Early Head Start Teacher

Position Summary

This position is a full time (12 months/year) position and is based at the Metropolis Head Start in Metropolis, Illinois. It does come with a benefit package (including vacation, personal, and sick time accrual, holidays, health and life insurance, and an employer sponsored cafeteria plan). This position is responsible for providing a comprehensive and developmentally appropriate early childhood program for infants and toddlers and developing a partnership with the children's parents or caregivers to engage and encourage parent participation in the program.

Essential Functions

1. Develops weekly plans, and implements age appropriate curriculum to nurture and stimulate all domains of children's development in their care.
2. Provides routines such as naps, diapering, and feeding after discussing parent or caregiver's wishes and home routines to ensure consistency of care.
3. Administers developmental screening tool within 45 days of child's enrollment. Completes an Assistance or Guidance request if needed. Participates in IEP/IFSP meetings as appropriate.
4. Maintains an online portfolio on each child's progress and development for the purpose of planning to promote each child's growth and development.
5. Observes each child daily to assess skills, interests, and needs and uses this information to facilitate learning and growth.
6. Works cooperatively with the Co-Teacher and other staff and volunteers, using team approach to classroom management. Provides direction to Program Assistants when appropriate.
7. Assures that all children are supervised at all times.
8. Provides a developmentally appropriate classroom environment that reflects the children's learning and growth and creates opportunities to meet the changing needs of the developing child and also uses the playground as an extension of the classroom.
9. Participates in family style meals and snacks at table with children, and completes daily meal and attendance records. Holds all infants during feeding that are bottle fed.
10. Completes and submits daily, weekly, and monthly required paperwork as required by procedures manual to the Site Supervisor.
11. Responsible for developing a partnership with parents and caregivers in the Head Start program and encourages each parent/caregiver to take in active role in their child's Head Start experience. Maintains ongoing and open communication with parents and caregivers.
12. Plans two family staff conferences and two home visits to discuss children's developmental progress, needs and interests.
13. Assists families with children's transitions from Early Head Start to Head Start.
14. Maintains up to date emergency contact information, and individual child assessment information on each child.
15. Participates in staff meetings, center activities, and staff development.
16. Maintains child, family, and employee confidentiality.
17. Participates in the federal and annual program review.
18. Responsible for recruitment of Early Head Start eligible children, in coordination with other Head Start staff, for enrollment into the program.
19. Responsible for carrying out best practices for safety procedures concerning children, staff, families, and community individuals and for assessing current practices and finding ways and areas needing improvement.
20. Responsible for participating in activities and attitudes that promote positive public relations and positive image for the program and agency.
21. Complies and is familiar with the requirements of the policies and procedures adopted by Southern Seven Health Department as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
22. Reports potential problems and concerns to Site Supervisor.

Training Component

• Participates in continuing education and staff development through seminars, conferences, or workshops at personal or departmental expense as deemed appropriate by the Supervisor.

Qualifications

1. Education, Training, and Experience
   1. Must be at least nineteen years of age, AND
   2. Prefers Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood or in an approved related field with 18 hours of Early Childhood OR
   3. Associates Degree in Early Childhood or in an approved related degree with 18 hours of Early Childhood OR
   4. Infant Toddler CDA
2. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
   1. Effective oral and written communication skills
   2. Organization and supervisory ability
   3. Basic Computer Skills
3. Certifications and other Requirements
   1. Requirements: DCFS background/criminal check, DCFS Physical, Mandated Reporter, valid driver's license & auto liability insurance, DCFS Licensing required courses, CPR/First Aide, and Teaching Strategies Gold Interrater Reliability
   2. Recommendations: Hepatitis B Vaccine and DCFS Director Qualified
4. Physical Requirements
   1. Strength: Lift/carry up to 40 pounds on occasion and 20 pounds frequently.
   2. Movement:
      1. Routine: Sit, walk, or stand for prolonged periods of time.
      2. Lift horizontally and vertically, bend and stoop, push/pull, twist, carry, crouch, squat, kneel, crawl, climb, reach above shoulder level.
      3. Hear and understand speech at normal room levels and on the telephone.
      4. Occasion: Use near visual acuity to review both written documents and text on computer monitor.
      5. Drive an automobile.
      6. Operate a telephone, keyboard and mouse.
5. Bloodborne Pathogen: Occasional Occupational Exposure.

Location

Base location will be Metropolis Head Start located in Metropolis, Illinois.

Salary Range

Starting off between $17.66 to $22.49 an hour

Southern Seven Health Department is an "Equal Opportunity Employer/Vet/Disabled"