Lead Teacher - Early Childhood Programs

LEAD TEACHER— Early Childhood Programs

Nonexempt, AFSCME represented position   

Benefitted position, 35-37 hours/week (part-time)

July 2024 position will transition to 40 hours/week (full-time) as we expand our preschool programs. 

CLOSING DATES:

Internal applicants are invited to apply by 5 PM on 4/2/2024 

All applicants should apply by 5 PM on 4/12/2024 

Check out this brochure for more information about Willamalane and the Lead Teacher position. 

JOB DESCRIPTION:

General Statement Of Duties: Plans, organizes, implements and oversees all developmentally appropriate curriculum and enrichment activities in a classroom setting for children from preschool through kindergarten age; Provides a positive learning environment that supports children's social, emotional, physical, language, and cognitive development; Develops and recommends program activities and projects; Ensures safety of children who are participating in the program; Works closely with Early Childhood Supervisor and community partners implementing Individualized Family Service Plans; Does related work as required.

Distinguishing Features Of The Class: An employee in this classification is responsible for ensuring the safety of children in the program while supervising and assisting children in developmentally appropriate activities such as games, songs, learning activities, arts and crafts projects, gym time, nap time, snack and/or lunch; and for developing and recommending activities and projects. Evaluating participant needs and making programmatic adjustments and improvements based on observation and data. Work is performed under the supervision of the Early Childhood Supervisor. Supervision is not normally a responsibility of positions in this classification, but direction to Assistant Teachers may be required.

Examples Of Essential Duties Performed: (Illustrative only. Any single position of a class will not necessarily involve all of the duties listed, and many positions will involve duties that are not listed.)

• Monitor participant safety with various measures including attendance taking and frequent head counts. Ensure the safety of all participants and program staff at the site.
• Lead, direct, plan and supervise children in age appropriate curriculum and enrichment activities that provide a balance such as: centers and circle time, art projects, outdoor and gym time, field trips, songs and games, nap time, snack and/or lunch.
• Prepare and serve snacks; perform necessary clean up according to Food Service standards and practices.
• Provide redirection to children using Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports strategies, as well as social emotional-age appropriate language.
• Prepare room; set up supplies and/or equipment for activities; perform necessary clean up.
• Report all cases of suspected child abuse to supervisor and contact Services to Children & Families as necessary.
• Respond to incidents utilizing First Aid, CPR/AED as needed.
• Maintain necessary records and files on programs, classes, and activities. Including Individualized Family Service Plans and goal monitoring and attendance.
• Acts as a lead team worker in planning and leading activities and in behavior management; acts as lead worker to program staff in assigning work and providing work assistance as required.
• Orders necessary supplies and food.
• Maintains appropriate records and prepares reports related to Early Childhood Programs and activities.
• Prepares parent program communications to distribute in both print and digitally; maintains informational bulletin boards.
• Leads staff in utilizing developmentally appropriate practices for preschool-kindergarten age children.
• Reports all cases of suspected child abuse to supervisor and contact Services to Children & Families as necessary.
• Responds to a variety of questions, concerns, and/or complaints from parents; keeps parents informed regarding child's progress and achievements.
• Performs other job-related duties or tasks as required.

DESIREABLE QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Two years’ experience with mentoring and engaging with preschool-Kindergarten age children in a childcare setting or appropriate education.
• Experience in organizing and facilitating a daily schedule in a childcare setting.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and ability to contribute as a team member in a fast-paced, diverse work environment.
• Comprehension of Oregon State child care rules and regulations.

Knowledge & Skills: Complete understanding and knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for preschool-kindergarten age children. Knowledge of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports strategies; Planning and implementing recreational, social emotional, and educational activities for preschool age children. Knowledge of curriculum development for preschool age children; customer service; child care record keeping. The administration of basic first aid and CPR.

Abilities: Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; work successfully with children, parents, and staff; work as a member of a team; act calmly and effectively in emergency situations; deal effectively with redirection of child behavior by using positive intervention strategies; understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Minimum Experience & Training: Associate's degree or certificate in Early Childhood, child development, or a related field, and one year of progressively responsible experience working with children in a comparable preschool or early child development center; or any satisfactory combination of experience and training which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the above-described duties..

Preferred Experience & Training: Associate's degree or certificate in Early Childhood, secondary language course work, child development, or a related field, and three years of progressively responsible experience working with children in a comparable preschool or early child development center; or any satisfactory combination of experience and training which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the above-described duties.

Physical Requirements Of The Position: The employee will frequently be required to stand and be mobile for over 70% of the work period.  While performing the duties of this position the employee will frequently be required to crouch or kneel and seldom be required to bend and twist.  Physical exertion and coordination is occasionally required to lift materials up to 30 pounds such as activity materials, snack foods, furniture etc. The position requires manual dexterity and coordination, for the vast majority of the work period. In performing the essential duties of this position, the employee will spend over 50% of the work period indoors and the remainder outdoors, thus exposure to heat in summer is possible. Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation.  Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to the disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation.

Personal Protective Equipment: Ability to use protective equipment required to perform job tasks as needed and as required by health and safety guidelines.

Necessary Special Requirements: Possession of or ability to obtain the following within first 30 days of employment

• First aid and CPR certification
• Oregon Food Handler Permit
• Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect certification (RRCAN)
• Introduction to Childcare Health and Safety certification (ICCHS)
• Foundations for Learning Certification (FFL)
• Enrollment in the Oregon Central Background Registry (CBR), within 7 days of hire date.
• This job is considered safety sensitive, a drug screen test and ability to pass a criminal background check will be required prior to employment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Receive a $1,000 hiring bonus! Applicants are eligible after 6 months of employment and must complete the following:
  • Sign an offer letter of employment
  • Pass all background checks and drug screens 
  • Attend orientation and all trainings for this position
  • Successfully complete 6-month probation
• Receive an additional $500 retention bonus after completing 1,000 hours worked. 
• Incentives are provided through an American Rescue Plan grant and will be available until funds are exhausted. 

Hours/Shifts

Monday - Friday, various shifts available between the hours of 7 AM - 6 PM. 

Drug Free Workplace

This job is considered safety sensitive, a drug screen test and ability to pass a criminal background check will be required prior to employment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

BENEFITS: 

• Paid vacation leave upon completion of probationary period, which is the 1st of the month following at least 6 months from hire date. Vacation leave benefits will accrue based on years of service.
• Paid sick leave beginning with date of hire. 
• Paid holidays (11 District-recognized holidays plus one floating holiday per calendar year).
• Medical and dental, life, and long-term disability insurance, 1st of the month following date of hire.
• Annual cost of living increase (up to 4% as approved by the Board). 
• Merit increase (3%) upon successful completion of probationary period and then annually. 
• Additional $1/hour increase upon successful completion of a Spanish competency test. 
• Retirement benefits after completing probationary period.
• Voluntary deferred compensation and flexible spending programs.
• Discount on selected childcare programs (see Policy Manual for restrictions).
• 25-percent discount on certain recreation programs.
• Free use of pools for lap and play swim for employee and family. 
• Free use of fitness center for employee and family.
• Free Wellness programs for employee.
• Automatic payroll deduction for union membership dues.
• Payroll direct deposit is available.