Dream Centers of Colorado Springs Child Watch Coordinator Colorado Springs, CO · Part time Company website

Apply for Child Watch Coordinator

Dream Centers is a faith-based non-profit organization founded in 2011 to provide health and hope to people of Colorado Springs who are working to rebuild their dreams. Mary’s Home, a program of Dream Centers, opened in 2015. Mary’s Home is a faith-based supportive housing program that provides single mother families with the opportunity to gain holistic health and sufficient career resources so as to live a stable and successful life.

Schedule: Primarily mornings and early afternoons; occasional evenings

Key Responsibilities

Child Care & Programming (50%)

• Provide direct supervision and care for children ages 6 weeks to 6 years old for 3-6 hours daily
• Create and maintain a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for children
• Implement age-appropriate Christian religious education curriculum and activities
• Apply trauma-informed care and resilience-building approaches in all interactions with children
• Plan and lead daily structured activities, including crafts, games, stories, and learning exercises
• Maintain appropriate records regarding child attendance, behavior, and developmental progress
• Address behavioral issues using trauma informed and resilience practices, avoiding any form of discipline, but re-direct children to more appropriate behaviors
• Communicate regularly with mothers regarding their children's experiences and development
• Request, maintain, and prepare materials so they are adequate, appropriate, and safe. Maintain the outdoor area and classroom in a safe and clean manner, and meet all health and safety standards, including CACFP regulations.
• Demonstrate acceptance of all children (and their families) including those with special needs, behavioral challenges, diversity of culture, race, ethnicity and parental choices.

Volunteer & Staff Management (30%)

• Recruit, screen, and train child watch volunteers in coordination with the Director of Volunteer Engagement
• Schedule volunteers to ensure adequate coverage for all child watch shifts
• Provide ongoing support, guidance, and feedback to volunteers
• Facilitate regular volunteer meetings and training sessions
• Monitor volunteer performance and address any concerns
• Maintain volunteer records and hours

Administration & Communication (20%)

• Ensure all child watch areas meet safety standards and regulations
• Maintain inventory of supplies and request replenishment as needed
• Document and report any incidents or concerns related to children in the program
• Attend regular staff meetings and contribute to program development
• Communicate effectively with Mary's Home staff to ensure coordinated services

Qualifications

Required

• Strong Christian faith and commitment to incorporating Biblical teachings into childcare
• First Aid and infant, child & adult CPR certification and mandatory reporter training within 60 days of employment and maintained as required
• 2+ years' experience working with children ages 0-6 in a professional capacity
• Knowledge of child development and age-appropriate activities
• Deep commitment to and knowledge of trauma-informed care and resilience practices for children
• Ability to manage multiple children with varying needs simultaneously
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Background check clearance
• High school diploma or equivalent

Preferred

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field
• Previous experience implementing Christian education curriculum
• Experience coordinating volunteers
• Understanding of the unique needs of children from challenging backgrounds
• Training in ACEs, resilience science, or child development
• Experience working with children impacted by trauma, abuse, homelessness, or systemic poverty
• Experience selecting or developing curriculum
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry children up to 40 pounds
• Ability to bend, stoop, sit on floor, and stand for extended periods
• Ability to move quickly in response to children's needs
• Position requires physical mobility, with or without reasonable accommodation if requested, to perform essential functions of the job.
• Job involves sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, reaching grasping, bending, stooping, crouching, pushing and/or pulling.
• Exerting 20 to 40 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects including the human body.
• The ability to make fast, simple, and repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.
• The ability to endure physically and emotionally working with pre-school age children for long periods of time.
• The ability to see objects or movement of objects to one’s side when the eyes are focused forward.
• The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• The ability to see details at a distance.
• The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.

Background Check Requirements

• All candidates must consent to a Criminal Check, Employment Verification, Education Check, Pre-employment drug test, Colorado Department of Human Services for fingerprints and background inquiry, Motor Vehicle Record