Position Purpose
To ensure our youngest children have a solid foundation for life. To assist the Head Teacher and cooperate in a supportive role carrying out developmentally appropriate activities. To encourage the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of Head Start children and to attend to their safety and welfare. Must meet requirements per Federal Head Start Performance Standards and any local, state and/or agency policies and procedures. To abide by the Head Start of Lane County code of conduct and Ethics Statement written within the employee handbook.
Essential Job Responsibilities: Performance Indicators
Classroom Time / School Readiness
- Supervise and monitor children at all times and respond appropriately to crisis or emergency situations that may occur.
- Establish a positive classroom climate.
- Guide the behavior of children in positive, effective ways.
- Follow a consistent schedule which includes small and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, skill development, meals and effective transitions between activities.
- Encourage experimentation, exploration, problem solving, cooperation, socialization and choice making; ask open-ended questions and follow-up questions to promote further learning and thinking.
- Provide an atmosphere that promotes and reinforces family and volunteer engagement.
- Support the role of families as the first and primary teachers of their children.
- Support families’ safety, health, financial stability, life goals and aspirations.
- Work with appropriate agencies to develop specialized planning for children and families as needed.
- Promote English language acquisition of children who are English and Dual-Language learners.
- Release children only to individuals with appropriate signed consent.
Bus Monitoring, as appropriate for the model
- Monitor and manage behavior of children on the bus.
- Secure children in age/weight appropriate restraints.
- Follow agency-adopted bus curriculum.
- Deliver written communication; maintain purposeful, respectful and positive communication with families and caregivers.
- Participate in safety drills; demonstrate and reteach safety procedures
Food Service, as needed for the model
- Provide food preparation, food storage and clean up using approved sanitation methods.
- Provide table setting, delivery of food to tables and dish washing
Head Teacher Support & Documentation
- Assist in setting up environment (indoor/outdoor) for the activities of the day.
- Observe and record behaviors of children to assist the Head Teacher in the identification of each child’s strengths and areas to grow.
- Assist Head Teacher in maintaining accurate written records, including: assessments, IFSP documentation, screening instruments, anecdotal observations and other required forms.
- Utilize and provide input into lesson plans which reflect mandated elements, parental and cultural influences, and promote the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of Head Start children.
- Ensure all federal, local, state and/or agency documentation is completed accurately.
- Participate in integrated service meetings for children, as appropriate.
- Participate in regularly scheduled team meetings to plan for and deliver collaborative services across all components
Professional Development
- Attend and participate in training and appropriate professional development activities.
- Attend and participate in meetings.
- Engage in ongoing self-assessment about job performance
Additional Job Responsibilities
- Assist with breaks as assigned and other classroom needs as requested.
- Work with other staff to ensure general maintenance and security of facility.
- Sanitize classroom equipment and laundry.
- Assist with inventory of equipment and supplies.
- Assume Substitute Director role as requested
- Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to apply Early Childhood Development theory in daily activities, and adapt to the individual needs of children.
- Significant decision and problem solving abilities.
- Ability to work as a team member collaborating with staff, parents and community resources.
- Ability to maintain respectful relations and communication with staff, families, children and community.
- Ability to supervise preschool children and ensure a safe environment.
- Ability respond to events going on at all times in classroom, outdoor play areas and on field trips, including school bus. This includes the physical ability to move quickly in order to respond to children who are very active and may need redirection or restraint in order to ensure their safety or the safety of others in the environment. (80-100%)
- Ability to interact with children at their eye level, ie. sitting, kneeling, stooping, bending. (80-100%)
- Lifting up to 50 lbs. (10%)
- For bus monitoring, climbing to enter and exit a bus, frequent sitting, and returning to a standing position at each bus stop. (20%)
Minimum Requirements
- At least one year of qualifying teaching experience in a Certified Child Care Center (3-5 age group) AND have completed or be currently enrolled in a program that will lead to an associates or bachelor’s degree OR
- One year State awarded Early Childhood Education Certificate or Child Development Associate certificate OR
- Completion of 20 credits (semester system) or 30 credits (quarter system) at a college/university in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Elementary education or Special Education.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills. Bilingual English/Spanish skills highly desirable.
- Intermediate computer skills, internet and e-mail.
- If driving for work related activities and/or mileage reimbursement must have valid Oregon Driver’s License and proof of insurance and use of own vehicle.
- Within 30 days of employment must be Pediatric CPR & First Aid certified and have a current Food Handler’s Card.
- Health Appraisal Questionnaire is required at hire and will be updated annually.
- At time of hire must be currently enrolled in Child Care Division-Central Background Registry and must renew every two years.
- Within 60 days of employment, must provide valid proof of enrollment into the Oregon Registry Step’s Program. Application forms will be issued at time of Hire.
Position Information
- 40-weeks
- Hours: 32/week
- Bargaining Unit/ Non Exempt
- Job responsibilities may vary depending upon program model, site needs and locations.
- Supervised by Regional Manager.
- Pay:
- $19.49-$23.71
- Please note wage placement for this position is determined based on the employee's seniority within the organization and varies based on applicant's highest level of completed education, in accordance with Head Start of Lane County's compensation policies.
- We strongly encourage all job applicants to apply for the Central Background Registry as soon as possible, even before the interview, to prevent any delays in the hiring process. For more information regarding the CBR visit Department of Early Learning and Care:Central Background Registry.
This job description was last updated on 02/28/05, edited March 2011, August 2013, May 2014; July 2015; April 2018; August 2021
Policy Council approved August 2015
This job description was last updated on 08/11/2021. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This job description is subject to change at any time.
Because this position requires in-person work and is student and/or visitor facing, complete vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (also known as COVID-19) is required.
Head Start of Lane County is an EEO Employer.
Head Start of Lane County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.