Position Data:

Grade: T7 – T14 Non-Exempt

Reports to: Center Director

Full-time 10 mo. position

Basic Function or Position Summary:

Responsible for the supervision, care and education of a classroom of children, planning and implementing developmentally appropriate lesson plans. 

Salary $24.43-$29.25/hourly   37.5 hour/week    Mon-Fri 7:30 am- 3:30 pm

Security Clearance: Lv. 2 V

Position Responsibilities and Specific Duties:

• Utilize nurturing and responsive practices and interactions that foster trust and emotional security; are communication and language rich; promote growth in the developmental progressions described in the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five 
• Include developmentally appropriate learning experiences in language, literacy, social and emotional development, math, science, social studies, creative arts, and physical development
• Provide a program of self-initiated, group-initiated and teacher-initiated activities which are intellectually stimulating and foster self-reliance and social responsibility.
• Implement well-organized learning environments with developmentally appropriate schedules, lesson plans, and indoor and outdoor learning experiences that provide adequate opportunities for choice, play, exploration, and experimentation
• Establish and implement a daily schedule of program activities that offers reasonable regularity in routines.
• Support the development of the home language for dual language learners.
• Promote learning through approaches to rest, meals, routines, and physical activity.
• Serve meals to children ensuring dietary restrictions and safety for allergies are followed; model eating new and diverse food options.
• Provide children with instruction in techniques and procedures that will enable them to protect themselves from abuse and maltreatment.
• Complete or obtain a current developmental screening within 45 calendar days of when the child first attends the program.
• Conduct standardized and structured assessments for each child that provide ongoing information to evaluate the child’s developmental level and progress.
• Integrate child assessment data in individual and group planning.
• Regularly communicate with parents to ensure they are well-informed about their child’s routines, activities, and behavior.
• Serve as an advocate for all children including those with special needs.
• Implement IEP’s, IFSP’s, and behavior plans with fidelity.
• Hold parent conferences, as needed, but no less than two times per program year, for each child.
• Conduct at least two home visits per program year for each family.
• Develop opportunities for parents and family members to volunteer in the class.
• Ensure the health and safety of children by ensuring competent supervision of all children in care. 
• Prepare necessary materials for activities in the classroom. 
• Guide the work of Teacher Assistants, other staff and volunteers in support of classroom activities and supervision. 
• Performs daily health checks on each individual child, following up when needed.
• Utilize CAPTAIN/Teacher Strategies Gold for tracking and maintaining all children records along with documentation of individual family contacts.
• Assist families in creating age-appropriate school readiness goals and provide information to achieve identified goals. 
• Provide a safe and healthy learning environment.
• Notifies supervisor following service area procedure regarding customer complaints. 
• Recommend purchase of materials/equipment. 
• Participates in service enrollment and recruitment  strategies 
• Support the planning and implementation of family events
• Promotes agency mission.
• Maintains confidentiality and complies with the code of ethics.
• Maintains consistent professional customer service.
• Job performance incorporates integrated service delivery model while promoting self-sufficiency.
• Other duties as designated by supervisor

Key Working Relationships:

A. Internal: Division staff members, Central Services staff members.

B. External: Service providers, Consultants, Volunteers and parents.

Supervisory Scope:

A. Number of staff supervised: 0

B. Titles supervised: None

Organizational Responsibilities:

• Adheres to all policies and procedures
• Gathers appropriate documentation and tracks outcomes
• Participates in organizational committee structures as appropriate
• Participates in organizational and divisional management systems

Knowledge, Skills Required:

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representatives of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Early Head Start: CDA credential and work towards obtaining an Associate’s degree, with an Early Childhood Certification.

• Head Start: Associate degree in Early Childhood or Child Development; or any advanced degree and 9 credit hours in Early Childhood and/or Child Development.

• Head Start: Bachelor’s Degree (B.S) in Early Childhood or Child Development

• UPK/Head Start Bachelor’s Degree (B.S) in Early Childhood or Child Development with a NYS Certification for Pre-K services.

• Adequate computer skills required.

• Ability to organize and maintain an appropriate learning environment.

• Ability to work on a team.

• Ability to relate well with families of diverse backgrounds.

• Good verbal and written communication skills.

Classroom Type: Birth – 3 years old

Minimum Degree/ Credential : Child Development Associate Credential

Minimum Experience : 2 years of child care

Or

Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood with 1 year of child care experience

Classroom Type:  3 – 5 years old

Minimum Degree/ Credential : Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood

Minimum Experience : 1 semester internship/student teaching

OR

Child Development Associate Credential and Associate’s Degree in any field with 1 semester internship/ student teaching

Classroom Type: NYS pre-K classroom

Minimum Degree/ Credential : Bachelor’s Degree and NYS Teacher Certification for Pre-K

Minimum Experience : 1 semester student teaching

• Computer skills.
• Ability to work on a team.
• Good verbal and written communication skills. 
• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.

Special Requirements:

• Meets OCFS training requirements and maintains training logs.
• Flexibility in work schedule.
• Must be able to provide consistent even tempered customer service at all times
• Completes all required NYS background clearances 
• Pre-employment physical exams and TB Testing 
• Valid Driver’s license 
• Works compassionately with a diverse population