Special Needs Child Care Worker - Trinity UMC, Denver, CO

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

Trinity United Methodist Church in Denver, Colorado is seeking an experienced and compassionate Special Needs Child Care Attendant to assist in caring for pre-school and primary-school aged children with developmental disabilities.  This part-time position involves being present on Sunday mornings for Sunday school and available for special events such as Parent’s Night Out, VBS, etc.  The successful candidate will have a passion for working with children, have strong experience in caring for those with special needs, and will be able to work on Sundays, evenings and weekends as needed.
 
PRIMARY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Implementing assigned individual or group activities with children that are designed to fit their needs
• Working with special needs children in various activities that may include arts and crafts, music and dance, storytelling, and other activities as designed
• Preparing and serving snacks
• Maintaining child safety and sanitation standards
• Reporting any signs on unusual behavior or a child’s illness to the group teacher and Assistant for Children’s Ministry
• Assisting children with a variety of tasks at their pace and level of need as directed
• Suggesting alternatives to activities to the Assistant or Director for Children’s Ministry to accommodate special needs
• Providing direct child-care to special needs children from toddlers to elementary aged children.
• Providing an enriching, fun, and safe learning environment
• Following curriculum guidelines
• Assisting and or provide age and developmentally appropriate individual and group activities
• Providing positive and productive communications with all stakeholders including children, families, parents, team members, volunteers

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS
 
This position must be experienced in the following areas:
 
Child care for Special Needs children that may include a spectrum of development disabilities including autism, ADHD, sensory disorders, etc.
 At least 1 year of experience with Special Needs children
 
This position must possess the following characteristics:

• Honor and maintain confidentiality at all times
• Knowledge of child development and age-appropriate expectations for young children (birth – 5th grade)
• Ability to stay calm in all situations and to respond to children in a quiet and reassuring manner
• Ability to adapt, adjust and or modify activities to meet the developmental needs of each child
• Ability to be open minded and non-judgmental
• Ability to communicate effectively both in writing and orally
• Operate in a team environment and contribute to team success through collaborative processes
• Demonstrate commitment to diversity and inclusion
• Ability to manage difficult behaviors
• Comply with rules, regulations and procedures

SCHEDULE AND HOURS
 
The time commitment for this position is from 9:15am – 12:15pm on Sundays, year-round. Working under the Director of Children’s Ministry, this position will maintain a flexible schedule during the week with a requirement to work on Sunday. Other hours may be variable and dependent upon youth scheduled activities and events.