Teacher Assistant

Summary

About Our Center: 

At the Greater Burlington YMCA, we offer a play-based, emergent curriculum driven by each child’s natural curiosity and interests. With locations in both Burlington and Winooski, our early childhood programs celebrate the unique identities of children and families, nurturing social-emotional growth through meaningful play and authentic connections. At the Y, we:

• Support Social/Emotional Growth
• Celebrate Diversity
• Foster Curiosity
• Strive to Inspire and Be Inspired

Duties

What You'll Do:

• Assist teachers in implementing engaging and developmentally appropriate activities.
• Support a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for infants and toddlers.
• Engage in indoor and outdoor play, ensuring children remain active and involved.
• Help with swim lessons, gym time, and field trips to enrich children’s learning experiences.
• Foster positive relationships with children, families, and fellow staff.
• Create a calm, restful atmosphere during rest time and provide support to children who do not nap.
• Assist in maintaining a neat, organized classroom and ensuring licensing requirements are met.
• Participate in ongoing professional development and training.

Requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications to be eligible for the starting rate of $18.00/hour. Additional compensation is determined based on experience and education aligned with the preferred qualifications. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Must be 18 years of age with a High School Diploma or GED
• Ability to pass a federal background check and state fingerprinting
• One year of experience working with children 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Completion of a VT Fundamentals Course or at least 3 college credits in child development
• Certificate of completion of a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA)
• Full-time experience working with children or youth in an educational, recreational, or programmatic setting, with milestones recognized at 2, 5, 10, and 15+ years.
• Completion of twelve college credits in child or human development or school age care and education. 
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in any field. 
• Formal training or certification experience in trauma-informed care, basic specialized care, or social work. Including completion of professional development or coursework in trauma-informed practices.
• 2+ years of direct full-time experience in special education or behavioral intervention.
• Coursework or certification in special education or behavioral intervention.
• Completion of DEI-specific training, coursework, or certification, with a minimum of 40 hours or the equivalent of a college course.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those necessary for the role and are essential to ensuring the safety and well-being of children in our care. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Ability to effectively supervise and ensure the safety of children by maintaining visual and auditory awareness in various environments, including classrooms, outdoor play areas, and other program spaces.
• Ability to lift, carry, or support children up to 35 pounds as needed for care, safety, and engagement.
• Ability to engage in active participation in all aspects of the program, including assisting with activities such as swimming and gym lessons. This may involve frequent movement, such as kneeling, bending, stooping, crouching, reaching, and standing for extended periods.
• Ability to respond quickly and appropriately to the physical and emotional needs of children, including in emergency situations.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits, including:

• Health, dental, and free vision insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Health Savings Account (HSA) option
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Participation in the YMCA Retirement Fund, a fully funded 6% employer contribution (once eligibility requirements are met), with additional voluntary savings options.