JOB GOAL:  To service St Catherine of Siena Catholic Church (the "Church") by providing its clergy, staff and parishioners (the "Church Community") with a safe,  and welcoming Preschool environment (the “Preschool”) where each child can share in our faith community in an age appropriate setting. In addition to being concerned with each child’s physical, emotional, spiritual, and social self, the caregiver will establish a relationship with the child’s parents that will lead to a mutual sharing of support and concern for each child. 

Ministerial Character

The Pastor is the visible principle and foundation of unity in the parish of  St Catherine of Siena Catholic Church which the Bishop has entrusted to him.  He makes Christ’s mission present and enduring in the parish.  In order to fulfill his mission, the Pastor employs suitable, chosen collaborators (clerics, religious, or lay people).  He shares with them his mission and entrusts various responsibilities to them.

Positions employed at  St Catherine of Siena Catholic Church help to extend the ministry of the Pastor in particular ways as outlined in the job description.  Therefore, the employee in this position is closely connected to and assists the Pastor in the performance of his ministry and thereby engages in ministry for the Church.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS:  To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to execute each requirement satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and /or ability required for this position:

1. Ability to educate all children in an age appropriate manner;
2. Ability to work harmoniously with others and to communicate effectively (both orally  and  in writing) with the Church Community; 
3. Ability to dress in a neat, well groomed manner that will allow for the freedom to interact with each participant child and the remainder of the Church Community.
4. 4. Ability to keep all personal knowledge of the Church Community in the strictest confidence;
5. Ability to attend all staff meetings and training sessions, give and take direction,  be flexible and willing to develop new skills and to work cooperatively and courteously with co-workers and volunteers, including taking initiative and providing assistance to all in need without being asked;

6. Ability to interact with parents in a professional manner, thus eliciting the trust that is necessary to keep lines of communication open and to work with parents to help each child feel secure at drop off including taking all appropriate actions to engage the child and minimize any separation anxiety; 

7. Ability to intentionally greet each child, acknowledging to the parent an awareness of the child’s arrival;

8. Ability to supervise a group of children while attending to the immediate needs of one child;

1. Ability to:

a. Be accountable to the number of children in attendance in the Preschool at all times;

b. Enforce room limits, even when parents show distress;

c. Never leave any room unattended when children are in attendance;

d. Know the location of all first aid tools and supplies and know and administer standard first aid procedures;

e. Supervise children carefully from a strategic location so all children are seen at all times;

f. Attend to crying and needy children, while focusing attention on all children in attendance;

g. Follow all established sanitation procedures for children, toys, furnishing and equipment;

h. Follow establish procedures for reporting all accidents, injuries and needed supplies, repairs and maintenance of facilities, furnishings, equipment and toys; and

i. Release each child only to the guardian designated in writing at the time the child is placed in the care of the Preschool

9. Ability to delay socializing or clustering with co-workers and volunteers and to limit break time to no more than fifteen minutes after any Mass and until after each child in attendance in the Preschool has been released to their designated guardian

10. Ability to abide by the moral and ethical norms of the Roman Catholic Church and to share in the same general covenant      relationship to minister to the people of God and to model to the larger community the teachings of the Church; and

11. Such alternatives to the above requirements as the Preschool Director may deem reasonably appropriate and acceptable.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

1. A relevant associate degree in early childhood education or other equivalent education and/or experience;

2. A minimum of 2 years of early childhood education experience;

3. Completion of the Diocesan Application for Ministry and receipt of a satisfactory background check;

4. Must maintain compliance with the Diocese of Austin Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM) policies throughout the employment period.

5. Possession of a valid Texas Driver’s License.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: The following physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and requirements of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform such essential duties and requirements.

1. Ability to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle and feel objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear and to climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; 

2. Ability to see close and far, color, depth, peripheral and to adjust focus;

3. Ability to work in an environment of slight discomfort due to activity noise and diaper odors and to push, lift and carry weights up to 35 pounds; and

4. Ability to handle a varied work environment and an abundance of personalities and situations.