Principal Responsibilities:

Essential Functions of the Position:

• Meeting all Bender JCC and Maryland State Department of Education licensing requirements.

• Accepting the supervision, direction and mentoring by the lead teacher, Curriculum Director and the Director of ECE.
• Supporting daily plans under the direction of the lead teacher and coordinating with other support staff who may work in the classroom.
• Taking a leadership role when a substitute replaces the lead teacher.
• Serving as the lead educator when the lead teacher leaves at the end of the day. When the morning assistant is present, he/she will take the leadership position. When the morning assistant leaves for the day, the salaried afternoon assistant will take the leadership position. The assistant in the leadership role will plan and execute activities with the closing assistant.
• Supporting the educational experience of the students and their families in line with the current school philosophy.
• Encouraging the use of Jewish content in the curriculum.
• Using documentation to plan with the lead teacher and follow through with on those plans as well as those provided by the lead teacher.
• Communicating with the lead teacher concerning incidents and issues in the classroom.
• Being familiar with student files which include student allergies, health issues which may impact the classroom, and family situations.
• Participating in school set-up prior to opening day and school clean up at the end of the year.
• Attending to the personal hygiene of students, as needed, including, but not limited to, changing soiled clothes and diapers.
• Leaving only when an authorized adult has picked up each child, or his/her care has been entrusted to a teacher, an assistant teacher or an administrator on the school staff.

Other Responsibilities:

• Taking part in the daily clean-up of the classroom, which includes but is not limited to, putting all toys and equipment away, making sure all food items are wrapped and put away in accordance to licensing and wiping down the tables and chairs. In addition, the refrigerator and freezer is to be checked weekly to remove old or unwanted items.
• Preparing snacks for the classroom and maintaining the kitchen areas neat and clean, as well as, cubbies, hallways and playground.

Additional Agreements:

• Attendance at the ECC Open House Brunch, Back to School Night and other school events beyond school hours as determined by the ECC Director. In addition, you must participate in at least one Center-wide program, such as Chanukah, Purim or Good Deeds Day.
• Filling out and submitting all necessary paperwork within the established timeframes. Failure to fill out and submit paperwork can result in delay of pay.
• Leaving the school during the work day without prior permission of the ECC Director; solicitation of gratuities; striking or verbally abusing a child; sexual misconduct; possession, use or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol; or other misconduct while at work or during work-related responsibilities are just causes for immediate termination of this agreement.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:

• Physical ability to insure the safety and care of the children, including, but not limited to, lifting, carrying and chasing children.
• Meeting the physical requirements of the job as outlined in the Bender JCC Preschool Staff Handbook.
• Ability to stand in adult and wading pool to supervise swimming if on staff during the summer months.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Strong written and spoken language skills;

• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Knowledge of best practice in Early Childhood education and a commitment to continued education.
• Openness to feedback from colleagues and administrators.

Educational Degree(s), Professional Degree(s), or Certificate(s) Required:

• Obtaining and maintaining current First Aid and CPR training and certification.

• 4 year College Degree*

or

• 90-hour certificate in early childhood curriculum & development* or early childhood coursework with 1 year experience working with preschool children in an approved center or equivalent work experience.

• If you do not have the 90-hour certificate in early childhood curriculum & development or the equivalent college courses, you must begin the class during your first 6 months of employment and complete it with a passing grade within the first year of employment.

Other Requirements:

• Knowledge of, and respect for, the mission of the Bender JCC.
• Knowledge of the rules and regulations of the Bender JCC, including its Personnel Handbook, and to abide by them

• Work in a team environment.

• Communicate effectively with others, verbally and in writing
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as needed, required, or assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:

• Physical ability to insure the safety and care of the children, including, but not limited to, lifting, carrying and chasing children.
• Meeting the physical requirements of the job as outlined in the Bender JCC Preschool Staff Handbook.
• Ability to stand in adult and wading pool to supervise swimming if on staff during the summer months.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Strong written and spoken language skills;

• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Knowledge of best practice in Early Childhood education and a commitment to continued education.
• Openness to feedback from colleagues and administrators.

Educational Degree(s), Professional Degree(s), or Certificate(s) Required:

• Obtaining and maintaining current First Aid and CPR training and certification.

• 4 year College Degree*

or

• 90-hour certificate in early childhood curriculum & development* or early childhood coursework with 1 year experience working with preschool children in an approved center or equivalent work experience.

• If you do not have the 90-hour certificate in early childhood curriculum & development or the equivalent college courses, you must begin the class during your first 6 months of employment and complete it with a passing grade within the first year of employment.

Other Requirements:

• Knowledge of, and respect for, the mission of the Bender JCC.
• Knowledge of the rules and regulations of the Bender JCC, including its Personnel Handbook, and to abide by them

• Work in a team environment.

• Communicate effectively with others, verbally and in writing
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as needed, required, or assigned

Agency Information:

The Bender JCC of Greater Washington is one of the largest metropolitan JCCs in the country. Our mission is create a welcoming and inclusive environment, connecting the people of our Jewish community with each other, Israel, and the broader community. We inspire individuals of all ages and backgrounds to enhance their social, physical, intellectual and spiritual well-being through programs of excellence rooted in Jewish values.

The Bender JCC is a neighborhood a place to feel comfortable, make new friends and meet up with old friends. It is your place to schmooze, work out, learn a new skill, discuss a book, listen to a concert, see a film and much more.