Teacher, Head Start Temporary

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Position Title:
Teacher
Department:
Head Start
Open Date:
October 13, 2023
Reports to:
Program Area Supervisor
Close Date:
Open until Filled
Work Location:
Cooper Mountain
Hiring Rate:
$1,280.00 Weekly (BA or Registry step 10)
$1,040.00 Weekly (AA or Registry Step 9)
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Position Status:
Temporary
Benefit Status:
Not Eligible for Benefits
Work Hours Per Week:
40
Number of Positions:
1
Months Active:
January - April
Positions Supervised:
2
Special Note on Central Background Registry Requirement:
In order to be offered any position within our Head Start program, you must be currently enrolled in Oregon's Central Background Registry. If you are not currently enrolled, you may still be considered for this position, but no offer of employment may be extended to you until this requirement has been completed. For information on how to enroll in Oregon's Central Background Registry, please visit or call the Office of Child Care at 1.800.556.6616.
Benefits: As a temporary position, this position is not eligible for benefits
Position Summary:
In support of the Agency's mission, the Teacher is responsible for managing and monitoring a Head Start classroom and developing strong nurturing relationships with young children aged 3 to 5 years, including planning and implementing a developmentally appropriate learning environment that includes meaningful experiences that prepares children for success in school environments. In partnership with the parents, the Teacher also promotes family engagement in their child's learning, and is responsible for encouraging a high level of parent involvement and the delivery of family support services to advocate for greater self-sufficiency. This position provides the initial link between the Head Start program, the community, and families it serves. Lastly, the Teacher is also charged with the responsibility of direct supervision of assigned teaching staff. Responsibilities include knowledge of and compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, Agency/Head Start Policies and Procedures, Oregon Childcare Division regulations, and Spark/QRIS standards. The Teacher is responsible for understanding and implementing the appropriate policies and procedures and performance standards as prescribed by the Office of Head Start and the Community Action Head Start Program.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Strictly adhere to agency code of ethics and standards of workplace behavior.
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet business needs including regular and reliable attendance and adherence to all company workplace behavior standards.

Supervision and Monitoring:

• Ensure appropriate daily coverage through proper staffing patterns and coverage when staff are out or tending to administrative responsibilities. Schedule substitutes when needed and provide coverage to maintain federal and state guidelines for adult to child ratio.
• Monitor and maintain compliance with all Head Start and Agency policies and procedures, as well as established federal, state, and funding source guidelines and procedures.
• In collaboration with Program Area Supervisor and Professional Development Supervisor, provide orientation, training and assistance to new staff members.
• Complete all identified monitoring tools as directed. Provide follow up as needed.
• Monitor child attendance weekly and provide follow up as needed.
• Monitor staff certification and vacation accruals to ensure compliance with all applicable requirements and policies. Follow up as needed.
• In collaboration with Program Area Supervisor, monitor educational timelines (including home visit schedule, completion of developmental screenings and parent-teacher conferences). Follow up as needed.
• Participate in the Federal Review process, as required.
• Participate in the Head Start Annual Self-Assessment.

Educational Services:

• Develop a consistent classroom schedule, which includes small and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, and meals. Facilitate safe and effective transitions between activities.
• Using The Creative Curriculum and My Teaching Strategies, prepare and implement lesson plans and classroom materials to support a developmentally appropriate education program.
• Adapt curriculum to meet individual goals for children as identified in the My Teaching Strategies Family Conference form.
• Collect, analyze and record objective and complete observations on enrolled children.
• Complete developmental assessments for assigned group of children using My Teaching Strategies.
• Ensure the successful inclusion of children with special needs and work with Early Childhood Special Education staff to identify and provide appropriate services for them.
• Attend the IFSP staffing to assist in development and achievement of IFSP goals, when appropriate.
• Monitor classroom environments to ensure that they are conducive to learning, reflective of the different stages of child development, responsive to cultural backgrounds, and inviting to children and families.
• Become My Teaching Strategies reliable for all applicable ages.
• Use CLASS observations and feedback to inform teaching practices and enhance child/teacher interactions, as well as identify areas for professional development.
• Work closely with assigned staff to implement the Pyramid Model to promote the social and emotional development of children.
• Partner appropriately with Mental Health consultants. Support assigned staff in their work with Educational Specialists and Mental Health consultants.
• Develop and maintain consistent, positive relationships with children, treating them with dignity and respect.
• When with children, encourage developmentally appropriate exploration, problem-solving, cooperation, socialization and choice making.

Family Services and Partnership:

• Develop and maintain respectful relationships with families.
• Conduct home visits, parent-teacher conferences and other parent-focused activities to establish a positive link between home and school for families of assigned children. Support the parent as the primary educator of the child.
• Assist families in developing their individual goals including regular follow-up to identify progress, barriers to progress which hinder self-sufficiency and/or services received.
• Provide a welcoming atmosphere that promotes and reinforces parental involvement in the classroom.
• Support the assistant teacher with providing families with timely information and referrals appropriate to their needs.
• Address family concerns directly and in partnership with families; provide follow-up as needed.
• Plan and coordinate day to day activities of parent volunteers, providing on-the-job training as needed.
• Plan and facilitate family orientation to the program, family engagement in Parent Site/Center meetings, parental participation in Policy Council and weekly family update meetings.
• Complete late season enrollment process with new families.
• Assist families to complete follow-up on dental, medical, physical, and mental health needs.
• Provide families information regarding classes, trainings or other education opportunities as requested/required. Provide families with timely information and referrals appropriate to their needs.
• Produce monthly reports on the status of all referrals as requested by families.

Health and Safety:

• Implement active supervision strategies to ensure that no child will be left alone or unsupervised while in our care.
• Responsible for determination of child's initial health status and developmental needs.
• Ensure that initial screenings for assigned children are completed within 45 days of enrollment.
• Follow required medical protocol when necessary, including medication administration and providing first aid as needed.
• Support the Assistant Teacher in continuing follow-up on dental, medical, physical, and mental health needs of families.
• Submit and follow up on mental health referrals when appropriate.
• Conduct daily health checks with children.
• Strictly adhere to all safety policies and procedures at all times and respond/correct any at-risk safety issues immediately.
• Serve meals and snacks to children according to program Food Service procedures.
• Implement procedures for the operation of facilities according to program and Agency policies including, but not limited to: emergency response plans, maintenance of records, and storage of materials.

Recordkeeping and Reporting:

• Complete and enter 45 and 90 day requirements into ChildPlus database.
• Utilize ChildPlus to maintain accurate child and family records.
• Maintain child and family records in a manner that guarantees confidentiality and accurately reflects ongoing assessments, services and outcomes in the database system and/or paper files as required.
• Utilize databases such as Child Plus and My Teaching Strategies to run reports and analyze data as needed to ensure compliance with program requirements or to ensure continuous quality improvement.
• Document regular parent contact.
• Complete (when necessary), approve and submit timecards for assigned staff by deadline(s) established by payroll.
• Track meals and snacks to classes according to program Food Service procedures.
• Monitor and be responsible for own certification status and vacation time accrual.

Leadership, Teamwork and Professional Development of Staff:

• Engage in regular reflective supervision practices, training and support with staff. Guide staff in professional goal setting and follow up.
• Encourage professional development, identify performance concerns, evaluate work, and provide feedback using reflective supervision practice.
• Conduct Introductory and Annual Performance Evaluations for each assigned staff member.
• Serve as a role model to staff, peers and families in all areas of performance.
• Demonstrate knowledge of current trends and best practices in Early Childhood Education and Family Services, as well as Agency Policies and Procedures.
• Provide training and technical assistance to staff on a regular basis.
• Provide excellent customer service to clients, parents and community partners.
• Build an effective team by supporting and responding appropriately to concerns and facilitating constructive resolution to team issues.
• Attend and participate in all required meetings and trainings.
• Demonstrate professional habits in all interactions, internally and externally.
• Work in partnership with classroom staff to encourage collaborative team interaction that facilitates respectful relationships, embraces diversity, and encourages constructive problem solving.
• Develop and maintain regularly schedule planning and team meetings.
• Actively engage in communication and conflict resolution when challenges with other staff members occur.
• Collaborate with elementary school staff and administration as applicable per site location.
• Demonstrate professional habits in all interaction, internally and externally.
• Collaborate with Component Supervisors and Family Services Assistants to ensure children and families receive comprehensive services.

Marginal Functions and Responsibilities:

• Other marginal functions and responsibilities as assigned.

Required Education/Training/Experience:

• Education: Minimum of a Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education or a field related to Early Childhood Education (as indicated in the Oregon Center for Career Development's Step Registry), sufficient to be placed at Step 9 or higher on the Oregon Registry. Acceptable coursework would be a minimum of 30 quarter college credits or 20 semester college credits in at least 5 Core Knowledge Categories (as defined by Oregon Registry). Transcripts, diplomas and/or Oregon Registry Step Certificates are required to validate educational requirements. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Experience: Minimum of one year experience teaching in a Certified Child Care Center or comparable group care program in the care of children ages 3-5.
• Access to reliable transportation for home visits, valid driver's license and proof of vehicle insurance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with families.
• Intermediate computer literacy and familiarity with applications such as databases and spreadsheets, word processing, email and internet.
• Must be able to successfully pass applicable background and Oregon Central Background Registry checks prior to new hire processing and beginning actual employment.
• Completion of appropriate Fit for Duty and TB Testing according to Head Start regulations prior to date of hire.

Preferred:

• Prior experience directly supervising employees.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish, written and verbal.
• 2+ years experience teaching children ages 3 - 5 years of age.
• Prior Head Start program experience.
• Training and/or education in working with children with special needs.

Required Licensing or Other Special Certifications:

• Current Oregon Registry Step Certificate (or acquired within 90 days from date of hire).
• Current First Aid/CPR certification (or acquired within 30 days from date of hire).
• Current Oregon Food Handler Card (or acquired within 30 days from date of hire).

Required Physical Demands of...