JOB SUMMARY
The Lead Preschool Afterschool Teacher is responsible for the supervision and care of students, ensuring their safety in our outdoor afterschool and preschool programs. The Lead Preschool Afterschool Teacher will support both the Afterschool & Preschool teams to implement activities that foster connection, curiosity, confidence, a sense of belonging, and an intimate connection to the natural world and local community. This position will support the preschool classrooms during some afternoons each week, allowing the preschool teachers time for planning. The Lead Preschool Afterschool Teacher is responsible for implementing our programs as directed by leadership staff and in accordance with licensing and agency practices, policies, and procedures.
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JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Background:
- Fingerprinting-based background check through the Maine State Department of Health & Human Services.
- Complete a background check, which will include the National Sex Offender Registry, that is sent to you by Ketcha Outdoors upon offer of employment.
Education & Experience:
- Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or similar is preferred. High School Diploma, GED, or HiSET is required. (Preferred: Level 5 or higher on the MRTQ Direct Care Career Lattice.)
- You must be 18 years of age or older.
- Understanding of early childhood development, stages of growth, and an awareness of young children’s needs is required.
- First Aid/CPR Certification is required.
- Mandated reporter training certification or willingness to get certified.
- Knowledge of natural sciences and outdoor education or willingness to learn.
Skills and Abilities:
- Basic computer skills, including word processing, email, and messaging via an app.
- Classroom management skills.
- Organizational skills for classroom materials and program planning.
- Excellent skills in verbal and written communication with families and other staff members.
- Ability to ensure proper implementation of Ketcha Outdoors policies and procedures.
- Ability to respond appropriately to any special needs, medical conditions, dietary concerns, and/or behavioral needs of the students according to directions provided by the Preschool Director, Afterschool Director, Nurse, KetchaLeadership Team, and/or parent/guardians.
- Highly detail-oriented.
- Able to work efficiently independently, while multitasking, and collaboratively in a group of other staff at all levels.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to all program participants.
- Ability to positively redirect and modify activities and/or the classroom environment when confronted with challenging student/camper behaviors.
- Ability to maintain calm, patience, and understanding with all students in our programs.
- Able to convey joy, curiosity, and wonder outdoors in all weather (e.g. sun, rain, snow, wind, etc.)
- Must be able to spend multiple hours outdoors in all weather (e.g. heat, cold, rain, snow, etc.), hike up to 4 miles per day keeping pace with the students in your care, and engage in sustained physical activity throughout the day.
- Must be able to hear children who may be out of direct sightline and have 20:20 vision (with corrective lenses) to provide oversight during outdoor play and activities.
- Ability to think creatively and flexibly to adapt to quickly changing needs and environments.
Personal Attributes:
- Strong commitment to the organization's mission, vision, and culture of positive attitude, teamwork, and respect.
- Passionate about outdoor, nature-based, and place-based education.
- Friendly and approachable to children and families.
- High degree of personal integrity and professional conduct.
- High degree of dependability.
- Strong work ethic.
- Displays initiative and proactive, solution-oriented problem-solving skills.
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WORKING CONDITIONS
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential job functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position requires the employee to work outdoors for long periods of time and in rain, heat, cold, and snow. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, run, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk, see, and hear. The employee occasionally must lift and/or move up to 50lbs. While performing this job, the employee is exposed to any weather conditions present. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. This position is subject to several inherent risks associated with preschool, elementary education, summer camp, and equine/farm activities. There is a potential exposure to the dander of animals.
Pay: $17.00 - $22.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
