Cherokee Head Start Team Leader/Teacher

Department: Head Start/Early Head

Reports to: Center Supervisor

Primary Work Location: Cherokee

Eligible for Benefits: Yes

Work Hours: 8 hours Monday-Friday. 40 hours per week, September-May. Hours are subject to change based on financial and program requirements.

Requirements:

• Associates Degree in Early Childhood or Child Care Supervision & Management required.
• Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education with Early Childhood Endorsement and preschool teaching experience preferred.
• Able to stand, walk, sit, bend, stoop, push and pull regularly.
• Lift up to 15 pounds often; lift up to 30 pounds occasionally; lift over 30 pounds rarely.

Qualifications:

• Center-based work experience with preschool age children preferred.
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience in human services, social services, adult education and/or early childhood education preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Must be able to relate to low resource children, families and staff in a positive manner.
• Be knowledgeable and follow the Head Start/Early Head Start Service Plan, Procedures, Performance Standards and State of Iowa Licensing Regulations.
• Work cooperatively with center team to ensure that each Head Start/Early Head Start child and family receive the full benefits of the Early Head Start program.
• Coordinate the day-to-day center activities with the center team.
• Maintain staff to child ratio and ensure children’s safety at all times.
• Maintain a warm, nurturing environment that will encourage children to be problem solvers and decision makers.
• Effectively communicate with parents on an ongoing basis including face-face, newsletters, phone calls, etc. with documentation of all communication.
• Affirm the parent role as the primary educator of their child.
• Complete necessary paperwork in an accurate and timely manner.
• Responsible for contributing to a positive and productive work environment.
• Follow cleaning procedures to maintain a clean and sanitary classroom and office.
• Able to work flexible hours without direct supervision, including some evenings.
• Supervise assistant teachers, teachers’ aids, volunteers, cooks and bus drivers/monitors.
• Attend at minimum 15 hours of trainings and meetings.
• Responsible for meeting in-kind requirements for our program.
• Provide an educational environment following the High Scope, PBIS and 2^nd Step curricula to ensure school readiness.
• Collect anecdotal notes that are current, ongoing, factual and objective on children and enter into the Teaching Strategies online GOLD.
• Complete required home visitations and parent teacher conferences with families of children served.
• Use ongoing assessment information to improve curriculum implementation and individualize learning experiences.
• Responsible for contributing to a positive and productive work environment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Other Conditions of Employment:

• Submit to the Department of Human Services Criminal History and a Request for Child Abuse Information Records Check prior employment and every two (2) years thereafter.
• Submit to FBI National Fingerprint Criminal History Check prior to employment and every four (4) years thereafter.
• Submit to a Motor Vehicle Records check prior to hire and every year for those employees that drive at least weekly. All other staff every two years thereafter.
• Complete a Physical Exam prior to employment.
• Complete a Tuberculosis Screening or Assessment prior to employment.
• Complete mandatory reporter training within 90 days of hire and every 3 years thereafter.
• Adhere to HS/EHS Standards of Conduct.
• Sign and maintain required confidentiality statement.
• Must have insurance, reliable transportation, and a valid Class D driver’s license, or willing to obtain Class D driver’s license.
• Attend required in-services, trainings, orientations and meetings.
• Must be able to complete job duties as described with reasonable accommodations.