Child Care Associate 2490 (revised 05-30-24)

DUTIES

ANNUAL SALARY

$55,227 to $80,763

NOTES:

Annual salary is at the start of the pay range. The current salary range is subject to change. Please confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer.

A Child Care Associate assists a Child Care Center Director in supervising, organizing, and conducting a child care program in compliance with State and local regulations and is responsible for direct supervision of children at a City operated, State licensed preschool center; obtains data and analyses from participating families as required by state laws and regulations; acts as a facility director in their absence; performs supervisory duties and applies sound supervisory principles and techniques in building and maintaining an effective workforce; and fulfills equal employment opportunity responsibilities.

REQUIREMENT(S)/MINIMUM QUALIFICATION(S)

One year of full-time paid experience (2,080 hours) as a Recreation Assistant with the City of Los Angeles assigned to work in the care and supervision of children at a Department of Recreation and Parks facility and 12 semester or 18 quarter units in Early Childhood Education or Child Development from an accredited college or university, which cover the general areas of:

• Child Growth and Development or Human Growth and Development,
• Family and Community or Child and Family, and
• Child Care Program curriculum; or

Six months of full-time paid experience in the care and supervision of children in a licensed day care or comparable group child care program; and An Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development; or Completion of 60 semester or 90 quarter units at an accredited college or university, including 12 semester or 18 quarter units in early childhood education or child development, including courses which cover the general areas of:

• Child Growth and Development or Human Growth and Development,
• Family and Community or Child and Family, and
• Child Care Program curriculum

A valid Child Development Permit at the level of an Associate Teacher or higher issued by the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing may be substituted for the 12 semester or 18 quarter units of specialized education required.

PROCESS NOTES

Candidates who lack 6 semester or 9 quarter units of course work under Requirement #1 or Requirement #2b may also apply. However, they must meet the full requirement before being appointed.Some positions may require a valid California driver’s license. Candidates may not be eligible for appointment to these positions if their record within the last 36 months reflects three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents, or a conviction of a major moving violation (such as DUI).Candidates must pass a thorough and comprehensive background investigation conducted by the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Child Abuse Central Index, and Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing Division.Applicants must list their school name and location, type of degree earned, major, and applicable coursework in the Education Section of the City application. Applicants who fail to provide this information on their application will not be considered further in this examination and their applications will not be processed.Please note that qualifying education must be from a college or university accredited by a City of Los Angeles recognized agency. A list of approved accrediting agencies can be found at http://per.lacity.org/Accredited%20Institutions%2008-21-08.pdf Candidates completing the examination process will be contacted by the Personnel Department to provide required proof of qualifying education. Applicants who wish to expedite this process may attach a copy of their transcripts to their on-line application at the time of filing in the Attachments section.Applicants wishing to substitute 12 semester or 18 quarter units of coursework under Requirement #1 or Requirement #2b with a valid Child Development Permit at the level of an Associate Teacher or higher issued by the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing must attach a copy of the permit at the time of filing in the Attachments section.A Child Development Permit may be required prior to completion of the probationary period.Candidates appointed to a State-licensed Child Care Center will be required to possess an Associate Teacher or higher Children’s Center Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing within six (6) months of appointment.

WHERE TO APPLY & APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications will only be accepted on-line. When you are viewing the on-line job bulletin of your choice, simply scroll to the top of the page and select the “Apply” icon. On-line job bulletins are also available at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacity

NOTE:

Applicants are urged to apply early to ensure you have time to resolve any technical issues you may encounter.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications must be received by THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2024

Filing Period 2: FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2025 to THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025

The examination may close without prior notice at any time after a sufficient number of applications have been received. Filing periods may change without prior notice or additional dates may be added, as needed, at a later date. For administrative purposes, filing will close periodically and reopen on the dates noted in the “Application Deadline” section of this bulletin.

In accordance with Civil Service Rule 4.2, all applicants who apply may not be tested in this examination. To meet anticipated hiring needs, only a limited number of qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the selection process in the following order: 1) Applicants currently employed by the City of Los Angeles who meet the minimum requirements, or are on a reserve list; 2) Remaining applicants who meet the minimum requirements in sufficient numbers to meet hiring needs based on a random sampling of those qualified candidates. Applicants not selected to be tested may re-apply in a subsequent filing period in order to be considered for that period's selection process.

SELECTION PROCESS

Examination Weights: Essay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Advisory

Interview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100%

The examination will consist of an on-line advisory essay and an interview. In the interview, the following competencies may be evaluated: Attention to Detail; Safety Focus, including knowledge of first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) procedures; Supervision; Interpersonal Skills; Flexibility; Follow Written Directions; Written Communication; and Job Knowledge, including knowledge of: child development principles and practices, such as age-appropriate educational and recreational activities; fundamentals of basic early childhood education; the State of California licensing regulations for Child Care Centers (Title 22, Division 12); and principles and practices of supervising children; and other necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities.

Additional job analysis information can be obtained by going to http://per.lacity.org/index.cfm?content=jobanalyses and clicking on Competencies under Child Care Associate.

Prior to the interview, applicants will be required to prepare some written material related to the duties and responsibilities of a Child Care Associate. This essay material will not be separately scored, but will be presented to the interview board for review and consideration, which may include discussion, in the overall evaluation of the candidate. Those who do not complete the advisory essay will not be invited to the interview and will be considered to have failed the entire examination. To be considered complete, the advisory essay must include a substantive response for each question or problem included in the advisory essay for which an applicant is required to provide an answer. Please note that applicants must complete the advisory essay and meet the minimum qualifications as stated on this bulletin in order to be considered further in the examination process.

The advisory essay will be administered on-line. Applicants invited to participate in the examination will receive an e-mail from the City of Los Angeles outlining the specific steps on how to complete the on-line advisory essay. Additional instructions will be sent via e-mail. Applicants who fail to complete the advisory essay as instructed may be disqualified.

For candidates who apply by June 13, 2024, it is anticipated that the on-line advisory essay will be administered between JULY 29, 2024 and AUGUST 5, 2024.

For candidates who apply during Filing Period 2, it is anticipated that the on-line advisory essay will be administered between JULY 7, 2025 and JULY 14, 2025.

Candidates will be notified by e-mail of the date, time, and location of the interviews, which may be held in Los Angeles or on-line.

For candidates who apply by June 13, 2024, it is anticipated that interviews will begin during the period of AUGUST 26, 2024 to SEPTEMBER 6, 2024.

For candidates who apply during Filing Period 2, it is anticipated that interviews will begin during the period of AUGUST 4, 2025 to AUGUST 15, 2025.

NOTES:

This examination is based on a validation study.Candidates may take the test only once every 24 months during the administration of this examination. Based on City policy, you may be required to undergo mandatory drug and alcohol screening test prior to employment in this class. Applications are accepted subject to review to ensure that minimum qualifications are met. Candidates may be disqualified at any time if it is determined that they do not possess the minimum qualifications stated on this bulletin.As a covered entity under the Fair Employment and Housing Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. To request a disability accommodation, please complete the Disability Accommodation Form within 14 calendar days of the submittal of the City application. The Disability Accommodation Form can be obtained at http://per.lacity.org/exams/verify_disability.pdf A final average score of 70% is required to be placed on the eligible list.Your rank on the eligible list may change as the score of candidates from other administrations of this examination are merged onto one list.Your name may be removed from the open competitive eligible list after six months.In accordance with Civil Service Rule 4.24, review periods may be combined. Candidates in the examination process may file protests as provided in Section 4.20, 4.22, and 4.23 as applicable and within the required time frame; however, the Personnel Department may respond to and resolve problems prior to the establishment of the eligible listFor candidates seeking initial City employment, in accordance with Los Angeles City Ordinance 187134, information regarding COVID-19 vaccination requirements as conditions of employment may be found at: https://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2021/21-0921_ord_187134_8-24-21.pdf
Notice:

If you receive and accept an offer of employment to a regular position with the City of Los Angeles, your employee benefit coverage (including health and dental coverage, as well as life insurance) will commence approximately six weeks after your original appointment. Not all positions in the City receive benefit coverage; you should inquire regarding the availability of employee benefits prior to accepting a position. All City employees are required to be Disaster Service Workers.

THIS EXAMINATION IS TO BE GIVEN
ONLY ON AN OPEN COMPETITIVE BASIS

The City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, creed, color, ancestry, medical condition (cancer), or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

For additional information and FAQs regarding the City's hiring process, please go to: https://per.lacity.org/faqs/employment-testing-process.html

There are many things to consider in a new employer. Visit the following webpage to view benefits the City of Los Angeles offers its employees:

http://per.lacity.org/bens/index.html

Closing Date/Time:

• 

• City of Los Angeles

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