****OVERVIEW

Portland Rescue Mission is seeking an Children's Center Teacher. This gifted servant will have a warm and friendly disposition, a natural talent for connecting with kids and an energetic spirit that supports trust, growth, and learning for all.

Are you ready to transform and be transformed as you serve, support and care for children to break the cycle of homelessness and addiction one family at a time? If so, we invite you to thoughtfully consider this unique opportunity.

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

• How to apply: We ask all applicants to apply through the Portland Rescue Mission online application form found on our careers page: https://portlandrescuemission.hiringthing.com/job/231017/children-s-center-teacher
• Status: Full-Time, Hourly
• Hours: Monday-Friday 7:15am-4:15pm, Occasional nights and weekends
• Pay Rate: $17.43-$18.60
• Location: Shepherd's Door (13207 NE Halsey St. Portland, OR) * Virtual Tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zcPsXVJCUQ&list=PLicWQMXdDMjJ5IOBIlRaheaGVwQzLFAHr&index=6

THE PLACE

Shepherd’s Door, Portland Rescue Mission’s women and children's facility, is set in a retreat-like setting located in East Portland, designed specifically to support the transformation and growth of women, and women with children, impacted by homelessness and addiction. This 42,000 square foot facility has the capacity to serve 42 adults and 25 children. The Children’s Center cares for children (birth-age 10) of mothers in Portland Rescue Mission’s year-long New Life program.

THE POSITION

The Children's Center Teacher will join a team of staff that holistically cares for up to 25 children (birth-age 10) and their mothers through a variety of interactions all contributing towards a whole-family approach to healing and growth. The Children's Center Teacher will support the Children's Center by Christ-centered, school-like environment for the children while increasing social, language, and motor skills that may be delayed due to environmental factors. Utilizing trauma-informed classroom principles, this role will work with mothers, children, volunteers, and community resources to assist children in development of educational, emotional, and spiritual growth. Emphasis is placed on building self-esteem, strengthening social skills, and experiencing healthy relationships, with a goal of building connection and trust.

THE ESSENTIALS

• Participants with children living at Shepherd’s Door will know their children are well loved and cared for while they remain fully engaged in their program
• Children living at Shepherd’s Door will learn and grow by experiencing the world around them through a hands-on curriculum based on a trauma-informed, community environment within the classrooms
• Children’s basic needs will be consistently met, including diapering, feeding, playing, and engaging in classroom activities that develop trust and healing
• Portland Rescue Mission staff and volunteers will feel supported, needed, and honored in a classroom that is run on teamwork
• Through godly teaching and a loving environment, mothers and children living at Shepherd’s Door are given the encouragement and training needed to transition to healthy communities and transformed lives
• Support mothers living at Shepherd’s Door with their children as they walk through learning new life skills centered around parenting, how to work with schools and other outside agencies, and how to grow and heal as a family unit
• Create a healthy atmosphere by teaching a playful, joyful, and Christlike lifestyle for families living at Shepherd’s Door
• Working alongside the Lead Teacher, create, prepare, and implement age-appropriate lesson plans
• Supervise additional classroom staff, volunteers, and program participants serving in Children's Center vocation
• Collaborate with outside agencies that support children reaching their benchmarks
• Maintain a well-organized, clean, colorful, and joyful classroom and playground environment
• Clearly and appropriately share the Gospel with women and children through Bible lessons, worship, and answering questions

BACKGROUND AND QUALIFICATIONS

• College degree in related field or experience equivalent
• Knowledge of trauma-informed classroom principles
• A passionate relationship with Jesus Christ and a testimony of continued growth in faith
• A personal ethos and work ethic that reflects Portland Rescue Mission’s ministry culture – Highly Relational, Christ-Centered, Joyful Servant
• A calling to care for children and mothers who have been impacted by homelessness, addiction, and other significant challenges
• Thrives in a fast-paced, joy-filled team that exists to serve others
• Polite, friendly and courteous to all children, parents, and volunteers
• Proficient in classroom education, and childcare for birth–age 10, able to adjust care based on each child’s needs
• A good understanding of creating and implementing a lesson plan for children in their early years
• Basic knowledge of developmental benchmarks for children
• Able to relate to adult program participants in a compassionate manner while maintaining firm boundaries
• Agreement with Portland Rescue Mission’s Statement of Faith and Code of Ethics
• Ability to lift at least 50 lbs., sit on and rise up from the floor, and quickly physically engage with children unassisted

MISSION AND DISTINCTIVES

OUR MISSION

We exist to demonstrate the compassion of Christ

OUR UNIQUE APPROACH

From the first sandwich that was shared in 1949, to today's fully integrated emergency, recovery, and training services, Portland Rescue Mission is a highly relational ministry. The Mission builds supportive and caring communities, meets people at their point of need, equips them, and provides a path forward. In-depth partnership with churches and volunteers, multiple tiers of services and a focus on growing Christian disciples is fundamental to Portland Rescue Mission’s success.

OUR SUCCESS

New Life Ministries consistently sees an 80% success rate of men and women who graduate the one-year comprehensive, Restoration program