Assistant Teacher (Dutchess County Children’s Center)

Poughkeepsie, NY
Part Time to Full Time
Community Programs
Mid Level

Our Why: To Support Everyone’s Right to Thrive

 

Title: Assistant Teacher (Dutchess County Children’s Center)

Status: Non-exempt

Salary: $20.00 per hour

Supervisor: Lead Teacher  

Schedule: 31.5 hours weekly (63 per pay period) *Will change to 35 hours July 2025

  • Monday’s: 1:30pm-5pm
  • Tuesday’s: 9am-5pm
  • Wednesday’s: 9am-5pm
  • Thursday’s: 9am-5pm
  • Friday’s: 9am-5pm

 

Overview: The Children’s Center Assistant Teacher assists the Lead Teacher at the Children’s Center at the Dutchess County Family Court in compliance with all NYS Office of Court Administration Children’s Center Program agreements and requirements. The Assistant Teacher provides a safe and creative curriculum for children while their families attend court business and offers consultation to families for resources within the community. The position enthusiastically supports, practices, and communicates the agency’s Mission and Statement of Values.

 

Position Requirements:

  • Associates in early childcare/education and a minimum of 1 year of experience working with children OR
  • NYS Certificate in childcare and a minimum of 2 years of experience working with children OR
  • High School Diploma and a minimum of 3 years of experience working with children
  • The successful candidate ideally will have experience in children’s programming for mixed ages, crisis management, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and community resources.
  • A demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive relationships with all levels of program and administrative staff.
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to work well in a fast-paced, high-stress environment.
  • Commitment to cultural responsiveness and trauma-informed practices.
  • An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered. 

 

We value flexibility and support in our work environment and offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives.

Our benefit packages include:

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • 403(b) retirement plan with employer match up to 5%.
  • Generous paid vacation, holiday, sick and personal time (2 weeks’ vacation to start, 13 paid holidays per year, 12 sick days per year and 4 personal days per year). Time is accrued based on hour worked.
  • Employee assistance program (EAP).
  • Access to Family Services’ Compassionate Leave Program where employees can donate/receive unused time off.
  • Group term life and long-term disability insurance.
  • Supplemental life insurance & accidental death and dismemberment coverage (AD&D), supplemental insurance through Aflac.
  • Pet insurance.

 

Our Mission:

Family Services brings people together to find the support they need, improving their lives and communities, and building a stronger safer Hudson Valley.

 

Our Values:

Compassion – Extending empathy and understanding to others.

Integrity – Being honest and dependable.

Hope – Believing in the strength of the human spirit and heart, to emerge and thrive when faced with a challenge.

Diversity – Promoting a vision of community comprised of wide-ranging assets.

Respect – Treating all individuals with dignity and without judgement.

Community – Recognizing and reinforcing the importance of our world as being comprised of people of differing strengths and perspectives.

Justice – Promoting social and economic equity and fairness.

Quality – Aspiring for excellence in every aspect of our work.

 

Position Responsibilities:

Program Administration

  • Responsible for the direct care and safety of the children left in the Children’s Center.
  • Implements and maintains the health and safety protocol/procedures and maintains visible instructive printouts of these procedures.
  • Will assure the Center is in compliance with all program safety and confidentiality guidelines.
  • Monitor and engage children in age-appropriate activities and play.
  • Assist with diaper changes, feeding and maintaining a clean and safe environment.
  • Preparing required intakes and reports.
  • Prepares and submits monthly reports to appropriate entities.
  • Secures the intake paperwork in proper location.
  • Maintains statistical records necessary for reports and research.
  • Planning, development and evaluation of program activities.
  • Designs and carries out curriculum and activities based on the needs and development of children in Center at any given time.
  • Develops and implements monthly/seasonal themes and constructive activities in a long-range plan
  • Assisting with the distribution of referral and resource information to caregivers based on their and their children’s needs.
  • Remains informed on current local resources and services.
  • Assesses the needs of the caregiver and will respond to them through referrals to an appropriate agency/program.
  • Providing appropriate, creative, supportive interactions with the children in the center in group and individual activities.
  • Develop creative “in-class” programs based on age and present teachable moments

Community/Partner Liaison

  • As a representative of the Agency, share our values, knowledge, and skills with other organizations, community groups, regulatory bodies, and key stakeholders. Maintain good relationships with stakeholders and partners to advocate for clients and those working in the field of human services.
  • Participate in program outreach to the community and expand service reach by researching community organizations and providing community outreach through presentations.

General Responsibilities:

  • Participate in agency-wide and agency-appointed committees to facilitate agency program initiatives and services to the community
  • Completes all work and reporting functions in a timely fashion
  • Communicates regularly and effectively with Family Services staff and Courthouse personnel
  • Successfully moves into problem-solving mode when challenges or concerns arise and translates strategic thinking into action
  • Develops, coaches, and retains high-performing staff, empowering them to elevate their performance
  • Demonstrates solid interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships, motivate and manage a team, and gain the confidence and credibility of key internal and external stakeholders
  • Responds supportively to changes in programs and policies and taking a broad view of one’s position by assuming additional responsibilities when the need arises.

 

Skills and Abilities:

  • Skillset in working with children:
  • Creativity, Behavioral Management, Patience, Empathy, Enthusiasm, Adaptability
  • Computer literacy
  • Strategic thinking
  • Organizational skills
  • Time management
  • Communication and public speaking skills
  • Innovative thinker and solution-oriented
  • Sound judgement

 

#INDCP

 

Work Environment: Majority of time will be spent at the Children’s Center at the Dutchess County Family Court, working with children and families who are under stress and dealing with difficult situations, and occasionally on program sites, in the community, and travel to offsite meetings and events.

Family Services, Inc. complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact hr@familyservicesny.org.

Family Services is an equal opportunity employer. We follow federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination in hiring and employment.

Must be authorized to work in the United States without work sponsorship.

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