Pre-K Educational Assistant - 32 hours part-time (Bernalillo location)

About the Opportunity

What we do today affects generations to come…Peanut Butter and Jelly Family Services, Inc. (PB & J) is a non-profit organization that has been serving New Mexico Families for fifty years. Our programming empowers and assists families in creating and implementing frameworks that lead to improved parent-child relationships, positive parenting practices, optimal child development, family safety, and increased knowledge of and access to community programs and services. Our Mission is to help at-risk children grow and develop to their full potential in nurturing families within a supportive community.

Position Summary

Under general supervision of lead teacher and supports of Prek Supervisor, staff will support classroom and student needs. Provide and implement developmentally appropriate practices and activities. Staff will provide additional supports and activities to the family to foster child’s developmental needs in the home. As a team create lesson plans following NM Prek lesson plan checklist. Work closely with teacher to document observations, concerns, and growths of child. Assist with any internal referrals if needed in regards to child’s/family needs. Complete required Prek/PBJ trainings and submit appropriate documents. Communicate in timely manner any staff needs to supervisor. Work in a team setting that supports all three locations. Support staff with outreach and recruitment. Staff will complete required NM Prek trainings following timeline set by NM Prek program. Staff will follow licensing and Pre-K requirements

Why You’re Right for this Job

You’re interested in making a positive impact for families.

You want to be a part of a team supporting families living in New Mexico.

You’re drawn to our mission.

You’re motivated by an internal desire to create positive change.

Please see the link below for more information regarding our organization and the program.

https://www.pbjfamilyservices.org/ 

Staff will travel to all three sites as needed to provide supports, collaborate with other sites and/or training.

Qualifications

The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the position.

Education and/or Experience

High School Diploma or G.E.D

45-hour childcare development coursework and two years related experience or training

Child Development Associate Certificate (working towards/completed)

Starting school year 2023-24 staff must be working towards Child development certificate/ AA in Early childhood

Skills

• Intermediate word processing skills
• Cultural competence
• Strong organizational skills
• Constructive interpersonal communication skills
• Dependability
• Understand and demonstrate agency Confidentiality and HIPAA privacy practices
• Bilingual

Abilities

Ability to read, analyze and interpret common scientific and technical journals, reports, legal documents, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and policy and procedure manuals. Ability to respond to inquiries or complaints from clients, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and reports that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to demonstrate cultural sensitivity in verbal and written formats. Ability to speak directly with others and engage in problem-resolution. 

Ability to identify and solve practical problems and address a variety of concrete variables in situations that may be complex. Ability to interpret a variety of written or verbal instructions and to understand diagrams and schedules. Ability to observe behavior and appropriately intervene in situations posing a threat to children. Ability to work independently and participate effectively within interdisciplinary teams. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions and consider several abstract and concrete variables.

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations

• Clear Criminal Records Clearance – required
• Current First Aid/CPR Certification – required
• Defensive Driver Certificate – required if operating a PB&J vehicle
• Current Automobile Liability Insurance – required if transporting clients in personal vehicle
• Valid NM Driver’s license– required if transporting clients in personal vehicle

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the person in this position, in order to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms: and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk and sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 

Exposure Category

The usual work routine may involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues.

Work Environment 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee frequently works in a classroom environment with a noise level that ranges from moderate to loud and will occasionally work off-site or in an office environment.  Employee will occasionally work in outside weather conditions during recess time or while traveling and/or conducting home visits. Employee will periodically work in potentially dangerous environments including detention facilities, jails, and prisons while fulfilling the requirements of the position. Work hours are considered flexible and employees are expected to periodically work evenings and weekends should agency and/or client needs require. 

The employee is required to drive an automobile in order to provide needed crisis intervention, assist clients with needed service acquisition, and perform required responsibilities in the client’s home during non-traditional hours when public or agency transportation is not available.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

Dental, Health and Vision insurance

AFLAC/Voluntary Life insurance

Legal Shield

EAP (Employee Assistance Program)

403(b) retirement

Flexible schedule

Vacation and Sick leave

14 holidays