Lead Teacher - Early Head Start Program

JOB TITLE: Lead Teacher

DEPARTMENT: Early Childhood Education

PROGRAM: Early Head Start

STATUS: Full Time - Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO: Child Development Coordinator

HOURS PER WEEK: 40

TERM: 12 Months

The Organization:

Human Services Association (HSA) is a private nonprofit agency whose principal mission is to provide families with compassionate and comprehensive care to promote wellness and build strong communities. HSA was founded in Bell Gardens in 1940 and today, HSA serves over 20,000 clients annually on a non-sectarian basis with a range of services that addresses the unique and shared needs of clients of all ages.

Program Overview:

Our Early Childhood Education Department provides services to 800 children over three distinct programs (Early Head Start, Head Start and State Preschool) at ten school sites. The California State Preschool Program provides a pre-school experience for children ages 3 to 5 in the cities of South Gate and Huntington Park. The Early Head Start Program is a federally funded program that provides a home based and center based program for pregnant women and children ages 0-3 that reside in zip codes of 90201 and 90280. The Head Start Program offers a comprehensive child development program for low-income preschoolers ages three to five years old that reside in zip code 90280.

Position Summary:

Under the general direction and supervision of the Child Development Coordinator, The Lead Teacher fulfills the role of the person responsible for the site as defined by Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations. Oversees the daily operation of the site where care is given to young children and services are provided to their families. This position is responsible for the daily activities of the center staff, the daily program for children, their families, and interacts with parents and volunteers including center meetings and facilitating interactions among staff.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Develops and maintains a plan to ensure the safety of the children when supervising the indoor and outdoor center facilities (Zoning).

· Ensures center is in compliance with Title 22, Head Start Performance Standards, Title V, all Licensing regulations and Agency Policies and Procedures

· Reports any site concerns to the ECE Manager immediately

· Meets with all staff at the site to ensure compliance in all funding source regulations. Documents meetings as appropriate.

· Facilitates site meetings, as needed.

· Ensure all proper documentation is posted

· Ensure all lesson plans, DRDP, observations, ASQ, paperwork, etc. is completed by due dates from all teaching staff

· Ensure center is safe for all children, parents and staff

· Reports and monitors maintenance problems to the Child Development Coordinator.

· Ensures the health and safety of all children at all times at the site assigned.

· Records and notifies parents and administrative office of illness and accidents of children and staff members immediately.

· Conducts daily health checks of each child.

· Conducts monthly fire and emergency drills and records results.

· Conducts and coordinates small and large group activities.

· Ensures that the daily activities of center staff are in support of best practices.

· Maintains appropriate adult-child ratios, substituting for teachers during breaks and lunch time and as necessary.

· Ensures that all children are signed in and signed out daily.

· Selects and orders appropriate classroom materials as needed and requested by Child Development Coordinator.

· Ensures the maintenance of a safe, nurturing, interactive and orderly environment for children.

· Designs and plans the daily program with teaching staff.

· Monitors classroom activities and actively participates in all children activities.

· Individualizes planning and lesson plans per child.

· Implements nutritional and healthy activities for children.

· Implements and plans activities using assigned curriculum that supports school readiness.

· Records and monitors children’s educational files including daily observations and assessments of children.

· Maintains compliant with documentation deadlines (child assessments, observations, parent conferences, etc.).

· Plans and coordinates home visits and parent conferences.

· Makes necessary adaptations in program to meet the individual needs of children including disabilities, cultural backgrounds and home languages.

· Assists children with physical, emotional needs and overall development.

· Attends Individual Education Plan (IEP) or IFSP meetings.

· Attends Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings, as scheduled.

· Maintains records for all children in the classroom assigned.

· Attends and prepares material for parent center meetings.

· Trains and coordinates parent and community volunteers, completes any required documentation necessary.

· Establishes and promotes daily positive interactions with parents, in order to increase the program’s ability to help parents meet their child rearing responsibilities.

· Involves parents in educational activities in the classroom and at home.

· Ensures there is communication between Teacher and parents.

· Records and totals the meal count, milk count and children’s attendance records.

· Facilitates center team meetings.

· Remains at center to supervise children for late pick-ups.

· Participates in staff conferences, including conflict resolution.

· Provides children observations, ASQ/ASQ/SE, DRDP-R, etc.

· Provided input into evaluation of support staff.

· Ensures the center classroom area is clean and the bathroom is clean for the children’s use by cleaning up, sweeping, wiping, throwing away trash and preparing classroom.

· Ensures that all appropriate documents are completed and submitted in a timely manner, including Incident Reports, Child Abuse Report, Case Notes, Meal Counts, etc.

· Report to work at scheduled times and maintain good attendance.

· Participate with a positive attitude and behavior in all program activities.

· Model the Standard of Conduct Policy when interacting with parents, community members and Colleagues

· In accordance with our "team" philosophy, the person filling this position may occasionally be required to carry out or assist with other tasks in addition to the duties listed on this job description

· Staff must believe in and act in accordance with both the Agency's and the program's mission/vision statements, adopted theoretical frameworks, and philosophy.

· Identify and report any suspected incidents of child abuse (following the Mandated Reporter Guidelines)

· Communicates with children, families and other staff in respectful and culturally sensitive manner

· Maintains confidentiality of children, families and employees of HSA

· Works as member of agency team by promoting the mission and philosophy of HSA

· Represents HSA at community and professional functions, as needed.

· Attend department, agency, and community meetings and trainings, as assigned. Continue professional growth by participating in classes, training programs, workshops and/or conferences, as the budget allows.

· Willing to work evenings, weekends and to travel locally and out of the service area for trainings.

· Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor and/or Department Director

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities:

· At least Two (2) years experience with children, ages 0-5, in a group care setting (350) days of three hours or within four years, must include at least 100 days of supervising adults in a child care and development program.

· Knowledge in Child growth and development and Developmentally Appropriate Practice.

· Ability to plan, organize and supervise a child development center.

· Principles of Supervision, Training and Performance Evaluation.

· Be knowledgeable in the implementation of education program policies and procedures.

· Ability to train and supervise classroom teachers, assistants and volunteers.

· Ability to work effectively with individuals of diverse educational, socio-economic, and cultural backgrounds, and those with disabilities and special needs.

· Ability to keep accurate records and in a timely manner.

· Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.

· Organized and able to successfully meet daily objectives; have the ability to lead team atmosphere; have mediation and negotiation skills; possess effective conflict resolution skills.

· Communicate effectively both orally and in writing using correct English (spelling, grammar, vocabulary and punctuation).

· Effective oral and written communication; Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred

Education And Experience:

· Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in related field with 24 units of ECE (including 6 units Infant/Toddler), + 3 units supervised field experience and possession of a Site Supervisor Permit or higher.

· Two years’ experience in an instructional capacity in a child development program with at least one year in a supervisory role preferred.

· Knowledge and experience working with Head Start Performance Standards, Title V, Title 22, CACFP Regulations and other State and Federal Regulations

Licensing/Certification Requirements:

· Possess or meet requirements for Teacher Permit or higher.

· Occasional driving is required.

· Must provide own vehicle, valid California driver license and proof of full insurance coverage.

· First Aid certification, Child CPR certification.

· Health screening:

o Physical

o Negative tuberculosis screen (TB)(required).

o TDAP or DTAP clearance (required)

o MMR Clearance (required)

· Must pass criminal background check including Live Scan (fingerprinting)

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job or that an employee encounters while performing the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Lead Teacher work location can be in any one of the following cities: South Gate, CA. As needed, the Lead Teacher will drive to different site locations and training sites (this includes HSA’s main office, Clarendon office, or location to be announced). The majority of the job duties are performed within a classroom setting which includes but is not limited to the following: classroom set-up (in-door & out-door), preparing lesson plans, required child documentation (i.e.; ASQs, DRDPs, etc.), preparing meals, if needed, ongoing child supervision (by sight & sound), and conducting parent conferences & home-visits (twice per year). These tasks require the following physical demands which include but are not limited to: constant walking, bending; occasional lifting (25 pounds), pushing, squatting and climbing stairs (as needed). The employee will complete required teaching documentation (as indicated in the job description) in the office, a location with moderate noise levels, peanut free, and that is a non-smoking facility.

PAY TRANSPARENCY:

Actual compensation offered may vary depending on skill level, experience, and/or education, and other factors permitted by law.

Human Services Association offers a competitive total rewards package for eligible employees, which may include medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k, holiday pay, life insurance. Please see the Benefits Overview for additional information.

Human Services Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $25.00 - $30.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• Are you willing to get a Live Scan (Background Clearance)?
• Do you possess a Site Supervisor Permit or higher?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• instructional capacity in a child development program: 2 years (Required)

Language:

• English & Spanish (Bilingual) (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• CA Driver's License (Required)
• First Aid Certification (Required)
• CPR Certification (Required)
• Do you possess or meet requirements for Teacher Permit? (Preferred)

Work Location: In person