Specialized Youth Instructor (Early Childhood Assistant Teacher - Licensed Funtime Preschool).

POSITION TITLE: Specialized Youth Instructor (Early Childhood Assistant Teacher - Licensed Funtime Preschool). (Hourly)

REQUISITION #: req8429

DEPARTMENT: Recreation

LOCATION: NORTHSIDE AZTLAN CTR

BENEFIT CATEGORY: Variable Hourly Hourly Employee Benefit Highlights.pdf

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Part-Time Hourly

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

HOURLY RATE: $16.00 - 21.00 per hour (based on relevant experience)

SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 7/5/2026 . The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile.

Post-Offer Requirements

• Background check (Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position)
• Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) certification including fingerprinting/ background check

While the City of Fort Collins offers many remote and/or hybrid positions, all remote or hybrid work must be performed in the state of Colorado.

At the City, we are focused on finding the strongest candidate for the role, and we recognize that excellence can come from a wide variety of experiences and paths. When reviewing applications, we consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and lived experiences that align with the minimum qualifications. If you are interested in this opportunity, we encourage you to view your background broadly and highlight the skills and experiences that best prepare you for the role.

To learn more about The City of Fort Collins and Our Community, please read Our Community and Our Organization Brochure

Overview The City of Fort Collins Recreation Department creates exceptional programs to serve an exceptional community. Our programs are an opportunity for children to learn new skills, discover new passions, be active, and connect with their peers. Our Funtime Preschool is a state-licensed program that operates during the school year and runs from September – May for children ages 3-5. During the summer, Funtime Preschool transforms into Funtime Adventures for a summer camp experience for 4-5 year olds. Funtime Preschool Program focused on the development of readiness skills through child-directed discovery and teacher-led activities. Comprehensive curriculum content includes development of fine motor, cognitive, gross motor, social emotional and early literacy skills. The play-based, intentional approach encourages self-regulation, critical thinking and problem-solving. We are also will be in our third year of being a UPK provider.

We are searching for enthusiastic, dedicated professionals who are passionate about working with preschool-aged children. Ideal candidates genuinely enjoy the learning that takes place through play and is comfortable spending their days on a child’s level! Assistant Teachers will assist in program coordination and class management alongside Lead teachers in licensed classrooms.

Work Schedule Funtime Preschool generally follows the Poudre School District Calendar with classes running from September through mid-May. Summer Funtime Adventure Camps begin in early June and run through mid-August. Required, pre-service trainings must be completed prior to working with children.

Summer hours schedules may vary with up to 8-hour shifts between 7:30am – 5:30pm.

School-year schedules will be consistent with the exceptions for staff meetings or seasonal family engagement events that may take place outside of regularly scheduled shifts. School-year schedule options are as follows:

• 10:00am – 1:30pm, Monday – Friday (17.5 hours per week) – 2 positions available
• 1:00pm – 4:30pm, Monday – Friday (17.5 hours per week) – 2 positions available
• Additional hours may be possible to sub as needed.

Positions may work a maximum of 29 hours per week during the school year and up to 40 hours per week during the summer. Emphasis is placed on candidates who are available year-round, but optional school-year only (September – May) positions may be available.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive. -Active supervision of children including regular participation and attendance counts. -Greet children and parents in a friendly manner; conduct daily health screens and electronic check-in/out process. -Assist in the planning and instruction of daily developmentally appropriate activities including but not limited to science, math, reading, indoor/outdoor games, crafts, dramatic play, music, and cooking. -Prepare for and clean up following class/camp activities. -Treat all children with care and respect in all interactions, including behavior guidance and classroom management strategies. -Responsible for general maintenance of classroom/camp space and informing supervisors of missing and/or damaged equipment. -Assist in the planning of safe and fun walking field trips when available. -Responsible for class/camp supply and equipment inventory, and requesting materials based on available budgets as needed. -Attend regular staff and department meetings as needed. -Represent the City with a positive, professional, and healthy demeanor at all times.

Supervisory Responsibilities This position is not responsible for the direct supervision of any City employees

City Competencies

• Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
• A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
• A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Early Childhood Assistant Teachers Licensing Requirements

• Must have one of the following:
• Completion of one of the following Early Childhood Education courses with a course grade of “C” or better:
• Introduction to Early Childhood Professions;
• Introduction to Early Childhood Techniques;
• Guidance Strategies for Young Children or has been issued the Colorado Pyramid Model Training certificate of completion;
• ECE Health, Nutrition, and Safety;
• Administration of Early Childhood Care and Education programs;
• Administration: Human Relations for Early Childhood Professions or Introduction to Business;
• Curriculum Development: Methods and Techniques;
• ECE Child Growth and Development;
• The Exceptional Child; and
• Infant/Toddler Theory and Practice or have been issued the Expanding Quality Infant/Toddler Training certificate of completion; AND
• a minimum of nine months (1,365 hours) of verified experience in the care and supervision of four or more children less than eight years of age who are not related to the individual; OR -Completion of two (2) of the early childhood education courses referenced above with a course grade of “C” or better and no experience; OR -A current Early Childhood Professional Credential Level I or higher in Version 3.0.

General Requirements Course work and/or work experience in working with children with disabilities highly preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations All positions: -Must past City background check. -Must receive clearance from state and federal fingerprinting, and child abuse reporting background check. -Must possess a current CPR and First Aid Certification or attend a City provided CPR and First Aide course within one month of hire. -Must complete 15 hours of required pre-service trainings and courses before working with children.

Language Skills Must be able to communicate effectively with children, parents, co-workers, supervisors, and the general public. Must be able to effectively give developmentally appropriate, verbal guidance to children between the ages of 1-5 years.

Reasoning Ability Must possess the ability to solve and implement practical solutions to problems, to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form, and to foresee and initiate proactive measures to ensure program quality, customer service and participant safety.

Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to crawl, kneel, jump, run stoop, crouch, reach with hands and arms. The employee must have the ability to lift up to 40 lbs., lead children in extended periods of exercise and movement, must be able to control children in both an indoor and outdoor environment.

Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally be exposed to various weather conditions including rain, snow, wind, hail and heat. The employee may be exposed to allergy causing conditions (i.e. cottonwood, dust, animals, etc.). The employee may be exposed to a variety of childhood illnesses. The noise level in the work environment can be at high extremes at times.

The employee must be able to work effectively in an environment of noisy, happy, and sometimes distraught children. The employee must possess high tolerance for the characteristic behavior of children in indoor and outdoor recreation settings and work effectively in high stress situations. The employee should be flexible with the demands and interests of children. The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.

Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use : Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.

The City is committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. Employment decisions will comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. The City does not tolerate behavior that results in the terms and conditions of employment being adversely impacted based on an employee’s protected status, or any behavior that violates this policy.

Consistent with the City’s respect for the rights and dignity of each employee, the City is committed to providing a work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. The City prohibits discrimination or harassment based on protected characteristics, including race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, military, veteran status or uniformed service member status, genetic information, marital status or any other status protected under federal, state or local law.

The City is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment. In addition to the City’s commitment to equal opportunity employment, the City strictly prohibits discrimination or retaliation against an employee who raises any reasonable concern about workplace violations of government health or safety rules or a significant threat to the health or safety of City employees or the public, if the City controls the workplace conditions giving rise to the threat or violation.

Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.