Associate Teacher - Head Start & Early Head Start (Multiple Openings)

For more information about the MHCC Head Start Program visit the program website.

About the role

Assists with the planning and conducting of an educational program, and develops strong nurturing relationships with children and families while encouraging family engagement in their child’s learning. Provides children with a developmentally appropriate learning environment in preparation for school success. Meets performance standards, and follows the agency licensing policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.

We are hiring for multiple vacancies at our Head Start locations in East Portland, Gresham, and surrounding areas.

Responsibilities

• Assists with the planning and conducting of the educational program and weekly curriculum.
• Works directly with children individually and in small and large groups.
• Participates in the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) process for children with special needs, and assists with implementing IFSP goals.
• Supports daily observations; assists with taking notes, videos, and enters data as needed.
• Maintains accurate and timely written and electronic records and reports (e.g., meal counts, staff sign in, child attendance).
• Provides assistance with developmental screening and assessments for children.
• Develops partnerships with parents regarding their child/children.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings, planning meetings, classroom team debriefings, and training.
• Administers medications and diapers as needed.
• Assists teachers with conducting home visits and family conferences as appropriate.
• Assists in general upkeep of center facilities, equipment, and materials.
• Participates in regular training and technical assistance activities.
• Rides school bus as needed.
• Represents agency on various committees and projects as directed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Minimum one (1) year of experience working with children age birth to five years.
• Minimum six (6) months of experience working within an early childhood and/or elementary classroom.
• Experience working with diverse backgrounds; demonstrated commitment to promoting access and diversity.
• Must be enrolled in the Oregon Central Background Registry prior to beginning employment and maintain enrollment throughout employment.
• Post-offer fitness for duty evaluation, including TB screening and health appraisal, must be obtained within 30 days of hire date.
• Must complete required Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) licensing within 30 days of hire.
• Must possess or obtain current Infant/Child First Aid/CPR certification within 60 days of hire.
• Must possess or obtain Food Handlers Certificate within 30 days of hire.
• Must be able to work occasional evening hours as needed (e.g., parent meetings, home visits).

Qualifications

• A Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential (Infant/Toddler; Preschool) OR
• An Infant/Toddler Professional Credential through Oregon Center for Career Development OR
• Step 7 or higher in the Oregon Registry OR
• Enrolled in a program to complete a CDA or equivalent within two (2) years of hire.

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Leadership and staff training.
• Organizational skills.
• Ability to apply understanding of developmentally appropriate activities for children.
• Ability to meet and promote the social-emotional, physical, and cognitive development needs of children.
• Ability to provide and model best practices in early childhood education and facilitate team development.
• Problem-solving and multi-tasking.
• Ability to make sound judgments and demonstrate appropriate role modeling.
• Ability to maintain full attention and awareness of children at all times.
• Ability to work as a team member and be self-directed.
• Basic computer skills.

Schedule

Full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday. This is a partial-year role at 0.86153 FTE (program runs August – June).

Pay

• Associate Teacher I: $19.56–$20.63 per hour (Infant/Toddler CDA).
• Associate Teacher II: $20.55–$21.69 per hour (Associate's Degree).

Initial salary placement will be based on applicable education and/or years of relevant full-time equivalent experience at the sole discretion of the College, per the guidelines in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Benefits

• Vacation, sick, and personal leave.
• Medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance.
• Optional short-term disability insurance, optional life, and optional AD&D.
• Retirement through Oregon PERS, including generous employer contributions.
• Tuition waiver plan and access to professional training and development.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Working Conditions

• Ability to lift/carry up to 50 lbs a distance of 10 feet.
• Ability to push/pull up to 50 lbs a distance of 10 yards.
• Sufficient mobility and range of motion to perform repetitive standing, walking, balancing, stooping, bending, crouching, crawling, sitting on the floor, reaching, squatting, kneeling, and twisting for up to 8 hours per day.
• Sufficient stamina to perform job duties at frequency required.
• Ability to react quickly to the physical actions of children.
• Sufficient vision and hearing to perform job duties.
• Sufficient manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination to perform job duties.
• Exposure to unpredictable child and family behavior, hazardous chemicals, contagious conditions, office equipment, and motor vehicles.
• Working conditions include indoor/outdoor environments, preschool center classrooms, playgrounds, offices, frequent local and occasional out-of-town travel.