After School Site Guide

About the Role

Provide a safe, caring, and enriching environment for groups of children participating in an in-school or after-school program. Assist with supervision and engagement of students in youth development and activities.

About Big Thought

Big Thought equips youth in marginalized communities to imagine and create their best lives and world. The secret that makes our work uniquely effective is the powerful combination of our social and emotional focus, experiential learning, community-centered partnerships, inclusion/equity lens, and future focus.

Throughout our 30+ year history of innovation, Big Thought has become a national model in arts education, out of school time systems, summer learning and juvenile justice intervention. Now, we’re one of six community partnerships in the U.S. helping scale national best practices in Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). We take direct-to-youth programs and resources to communities with the greatest needs and share our evidence-based best practices with other nonprofits and organizations through a suite of consultation services including professional development, curriculum design, and technical assistance.

#Big Thought Way

Big Thought brings relentless optimism, innovation, and imagination to everything we do.  Our kids come first, and we use a collaborative, all hands-on deck approach to ensure that they are served well. 

About the Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be responsible for building a positive rapport with co-workers and have a sincere interest in working with and safely and successfully managing elementary children.

Qualifications

What the Role Entails:

• Responsible for assisting the Site Specialist or other program personnel with the supervision, safety, and always grouping of children, including arrival and departure procedures, and taking attendance.
• Keep a consistent headcount of all children present and immediately communicate any changes with all other staff.
• Assist the Site Specialist and/or Instructors with planning and activities.
• Periodically develop and initiate instruction of creative activities and games.
• Communicate effectively with children, parents, staff, and supervisors.
• Help prepare for and clean up after activities.
• Inspect and maintain facilities and equipment for safety purposes prior to each activity.
• Assist in the planning and facilitation of culminating events, performances, and other program-related events, including holiday celebrations.
• Demonstrate consistent positive interaction with all children, treating them with dignity and respect.
• Articulate clear expectations and hold children accountable for abiding by them.
• Help children develop positive self-esteem and a sense of self-worth.
• Model and utilize teachable moments to reinforce appropriate social skills.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma required. College coursework in recreation, child development, or a related field is preferred.
• Follow all rules, regulations, and policies of Big Thought, Dallas ISD, as well as directives from superiors.
• Follow the program attendance policy as assigned by the Site Specialist.
• Comply with Big Thought/Thriving Minds After School uniform and dress code.
• Perform other functions that may be assigned by the Site Specialist.
• Attend and participate in professional development opportunities, specifically regarding creative learning, offered by Big Thought.
• Demonstrate commitment to implementing Big Thought instructional strategies.

Additional Information:

• Flexibility to work a varying schedule. Part-time, 20-25 hours per week. Work may vary by season and will coincide with the hours of program operations.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.
• Ability to read/respond to emails and text messages in a timely manner.
• Basic first aid skills (training will be provided by Big Thought).

Physical Expectations (not an exhaustive list):

Big Thought jobs are hands on and can be physically demanding.  To perform the duties of these roles successfully, you may regularly be required to: sit, stand, or stare at computer screen for long periods of time; participate in external activities; use various office equipment, some manual; work in environment with loud sounds, multiple distractions, and interruptions; be exposed to extreme hot or cold temperatures on occasion; maintain emotional control during stressful situations.