CHILD CARE WORKER I 25350

(Competitive)

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

 

The work involves responsibility for performing duties connected with the care, treatment and rehabilitation of emotionally disturbed children. As a member of the children’s treatment team, an employee in this class actively participates with children on a daily basis by carrying out pre-planned, supervised activities within the overall framework of the child’s treatment plan. The employee acts as a positive role model for children and assists in the classroom, socialization activities, group therapy and other scheduled activities in the child’s day, with the aim of establishing trust, building healthy relationships and enhancing emotional growth in the child. Children are assisted on a daily basis to reach individual treatment goals. Work is performed following the policies and procedures developed for the assigned program. Work is performed under the supervision of a Child Care Worker II, Child Care Supervisor or a special education teacher. Incumbents must successfully pass a background check. Does related work as required.

 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

 

Participates in the child’s daily scheduled activities in the classroom, socialization, recreation and other planned programs.

Provides emotional support to the children through out the day.

Instructs, guides, and counsels children by example, direction and advice to assist them in achieving better patterns of social behavior, personal hygiene and academic success.

Observes and evaluates assigned children’s behaviors during the day including group interactions, and classroom and recreation activities; makes notations and advises other treatment team members about these observations.

Attends team meetings to discuss treatment progress, problems and revisions.

Oversees cafeteria meals and helps maintain a safe, clean organized workplace.

Prepares a variety of routine records, notes, and reports as required.

Observes, learns and applies basic techniques and principles employed by the child care team.

Reports on progress of children towards reaching their treatment goals.

Attends training and stays current on such procedures as CPR and therapeutic techniques.

May operate a light motor vehicle for field trips, summer camp, etc.

 

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

 

Working knowledge of child development and behavior.

Working knowledge of the techniques and procedures for the care and treatment of emotionally disturbed children.

Ability to care for and understand children with mental and emotional problems.

Ability to relate well and to establish a rapport with children and tolerate deviant behavior.

Ability to conduct recreational activities for children with mental and emotional problems.

Ability to observe behavior and prepare anecdotal reports.

Ability to promote efficient group and team functioning.

Ability to work efficiently and effectively with a multi-disciplinary team.

Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 

A) Successful completion of fifteen (15) semester credit hours in the behavioral sciences, human services, education, recreation, child care or a field closely related to child care from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees; or,

B) Six (6) months of work experience, or its part time equivalent, as a teacher or teacher's aide or assistant in a school, education program or day care center; as a therapy aide in a center for the mentally or developmentally disabled; as a psychiatric aide in a public or private mental health hospital; as a recreation leader/manager responsible for scheduling and planning activities in a recognized recreation program within a facility; or in a human services position in a closely related field.

08/2019 Revised