PROGRAM SUMMARY: Easterseals Early Learning Center- Hickory Hills provides inclusive early childhood and education services for children between the ages of six weeks to five years of age. The Center is a part of Easterseals broader programming in Head Start/Early Head Start. Easterseals Head Start/Early Head Start provides high-quality, family-centered education for children birth to five years old. We collaborate with 40+ early childhood programs located in the city of Chicago and suburban Cook County to promote school readiness in young children of all abilities from families with incomes below poverty guidelines. In addition to the Hickory Hills location, Easterseals also directly operates the Gilchrist Marchman Child Development Center in Chicago.

POSITION LOCATION: This position is located at the Easterseals Early Learning Center- Hickory Hills at 8020 W. 87th St., Hickory Hills, IL 60457.

POSITION SUMMARY: The primary responsibilities of the Program Support and Facility Assistant are to support program needs, to serve food/monitor food-related activities, and to provide facilities and janitorial duties as assigned.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS/ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Complete daily inspections of the facility and playground to ensure a safe environment for children, families, and staff.
• Perform janitorial duties (removing garbage, cleaning up classrooms, removing debris from the playground as needed.
• Complete electrostatic sanitizing according to the cleaning schedule.
• Perform routine preventative maintenance on building interior and exterior.
• Ensure facility and safety concerns are corrected immediately.
• Arrange furniture and equipment for special events.
• Perform some basic facility work (e.g. painting or minor repairs).
• Install, repair, move, and discard furniture as needed.
• Work with the Site Supervisor to obtain quotes related to facility needs.
• Provide front desk coverage as needed.
• Pick up or deliver items to the site as needed.
• Deliver paper goods and supplies to classrooms as needed.
• Complete, track, and follow up on maintenance requests submitted to the landlord.
• Receive lunch and milk daily from the contract caterer and maintain proper documentation.
• Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold, according to city and state food sanitation standards.
• Put food into serving bowls for classrooms utilizing the required portion sizes, as well as deliver meals to the classrooms.
• Monitor menus and document food substitutions.
• Wash, rinse, and sanitize dishes after meals (at least twice daily), according to city and state food sanitation standards.
• Monitor and ensure children with food allergies or special dietary needs are always provided appropriate meals and work with the Food Manager to request and fulfill food substitutions.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

• High school diploma or higher.
• City and State Food Sanitation certificates.

Experience Required:

• Obtain 25 hours of professional development training annually.

Vehicle/Transportation Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license.
• Auto insurance.
• Reliable vehicle.

Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrate initiative and motivation.
• Exhibit solid time management skills.
• Pay close attention to detail.
• Ability to use efficiently various power and hand tools.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Communicate efficiently and fluently in both written and oral forms.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships.
• Knowledge of safety and overall general maintenance and repair methods.
• Basic computer skills

ADA: Easterseals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Unless exempted by the Americans with Disabilities Act, all persons hired for this position are required to possess the ability to perform the physical tasks necessary to treat clients, i.e., bending, floor-sitting, etc., as well as to have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently.

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