After School Lead Educator

Summary:

This is a position of added responsibility where the Coordinator is responsible for
overseeing the operation of the Kinsmen After School Program, delegating and sharing tasks as much
as possible to ensure the land and our learners are cared for, and all staff feel valued and given the
opportunity to lead activities as they are able or ready to.

Responsibilities and Duties:
● Support Child Behaviour:
– Model best practises for managing child behaviour (classroom management);
– Where needed, assign supportive roles to specific staff for learners needing this;
– Work as a team to ensure a supportive, responsive and inclusive learning environment
for all learners;
-Manage behaviour proactively and as discreetly as possible, but as directly as needed;
– Support children in a caring manner and as they make friends, play, work to master new
skills and participate in forest school activities (High Five Principles).

● Site Management
– Ensure (includes delegating) the site is ready to go at the beginning of the program
– Inform the director if you note supplies that need to be replaced or ordered
– Oversee care of the rabbit, ensuring she has food and water
– Routine tidying up of camp area/shed at the end of each day

● Site safety:
– Continually monitor number of children on site using walkie talkies to count and confirm
all children are accounted for
– Ensure that risk is assessed dynamically as incidents arise;
– Ensure materials and equipment are cared for appropriately ;
– Ensure fire policies are followed;
– Ensure that tool safety policies are followed;
– Ensure a first aid kit, bear spray, air horn and water are brought on every hike (Spring/Fall);
– In consultation with other staff, ensure that weather is monitored and shelter is sought
when needed, and as long as needed;
– Ensure accident and incident forms are completed in a timely manner;
– Report any concerns around child abuse to the director as soon as an indicator is
noted. Do not prompt the child or ask leading questions, or if the abuse involves the
director, report to Children’s Aid and the Board Chair. Maintain confidentiality.

● Ecological Integrity:
– Ensure as far as possible the plants and animals on site are treated kindly and with
respect (water in water, land on land) and used with purpose

● Schedule and Programming:
– Read the group energy level to determine when more or less structure needs to be
provided by adults.
-Ensure programming includes- a daily/weekly read aloud and a weekly art activity
● Staff development:
– Support new/younger staff in trying out new skills- leading games, telling stories, taking
lead roles as they are able and wanting to.
– Support less experienced staff in using positive behaviour management techniques.

● Staff scheduling:
– Ensure adequate staff are scheduled for every After School shift (ratio of 1:6 maximum).
– If a colleague is unable to come to work on a given day, ask them to find a replacement.
If they are unable to find a replacement, let the director know.
– Let colleagues know as soon as possible if they will not be needed for a given shift (ie.
bus cancellation days, PD days for one school board but not the other).
– Ensure no staff member is ever left caring for the children alone.

● General Communications:
– Keep the director abreast of any supplies that need to be replenished, or any incidents
where children have had to go home (behaviour, illness, injury);
– Post up to 10 pictures to Facebook weekly highlighting learning and skill development
– Inform the director immediately if a child needs to be sent home or if there as a
significant injury

● Parental Communications:
– Check Procare app prior to shift to verify anyone who may be scheduled to be absent.
– Be warm and welcoming of parents, sharing children’s successes/struggles, with their
caregivers.

● Administration:
– Ensure that attendance is taken daily using Procare and that children are checked out
at the end of the day, noting if the person picking up is not their regular person.
– Ensure parents/caregivers of absent children are contacted if they are absent without
explanation (check with the Administrative Assistant first).

Qualifications and Skills:
● Hold a Forest and Nature School Practitioner’s Certificate or equivalent (preferred but not
essential);
● Qualified OCT or ECE with at least two years of classroom/forest school experience;
● Hold a minimum first aid qualification of Standard First Aid;
● Experience working in the out of doors with children;
● Completion of High Five Principles of Healthy Childhood Development required in most
instances.
● Ability to interact positively with children and their parents.

How to Apply: Email the following documents as one PDF document to Diana Clements at
director@psforestschool.com:

1. Updated cover letter detailing your fit for the position and interest in joining the Parry Sound
Forest School team.
2. Current resume including work experience, skills, education, and other points relevant to this
job description.
Only successful candidates will be contacted for an interview

ATTENTION JOB SEEKERS • The job description presented in this posting is solely that of the employer. The YMCA Employment Service is not responsible for the accuracy, reliability or currency of this information and does not accept any liability for the conduct and/or practices of employer.