Early Childhood Provider - Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest

Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest is a non-profit organization with Corporate Offices in Phoenix and Tucson and additional offices throughout Arizona.

Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest administers programs and services to help build collaborative Community Partnerships and strengthen individuals, families, and communities.

Working for our organization is a positive, challenging and rewarding experience with opportunities for personal and professional development.

General Description

The Early Childhood Provider is an integral part of the team working to increase family Protective Factors through parenting activities, assistance in day-to-day operations of the Family Resource Centers, and ensuring the implementation of the Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening & Support. Under the direct supervision of the Program Manager, the Early Childhood Provider will supervise children while parents attend other Family Resource Center Activities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

Supervisory Responsibilities: None.

Example of a Daily Schedule:

Early Childhood Specialist will work four to five hours per day Monday - Friday including till 6:30 one night per week. Four hours one Saturday per month. Daily activities may include setting up, co-facilitation, and cleaning up for daily parent and child interaction activities, entering attendance data, going to storage, and/or preparing materials for future parenting activities.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma with 12 hours of College level Early Childhood Education or 2 years of early childhood classroom experience. Ability to participate as a member of a team, including collaboration, cross-training, and mutual assistance.
• Experience and comfort working with young children birth to 5 and their parents/ caregivers
• Experience and ability to use computer hardware and Microsoft Office software
• Current CPR, First Aid certification, Current Level 1Fingerprint Card and TB.
• Obtain and maintain up to date COVID 19 vaccinations when available.
• Clear a criminal background and motor vehicle screening; must have a clear driving record for at least 39 months.
• Reliable transportation
• Clear the Department of Economic Security, Central Registry Background Check.
• Good time management ability and ability to work independently.
• Obtain training as required by funder within 180 days of hire.

Ongoing Professional Development

• Create and implement an annual Professional Development Plan related to professional growth in this position.
• Complete and Maintain Certification in Standards of Quality for Family Support and Strengthening
• Participate in ongoing Professional Development Training per fiscal year related to this position.

Obtain and maintain Service Coordination Curriculum Certification/ Accreditation relevant to position.

Language Skills:

Bilingual English/Spanish is strongly preferred. Ability to communicate clearly. Ability to listen and perceive need, working with people from diverse backgrounds non-judgmentally. Ability to effectively present and represent LSS-SW and the program's needs to religious and community groups as well as others in the social services community.

Mathematical Skills:

Good ability to calculate figures.

Reasoning Abilities:

Ability to define problems, collect data, evaluate information, draw conclusions, and take appropriate action based on this information. Ability and confidence to make decisions when appropriate and when to solicit guidance from Regional Director.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to work within mission of LSS-SW.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to sit or stand for long periods of time.
• The employee frequently is required to use hands to hold objects and operate office equipment.
• The employee is required to be able to listen and communicate effectively.
• The employee may be required to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment varies with the activity level of the facility.
• The employee must be willing to drive to community locations and client's home and able to orientate and navigate well within Program's boundary.
• Maintain valid AZ Driver License, vehicle insurance and reliable transportation.

All positions at Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest require a background check.