Educator Trainee - The Dimock Center

You are a caring, hard-working individual who thrives in a team environment and is committed to excellence.

The Dimock Center is a federally qualified community health center that heals and uplifts individuals, families and communities. Our vision is to redefine the model of a healthy community by creating equitable access to comprehensive health care and education. We promote a culture of respect, excellence, equal opportunity, and commitment to our employees and the communities we serve.

Our Child and Family Services programs offer quality care, education and support to young children and their families.

Summary/Objective:

The Educator trainee gains in-service experience with early childhood classroom operations while working under the mentorship and support of experienced educators and content area specialists. Working in a supportive role within the classroom, they work alongside teaching staff to provide safe and nurturing learning environments, routines, and interactions that promote positive outcomes for young children and families. They ensure safety and supervision of children at all times by adhering to all program policies and in accordance with all Federal, State, and local standards and best practices. Educator trainees have the opportunity to complete the supervised work experience and receive support in accessing the coursework and/or professional development required to attain MA Department of Early Education and Care Teacher certification.

Essential Functions

1. Supports teachers and assistant teachers in daily activities designed to foster children’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development, and to successfully engage all learners, including those with diverse learning needs and those for whom English is a second language.
2. Performs assigned classroom duties and supports routines including but not limited to greeting families, preparing activity supplies, assisting with transitions, and assisting in care routines such as napping, mealtimes, and diapering/toileting.
3. Learns and practices integrating The Pyramid Model for Promoting Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children into routines, interactions, and activities.
4. Interacts respectfully with children, families, and colleagues.
5. As assigned by mentoring teachers, supports teachers and assistant teachers in following weekly lesson plans that align with the program’s established curriculum, MA Early Learning Standards, and the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework.
6. In partnership with teachers and assistant teachers, shares feedback on the observed interests, skills, and abilities of assigned children for the purposes of: completing developmental assessments, individualizing instruction, assessing and reporting on children’s progress toward learning objectives, and providing timely referrals for services as needed.
7. Under the guidance of classroom teachers, practices positive discipline techniques with children to promote positive behavior and prevent or reduce the likelihood of challenging behavior in compliance with all State licensing regulations and program policies.
8. Ensures children’s safety at all times, including providing appropriate active supervision both in and outdoors, and supporting educators in maintaining a clean, well-organized classroom.
9. Practices family partnership by acknowledging all families, valuing diversity, inviting input, responding to concerns with sensitivity and respect, and sharing strength-based observations of child’s skills, interests, and abilities.
10. Assists teachers in communicating regularly with Family Services Specialists (FSS) and content area specialists to coordinate efforts to respond appropriately to child and family needs.
11. Participates in team meetings, training, and other educational activities to promote team building and professional development.
12. Establishes and maintains a relationship of cooperation and respect with colleagues. Participates actively in teaching team responsibilities through communication and collaboration.
13. Keeps timely, accurate records as assigned.
14. Works collaboratively with supervisor to develop and follow an Individualized Professional Development Plan (IPDP) to guide short and long-term training, educational, and coaching goals and plans.
15. Maintains the highest degree of professionalism at all times, including, but not limited to: adherence to dress code, to NAEYC Code of Ethics, to Child & Family code of conduct, and to consistency of care through regular attendance and punctuality.
16. As a mandated reporter, recognizes and reports suspected physical and sexual abuse to the appropriate authorities as required by law.
17. Maintains confidentiality at all times.
18. Other duties as assigned.

Competencies

1. Takes responsibility for delivery of services as part of team effort in unit/department.
2. Takes initiative in making suggestions for improvement of services.
3. Meets deadlines without causing undue disruption.
4. Utilizes human resources, time, and supplies efficiently.
5. Incorporates organization mission, goals, and policies into daily work to foster an inclusive, supportive, and culturally responsive environment for children and adults.
6. Positively represents the Dimock Center in all interactions with visitors, families, colleagues, and community partners.

Work Environment
This position is primarily classroom-based which includes both indoor and outdoor environments. This position may be assigned primarily to one classroom location or may be assigned to act as a resource to more than one classroom and/or department depending upon the current staffing needs of the program.

Physical Demands

Duties require standing, walking, and sitting for long periods of time.

May require lifting up to 40 lbs., with frequent carrying of up to 25 lbs.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
Early Head Start & Head Start programs: Monday – Friday; various shifts as scheduled between 8:15am – 3:45pm

Foundations for Learning program: Monday – Friday; various shifts as scheduled between 7:30am - 5:30pm.

Compensation: Range tends to be from $17 - $20 per hour depending on experience and qualifications.

Required Education and Experience

1. This is an entry-level position. High School diploma or equivalency required.
2. Enrollment in college-level coursework or CDA program strongly encouraged
3. Bilingual skills: English/Spanish, English/Cape Verdean or Haitian Creole a plus.

Other Duties
Note this job description is not designed to cover a comprehensive listing of duties that are required of the employee for this job. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

EEO Statement

At The Dimock Center, we are deeply committed to fostering an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. We value the diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of both our staff and the communities we serve. We believe that a team rich in diversity is essential to our mission of providing high-quality, accessible health and human services to all. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply and are dedicated to creating a welcoming, supportive workplace where everyone can thrive and contribute to our collective impact.