GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the direction and general supervision of the Center Director, has primary responsibility for providing quality early childhood education experiences through a center-based program for a diverse population of infants and toddlers. Provides support, guidance and leadership for assistants and volunteers. Participates as a member of a teaching team which implements a developmentally appropriate curriculum and assists in maintaining support services for special needs children. Maintains positive working relationships with supervisors, coworkers and families. Follows all Head Start Performance Standards, Agency and Program policies and procedures and other applicable Federal and State regulations to successfully accomplish Agency and Program goals and objectives. Adhere to Agency confidentiality policy with respect to information and records concerning children, families and staff. Maintain professional and ethical standards in accordance with Agency policy, code of conduct and legal requirements. This position is intended as a support position to multiple classrooms based on program need. Primarily supports infant and toddler classrooms but may support preschool classrooms as needed.
ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Direct Services-Classroom (100%)
- Acts in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards and Federal, State and Local regulations pertaining to the safe and healthy operation of a child care center.
- Ensures that the classroom/play yard environments meet health and safety standards established by the program and is in compliance with State and Federal regulations.
- Implements quality teacher/child interactions to foster their development.
- Facilitates and participates in implementation of curriculum and in development of activities.
- Individualizes activities based on child’s strengths and areas of growth.
- May be required to assist teachers or other staff in carrying out activities that may include: record keeping; phone calls and/or other communication with parents related to classroom responsibilities.
- Encourages parent participation and engagement in the classroom.
- Supports written observations and supports the maintenance of portfolios.
- Assists with identification of possible special needs and/or mental health support through screening process.
- Supports developmentally appropriate activities and designs classroom interest areas that promote language and literacy, physical, social/emotional and cognitive growth for children which enhances overall approaches to learning.
- Models successful early childhood teaching strategies and techniques and encourages positive interactions among staff, children, parents and with community members.
- Responsible for supporting staff and parents in documentation and collection of educational and classroom in-kind and submits to supervisor.
- Attends and participates in agency trainings, workshops, in-service and staff meetings.
- Participate in setting and achieving professional career development goals.
- Participate in mentor/coaching process including videotaping by supervisor of classroom instruction with employee consent.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding client and personnel issues, information, and records.
- Other duties as assigned within the scope of position classification.
SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:
- Compiles observations and work samples and update children’s portfolios.
- Ensures sanitation of classrooms materials and equipment.
- Files education related materials in files.
- Maintains and updates parent bulletin boards.
- Other duties as assigned within the scope of position classification.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- Spanish fluency required, other languages as needed.
- Minimum of one-year classroom experience (minimum 3 hours/day for 50 days within a 6-month period qualifies as one-year experience).
- Positions assigned to work with infants and/or toddlers are required to complete a minimum of three additional units of Early Childhood Education course work with a C grade or better relating to Infant and Toddler development.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Ability to read and comprehend documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.
- Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints.
- Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
- Ability to speak effectively before groups of parents or employees of organization.
- Ability to problem-solve and be proactive.
- Knowledge of sound medical, dental and nutritional practices for young children.
- Ability to add, subtracts, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compare rate, ratio and percent.
- Ability to understand and use a variety of computer applications and appropriate software, including spreadsheets, word processing; and workplace electronic technology, including internet access and email.
- Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
- Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized or non-standardized situations.
- Possession of a valid drivers' license; current personal vehicle insurance or safe driving record sufficient to ensure insurability through Agency policy.
- Possession of or ability to obtain Pediatric First Aid/CPR Certification within first sixty 60 days of work; must maintain current status.
- State regulations require a physical examination, current tuberculosis test, and verified fingerprint and criminal record clearance before beginning work.
- Knowledge of and sensitivity to diversity and understanding the needs of families from different cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Awareness of community resources and services.
- Effective organizational and time management skills including ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work and communicate effectively and professionally with coworkers, parents, children and members of the community.
- Ability to travel occasionally within and outside the Head Start service area.
- Ability to work some evenings and weekends for parent trainings, parent center committee meetings.
- Ability to learn and comply with Head Start Performance Standards, Federal, State and local laws concerning the operation of child care centers.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- Must have a minimum of 12 core units in Early Childhood Education/plus additional 3 Infant Toddler units.