Lead Children’s Specialist – Full Time, 3rd Shift
This position’s primary function is to assess the needs of all the children currently admitted for care in
our Safe Children’s Program.
Please note: this position works 3rd shift (11 PM – 7 AM).
Knowledge Required by the Job
 Be at least 21 years of age per our DCFS license
 2 years college credit and a background in child development
 1 year experience working with children preferably birth – six
 Demonstrate ability to deal effectively with children and families
 Ability to work in a team environment with childcare staff, administration, and volunteers.
 Ability to function in stressful, complex situations
Duties and Responsibilities
Organizational Relationships
 This position reports to the Assistant Director.
 This position provides direction to Children’s Specialists and volunteers.
Relationship with Children
 Ensures child’s safety
 Follows Crisis Nursery interaction philosophy with all children
 Establishes healthy bonds in order to promote child’s well-being
 Engages children in developmentally and age appropriate activities
 Ensures that each child has a specific adult with which to interact
Organizes and Prepares daily schedule under Lead Children’s Specialist direction:
 Meals & Snacks
o Communicates with Crisis Advocate necessary food order from Presence Covenant
Medical Center
o Sets up meals and snacks
o Supervises (with Lead Children’s Specialist) meal/snack activity, assigning volunteers
to specific children
o Clean-up of kitchen
o Labels bottles and sippy cups

Nap & Bedtime
o Prepares cots and cribs
o Organizes and assists with bath & other bedtime preparation including toileting and
brushing teeth.
o Comforts children into bed by reading, giving bottles and rubbing backs.
o Supervises quiet time (assigning, mentoring & assisting volunteers, when available)
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
Play Time
o Determines child’s interest areas and needs
o Engages children in developmentally and age appropriate activities
o Accesses needs to quiet play or active play
Record Keeping
 Documents child’s activities while in our care including: body chart, meals, snacks, naps, and
bathroom activities.
 Reads Staff Log
 Assists with documentation in Staff Log
 Writes testimonials
Interaction with Volunteers
 Provides guidance and models for volunteers
 Uses Triadic Strategies to strengthen the volunteer’s connection with the children
 Monitors and reports work performance to Safe Children and Volunteer Coordinator
 Welcomes and reviews expectations with new volunteers
 Monitors volunteer sign-in schedule and leaves appropriate notes and comments
Supplies
 Monitors and stocks supplies throughout the nursery
 Monitors and stocks clothing drawers
 Assists with sorting & stocking donations
Additional Responsibilities
 Attends weekly team meetings
 Attends monthly all-staff meetings
Supervision Received
 Relates and takes direction from the Assistant Director, coordinating weekly
 Communicates and coordinates volunteer needs and information with the Safe Children &
Volunteer Coordinator
Scope and Effect
 Good people skills are very important
 Projecting a positive image for Crisis Nursery is of utmost important
Personal Relationships
 Personal Contacts – Contacts with co-workers, child care staff, children served by the Nursery,
board and committee members, donors, visitors, third party fundraisers, and people in the
community.
 Purpose – To project a helpful and professional positive image for Crisis Nursery. Purpose of
contacts range from providing information, answering questions and offering services.
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Environmental Demands
 Physical Requirements – Active position with stress. Lifting of small children.
 Work Environment – Work is normally performed in a childcare setting. Fast-pace with
constant changing priorities.
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