Summary

Provides a safe, stimulating environment for young children. Conducts individual and group activities to encourage learning and develop social interaction skills. Prepares and/or serves children's meals. Maintains appropriate records of attendance and activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Leads exercises to teach children to recognize colors, shapes, letters, and numbers; conducts activities designed to improve large and small muscle control and eye-hand coordination.
2. Prepares and leads play, reading, and quiet-time activities which encourage social interaction between children.
3. Prepares and/or serves breakfast, lunch, and snacks; cleans up after meals.
4. Supervises room(s) for children of various ages during rest periods.
5. Provides care for young children and infants, including changing diapers, feeding, and comforting.
6. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements

• High school diploma or GED; at least 6 months of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Knowledge of child cognitive, social, and skills development methods and techniques.
• Ability to understand and follow specific instructions and procedures.
• Knowledge of play, reading, and quiet-time activities for children.
• Child supervision skills.
• Ability to provide basic nutrition and hygiene services for infants and young children.
• Knowledge of child care facility, services and/or staff licensure and certification requirements.
• Ability to provide a supportive and caring environment for children.

Conditions of Employment

• Ability to secure and maintain a valid UNM Driver's License.
• A valid New Mexico Driver's License, or ability to obtain a valid NM Driver's License within six months of hire, is required for this job.
• Successful candidate must submit to post-offer, pre-employment physical examination and medical history check.
• Must work towards and/or maintain current CDA certification. 1st course must be started within 90 days of date of hire and 1 course completed each year thereafter. (Main Campus employees)
• Must obtain and maintain current adult, child & infant CPR and First Aid Certification. Initial certification must be achieved within 6 weeks of date of hire. (Main Campus employees).
• Must complete the NM 45-hour entry level training course, or equivalent, within 90 days of date of hire. (Main Campus employees)
• Successful candidate must pass a comprehensive post-offer, pre-employment criminal and CYFD fingerprinting background check.
• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.
• If located at the UNM Children's Campus, successful candidate must pass a comprehensive post-offer, pre-employment criminal and New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) fingerprint background check, and a continued successful status will be verified by periodic future background checks.
• All regular, non-temporary positions assigned to this classification are represented by a labor union and subject to the terms and conditions of the US-UNM Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• Considerable physical activity. Requires heavy physical work; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling required of objects up to 50 pounds. Physical work is a primary part (more than 70%) of job.
• No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
• Work may involve moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.

The University of New Mexico provides all training required by OSHA to ensure employee safety.

Revised Date: 04/28/2021