Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY: The Education Assistant is responsible for assisting students with their homework as well as initiating creative and engaging activities. Full time hours during spring and summer camps.
Duties And Responsibilities

• Keeps all information regarding students and families in the strictest of confidence;
• Assists students with homework, reading, writing, and math;
• Assists in delivery of age appropriate play, personal development and care service which is responsive student needs;
• Works with students, sometimes with challenging behaviour, to develop the skills needed to participate in other services, which were previously not seen as appropriate or from which they have been excluded;
• Maintains the health and safety of all children through vigilant supervision and attention to environment at all times;
• Models appropriate behaviour and language at all times;
• Supports each child's development including cultural, physical, intellectual, emotional and social needs;
• Incorporates as much culturally appropriate activities into the program;
• Delivers activities such as art/crafts, reading with the students, playing (indoor and outdoor);
• Performs cleaning and sanitizing duties including toys, furniture, equipment, supplies, bathrooms and coat room as per the daily cleaning schedule;
• Maintains a clean, safe and nurturing learning environment;
• Performs general housekeeping duties such as laundry, snack preparation, cleaning after snack time, and supply organization;
• Monitors areas of responsibility for opportunities for improvement and innovation and works proactively to implement these;
• Attends departmental and staff meetings and events as required;
• Adheres to departmental policies and procedures, and all other policies, bylaws and laws adopted by Council as well as legislated policies;
• Ensures that service quality standards are maintained and consistently delivered in all areas of responsibility;
• Maintains strict confidentiality and exercises sound judgment and discretion when dealing with sensitive issues;
• Presents a professional, positive and helpful attitude at all times;
• Promotes a safe work place; ensures that all established safety procedures are followed;
• Carries out other duties essential to the position as directed by the Education Manager.

Education and Experience

• Grade 12 graduation (Dogwood or BC Adult Graduation Diploma); ECE Certificate or diploma an asset, accepting students in current field of study.
• Valid FoodSafe Level 1 certificate;
• Possession of a valid WHMIS certificate;
• Valid Child Safe first aid and CPR certificate;
• Experience working with children aged 4 - 17 years an asset;
• Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check is required as a condition of employment;

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Sound knowledge of children's games and their rules;
• Working knowledge of activities to enhance child development;
• Advanced interpersonal and organizational skills and extremely detail-oriented;
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills;
• Ability to connect and build relationships with children in a positive way to encourage engagement and participation and have fun;
• Ability to engage effectively with vulnerable or socially excluded individuals;
• Ability to provide, obtain or follow clear, concise and accurate information orally and in writing;
• Ability to establish and maintain respectful, cooperative and productive working relationships;
• Ability to respond effectively to many types of situations, including crisis or conflict situations, and to react quickly with good judgment, discretion, diplomacy and tact;
• Ability to work independently with limited direction, act on own initiative, and meet changing or concurrent deadlines;
• Ability to deal effectively and efficiently with occasionally aggressive or demanding individuals to provide or obtain information to clarify or resolve issues;
• Ability to following safe work procedures;
• Strong work ethic including the ability to take initiative; to attend work on a regular and consistent basis, and to demonstrate a collaborative approach to problem solving.

Personal Attributes
The Education Assistant maintains strict confidentiality in performing their duties and demonstrates the following personal attributes: Respect, Empathy, Strength, Pride and Equality

Skills Required