(s) Adaptability

• Ability to adapt to change in the workplace Coaching and Development

• Ability to provide guidance and feedback to help others strengthen specific knowledge/skill areas Communication, Oral

• Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word Communication, Written

• Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely. Decision Making

• Ability to make critical decisions while following company procedures Ethical

• Ability to demonstrate conduct conforming to a set of values and accepted standards Goal Oriented

• Ability to focus on a goal and obtain a pre-determined result Honesty / Integrity

• Ability to be truthful and be seen as credible in the workplace Organized

• Possessing the trait of being organized or following a systematic method of performing a task Problem Solving

• Ability to find a solution for or to deal proactively with work-related problems Responsible

• Ability to be held accountable or answerable for one's conduct Reliability

• The trait of being dependable and trustworthy Self Motivated

• Ability to be internally inspired to perform a task to the best of one's ability using his or her drive or initiative Team Builder

• Ability to convince a group of people to work toward a goal Time Management

• Ability to utilize the available time to organize and complete work within given deadlines SKILLS & ABILITIES Education: An associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field is preferred.
  
  The following educational levels will be considered in descending order: a one-year technical certificate in ChilDevelopmentnt; Child Development Associate (CDA)- a child care credential from an approved program; High School diploma or GED. A minimum of (18) semester hours in courses specifically in the care and education of children 0-5 years old is preferred. Experience: Verifiable experience (2 years) working with children and families is preferred

Experience working in a team setting. Computer Skills:

Manual dexterity is sufficient to operate a computer and office equipment, including, but not limited to, the telephone, fax machine, copier, and tape recorder. Certificates & Licenses: Must register on the Arkansas Professional Development Registry (PDR) and shall obtain a minimum of 25 hours or more of in-service training or outside workshop training each year in continuing Early Childhood Education or classes related to the current position.

This training shall be approved by the Director Other Requirements Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to utilize word processing, electronic data entry systems, and other office and classroom equipment. Must be able to pass both a Child Maltreatment check, Arkansas State Police background check, and National FBI Fingerprint check as required by Arkansas Minimum Licensing for Child Care Centers.

Ability to work with the Lead Teacher to plan, organize and implement position responsibilities effectively, providing input to ensure children's needs are met. Visual and auditoryacuity within professionally determined normal ranges, with correction ifneeded. Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer and office equipment, including, but not limited to, the telephone, fax machine, copier, and recorders.