Childcare Specialist, Full-Time bei Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, MN

About the Department

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board's Youth and Recreation Centers Programs Department is accepting applications for an experienced Childcare Specialist to provide safe, dependable childcare for school age children (ages 5-12 years) on a year-round basis at assigned Recreation Plus sites. Ensure the environment and recreation-based curriculum provides learning experiences to meet each participant's needs.

This position works a split shift from 6:45AM to 9:45AM AND 1:00PM to 6:00PM. Summer and school release hours are 10:00AM to 6:00PM.

JOIN OUR CREW, WE NEED YOU:

Join the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and make a difference in your community! We are seeking employees who love nature, people, and fun. Apply today and enjoy learning new skills, meeting new friends, and serving the community, all while working in our beautiful park system. Whether you are interested in recreation, environmental education, maintenance, or customer service, we have a job for you!

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of one of the premier park systems in the United States. Our picturesque lakes, neighborhood parks, recreation centers, and diversified programming make the park system an important component of what makes Minneapolis a great place to live, play, and work!

Position Duties

• Ensure every registered child is safely supervised and accounted for throughout each day.
• Plan, organize and develop recreation activities, special events and program curriculum (indoors/outdoors with some educational components) to provide sufficient recreation choices for children between the ages of five and twelve during the before- and afterschool hours, on release days as assigned, and during the summer.
• Provide direction to part-time Recreation staff.
• Appropriately and effectively take action on disciplinary issues and/or injuries involving children in a timely manner.
• Accurately maintain billing information; collect and monitor outstanding balances, send monthly bills and communicate with parents/guardians about billing.
• Accurately maintain records on children; ensure their private information is protected and secure such information according to Recreation Plus guidelines.
• Facilitate inclusion of children with special needs through collaboration with park staff, parent/guardian, therapeutic recreation staff and the Therapeutic Recreation and Inclusion Coordinator.
• Develop and facilitate programs and procedures in compliance with MPRB policies and standards.
• Assist MPRB in identifying and addressing the park and recreation needs of underserved and under-represented communities.

Minimum Qualifications

Need to Have:

• Four semesters of coursework from an accredited college or university with a focus in child/youth development, education, recreation or closely related field.
• Professional work experience performing childcare duties for children 5 - 12 years old in a facility-based childcare program: One (1) year.

• High School diploma or equivalent degree.
• Equivalent work experience and additional continued education:  at least three (3) years combined.

• Bachelor's degree in child/youth development, education, recreation or closely related field.

• CPR and First Aid certifications required within one (1) month of hire.
• 16 hours of training in any of the following topic areas: child development and learning; developmentally appropriate learning experiences; relationships with families; assessment, evaluation, and individualization; historical and contemporary development of early childhood education; professionalism; and health, safety, and nutrition. (Within 14 days of hire – MPRB provided)

• Knowledge of developmental needs of school age children between the ages of 5-12 years old.
• Knowledge of current principles and best practices in behavior management skills for school age children between the ages of 5-12 years old.
• Knowledge of current principles and best practices in working with children, ages 5–12, with special needs.
• Knowledge of current principles and best practices in recreation program planning.
• Outstanding customer service principles and practices and standards for a diverse customer base.

Other Qualifications

View a full list of qualifications and job description
Learn more about Veteran’s Preference 

Selection Process:
To apply for this full-time civil service position, applicants must complete an online application with supplemental questions at http://www.minneapolisparks.org/jobs. Late applications will be rejected.

What steps the selection process involves:

• We review your minimum qualifications.
• We rate your training and experience based on application materials and supplemental questions (30%).
• We conduct a structured panel interview (oral exam) (70%).
• We calculate your civil service score based on the above components and place you on the eligible list if all testing components are passed (passing score for each component and as an overall score is 70.00 or above). Eligible list will expire in three (3) months.
• We refer the top finalists to the hiring manager for an interview.
• References, including verification of employment and work performance, may be considered.
• We conduct a background check. Upon receiving a conditional offer of employment, the applicant will be asked to sign an informed consent allowing the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to obtain their criminal history in connection with the positions sought. View the MPRB Background Check Policy at https://www.minneapolisparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Background-Check-Policy.pdf.  Meets Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) enhanced background check with fingerprinting. 
• Vacation is negotiable at the time of offer. See Civil Service Rule 17.05 for Allowance, Calculation and Use of Vacation.