Therapeutic Caregiver

OVERALL SUMMARY

This non-exempt position is responsible through supervision and skill for providing a safe, playful and therapeutic environment for children at the Playroom. This position reports to the Playroom Coordinator.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Care for children ranging from 0-12 years old utilizing non-directive play, art media, and dramatic play to support the children’s social, emotional and physical development.
• Provide for children’s basic needs while in care including but not limited to changing diapers, preparing meals and feeding, as well as maintaining a clean and safe Playroom environment.
• Facilitate developmental growth for children by identifying developmental concerns and helping children to improve peer relationships, regulate emotions, and express their needs appropriately.
• Work with children individually and in groups.
• Administer standardized assessment tools that measure children’s developmental growth.
• Work with the Playroom team to organize and distribute in-kind donations of children’s clothes and toys.
• Develop and implement service plans based on assessment data.
• Participate in creating an environment where parents are assisted to create and experience shared positive emotions with each of their children.
• Support the parent/child relationship by helping parents with any concerns they might have in dealing with their child or parenting.
• Participate in planning and discussions around how best to support client families.
• Build supportive relationships with parents.
• Participate in weekly staff meetings; contribute observations concerning children to scheduled debriefings.
• Document children’s developmental progress and any concerns in the children’s behavior.
• Aid in coordination of Playroom and organizational activities with volunteers, staff members, and consultants.
• Required to work occasional weekend shifts over the year and assist at community events and with other outreach efforts. 
• Providing Front Door Reception coverage when needed.
• Enter Efforts To Outcome (ETO) data for Playroom when required.
• Undertake other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS 

• Four (4) years of work experience with children required or degree in Child Development, Psychology, Social work. 
• Previous experience working with children establishing and maintaining a fun and safe environment required.
• Ability to work in a high-pressure environment required.
• Ability to work with and sensitivity to the needs of diverse ethnic and cultural staff and client population.
• Ability to support parent/child relationships.
• Ability to be flexible, punctual and reliable.
• Basic computer skills required: word processing and internet search capabilities.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Proficiency in Spanish or Chinese (Cantonese or Mandarin).

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS

• Full-time (40 hours per week).  
  • Core hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm. 
  • Required to work up to 2 late shifts in a week to support program needs (eg: 10:30am - 6:30pm, 12:00pm - 8:00pm, etc). 
  • Required to work 2 weekend events in a calendar year. 
• Non-Exempt
• Position must pass fingerprinting requirement and will be reference checked.  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Typical Working Conditions: 
  • Combination of child care setting and standard office environment. Working with children includes activity indoors and outdoors, cooking, cleaning, diaper changes, contact with bodily fluids.
• Equipment Used:
  • Computer, phone, fax, copier, kitchen appliances.
• Essential Physical Tasks:
  • Position requires ability to lift up to 50 lbs.  Extensive sitting, bending, running and playing with children is expected in this position. 

Safe & Sound is committed to workforce diversity. Qualified applicants will receive full consideration without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin. 

Qualified candidates should submit a resume and a detailed cover letter to Human Resources at employment@safeandsound.org.