Description

GENERAL PURPOSE:  The role includes instructing preschoolers enrolled in our state-licensed preschool program and leading our children’s pavilion team as the Head Childcare Attendant. In addition, this position is responsible for leading and instructing a wide range of classes and programs in general programs. These could include, but are not limited to, Sun Camp, and leisure and enrichment programs catering to various age groups such as parent/tot, preschool, and youth.

Wheat Ridge was founded during the 1859 Gold Rush as a rest stop for miners and later named for its golden wheat fields. As unsuccessful miners turned to farming, the area thrived with orchards, vegetable fields, and later, greenhouses, earning the title “Carnation City.” Incorporated in 1969, Wheat Ridge now offers a central location with easy access to Denver and the Rocky Mountains. It operates as a home-rule city with a council-manager government, where the elected council sets policy, and the manager oversees daily operations and budgeting. 

CORE VALUES: The City of Wheat Ridge is committed to excellence and ACTION!: 

• Accountability: Employees take responsibility for their actions, decisions, and recommendations and are accountable to each other and the community 
• Change: Adapts to changing organizational needs, conditions, and work responsibilities. 
• Teamwork: Employees value teamwork as a collaborative effort, with each person contributing unique skills, knowledge, and training to achieve common goals. 
• Integrity: Employees uphold the highest ethical standards, recognize the importance of public and customer trust and adhere to the values of the organization. 
• Opportunity: Employees are empowered to grow professionally, develop best practices, and seek challenges to advance the City. 
• NOW!: Employees are proactive, timely, and efficient in responding to the needs of the organization and the community – NOW!  

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Licensed Preschool Specialist  

Little Learners is a licensed preschool program that operates at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center Monday-Friday from 1:00-4:00pm throughout the school year and summer. Below is a list of duties that are illustrative only and are not intended to be all inclusive:

• Implement an early childhood education program to children ages 3  to 5 years of age.
• Thorough understanding of state-licensing guidelines and ability to adhere and abide by all licensing rules and policies.
• Administers prescription and/or over the counter medications based on authorized documentation from physician.
• Prepares curriculum plans, program materials, equipment and other necessary items.
• Maintains a variety of records, including registrations, reservations, permission slips, purchasing, accidents, vandalism, medical records, and other sensitive documents.
• Communicate with parents, co-workers, and supervisor in a timely and professional manner.

Head Childcare Attendant

The Wheat Ridge Recreation Center provides a drop-in childcare facility that is open 6 days a week at various hours and is staffed by a team of Child Care Attendants and a Head Child Care Attendant. Below is a list of duties that are illustrative only and are not intended to be all inclusive:

• Responsible for providing a safe and fun environment for children utilizing the Children’s Pavilion, primarily supervising the activities of young children, assisting the supervisor, and giving oversight to assigned staff.
• Develop positive relations with customers; communicate recreation programs information to participants and parents.  
• Responsible for the enforcement of all childcare policies, as well as general building policies.
• Responsible for overseeing the activities of assigned personnel to include instructions and daily direction; scheduling and assigning work to employees; providing direction to improve performance as required; providing input to the supervisor regarding employee actions; assist in the recruitment of subordinates; assist in training staff.

General Programs & Athletic Programs

• Plan and implement classes, activities, specialty classes, events as assigned for participants; develop lesson plans for activities and purchase supplies/equipment needed.
• Provide a safe and fun environment in which patrons, as well as parents, feel comfortable; provide corrective action as needed; actively participate in activities attached to program/class.
• Ability to lead and/or assist in a variety of general interest programs including but no limited to parent/tot classes, cooking classes, arts/crafts classes, youth events, and summer camp programs.
• Implement new general interest programs that align with your passions and experience.
• Ability to work in the licensed camp program the department offers during winter and summer camp seasons as a licensed specialist. For this role, the candidate must possess basic swimming skills and be comfortable supervising and participating in water-related activities.

Administrative & Other Duties

• Attends scheduled staff meetings, supervisory sessions, trainings and conferences.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of the department's RecTrac registration software, for the purpose of managing program registrations, printing rosters, and accessing household information for communications.
• Monitor and purchase supplies as needed.
• Ensure all possible safety measures are observed; taking proper care of equipment, conducting regular inspections of program sites, providing adequate training for staff in safety procedures.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of state licensing policies and ensure complete compliance in our licensed program operations.
• Exercise supervision of various levels of part-time team members.
• Other duties assigned as appropriate by the position.

Requirements

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Training (must meet one):

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field such as Child Development, Child Psychology, Family Studies, etc.
• Bachelor’s degree in another field plus early childhood coursework.
• Associate’s degree in Early Childhood/Child Development.
• Colorado teaching license with Early Childhood or Elementary endorsement.
• Colorado Early Childhood Professional Credential (Level II or higher).
• Current CDA (Child Development Associate) or Department-approved credential.
• Combination of approved training and/or experience caring for children under age 8 with required early childhood coursework.

Experience and Certifications:

• Two (2) years' experience in related field. 
• Supervisory experience of part-time team members.
• Substitutions –include education for experience, experience for education or a combination of the two.
• Infant/Child/Adult CPR, AED and First Aid certifications required within 45 days of hire.
• A valid driver’s license and safe driving record throughout employment.
• For licensing purposes; State background check, Federal fingerprinting, medication certification, universal precautions, and bloodborne pathogens certifications are required within 45 days of hire

Vocational Competency- Must have knowledge of general principles and methods of program planning for a diverse demographics including individuals with disabilities and individuals of all ages. Passion for the impact Parks and Recreation has on the community. 

State Licensing- Knowledge and experience of the operations of a state licensed program.
Technology- previous experience or ability to quickly learn city software’s including the registration software (Rec Trac), Paycom , Microsoft SharePoint, and other city/online systems.

Organization- Must have ability to coordinate, organize, prioritize, and record many tasks demonstrating excellent organizational skills.
Supervision- Must be able to assign, instruct, supervise and direct the work of direct reports. Must be able to enforce policies and rules firmly, tactfully, and impartially.

Time Management- Must take initiative and be able to manage multiple projects at a time and adjust to shifts in priorities. Must be able to prioritize tasks in a timely manner.

Communication- Must be able to present ideas clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing, to multiple audiences. Must have good diplomacy, communication, and conflict management skills. Have ability to handle difficult and stressful situations with composure along with emergency situations. Listens to others and facilitates an open exchange of ideas. Must possess excellent customer service and interpersonal skills. Ability to establish working relationships and deal tactfully with staff, outside organizations, customers, and other department and agency employees team members.

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: Must be able to use sound judgement and discretion in decision making. Must be able to recognize, analyze, and solve a variety of problems. Must be able handle confidential information with discretion. Must assume responsibility for task initiative and completion.

HOURS OF WORK, LOCATION, AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: This is a full-time position that will primarily work Monday-Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm but there will be times where weekend or evening work hours will be necessary for certain events, programs, classes etc. Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment.  Work involves working closely with others and occasionally working alone. Work environment may, depending on area, involve frequent exposure to irritating chemicals, machinery and its moving parts, slippery or uneven walking surfaces, dust, dirt, heat, cold, fumes, odors, noise, wetness, humidity, solvents, oils, and gases. This role requires a high degree of manual skill; needs the ability to hear, focus on close work, and use hands to fingers.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to bend, crouch or stoop, reach, climb, lift, carry, push or pull objects weighing less than 24 lbs. This position involves intermittently sitting, standing and walking.

The City of Wheat Ridge is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and inclusivity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, marital status or any other applicable characteristics protected by law, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification. The City of Wheat Ridge will consider reasonable accommodations for employment to qualified applicants upon request to the Human Resources Office. 

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position.