Early Head Start Teacher I -III

About the role

CCSCT empowers vulnerable families and individuals in greater South Central Texas to achieve self-sufficiency by eliminating barriers through innovative programs and strong community partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Maintains a calm, safe classroom and playground that incorporates developmental appropriateness; creates an atmosphere in which the children feel comfortable and secure, reflecting the cultures of all enrolled children.
• Ensures the safety of children through constant supervision, effective arrangement of space, proper maintenance of equipment and regular practice of fire drills and other emergency procedures.
• Develops lesson plans that meet the needs of each child, planning for variations in ability levels and individual interests; incorporates developmentally appropriate practice according to the Head Start Performance Standards.
• Assists children in developing self-help skills including diapering, toilet training, hygiene, feeding, dressing and daily activities in a caring, nurturing and supportive learning environment.
• Operates the classroom in compliance with all childcare-licensing standards, paying particular attention to standards prohibiting any form of physical punishment.
• Ensures the arrangement of each classroom provides a stimulating, clean, and safe learning environment, incorporating NAEYC standards.
• Ensures proper documentation in children's files in all content areas.
• Completes Individual Education Plans for each enrolled child; continues the on-going assessment process, maintaining written or computer records on each child.
• Nurtures the development of infants through the provision of developmentally appropriate care and aids them in developing cognitive, physical, one-to-one or small group skills.
• Makes available a variety of opportunities to help children develop and understands appropriate relationships with others.
• Increases the complexity and challenge of activities as children develop.
• Contributes to the operation of the center by participating in staff meetings and sharing information gained through attendance at workshops and Head Start trainings.
• Observes, records, and reports any child's behavior, sharing information appropriately with other staff members.
• Shows personal development and growth by being relaxed, using a calm, quiet voice, being pleasant and enthusiastic about the children, and by using self-control in trying situations.
• Reports all suspected child abuse to the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400 or to an immediate supervisor.
• Completes required home visits and parent conferences in conjunction with the Family Services staff; conducts 2 home visits and 2 parent conferences per year per child.
• Assists the children at snack, breakfast, and lunchtime, ensuring that the Head Start philosophy of serving family style meals is maintained and assists the child in eating.
• Encourages the involvement of the families of the children in a Head Start program and supports the development of relationships between children and their families.
• Follows CCSCT Policies and Procedures and maintains confidentiality in all phases of agency operations.
• Familiarizes self with the agency's Strategic Plan and gains an overall understanding of how position contributes to the accomplishment of goals within that plan.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings and related activities; attends conferences, workshops, and trainings to increase professional knowledge; serves on committees as assigned.

Requirements

• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or comparable credential required and have been trained or have equivalent coursework in Early Child Development with a focus in infant/toddler development.
• Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in Child Development, Early Childhood Education or a related field preferred (related degrees require at least 9 college hours of Child Development or Early Childhood Education on transcript).
• Minimum of 2 years' experience working with children age birth to five in a licensed child-care facility.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English required.
• Must successfully complete a pre-employment criminal background check, initial health screening, TB test, drug test and motor vehicle records check; must be able to pass regular criminal background checks and submit to TB tests as required.
• Must be at least 21 years of age, have a valid Class 'C' Texas Driver's License with an acceptable driving record and have access to a reliable vehicle with current vehicle liability insurance; must be willing to travel within service area.
• Must maintain CPR and First Aid certifications.

Schedule

Must be able to work Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00 am–6:00 pm. Schedules may vary based on business needs.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and benefits package
• Welcoming & friendly environment
• Retirement plan with match
• Professional development opportunities

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of federally funded Child Care programs associated with serving low-income clients (i.e., Child Care Services, Head Start) preferred.
• Knowledge of Texas Minimum Standards for licensing, Head Start Act and Head Start Program Performance Standards preferred.
• Working knowledge of computers and basic to intermediate skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook); able to operate office machines such as fax, scanner, printer, copier, and telephone.
• Effective communication skills with an ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing, with persons from varied ethnic, socioeconomic, educational and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to analyze the effectiveness of classroom operation and choose the most effective course of action for the Head Start Program at any given point in time.
• Ability to provide guidance to classroom staff, maintain records and prepare reports.
• Ability to resolve problems, handle conflict and make effective decisions under pressure.
• Ability to read, comprehend and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to work well in a team environment, collaborating with others to accomplish business objectives.
• Ability to use sound judgment and make timely decisions based on careful, objective review and analysis of available considerations and factors.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, management, program participants, and others encountered in the course of work.
• Ability to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events and adapt to changes accordingly in the workplace.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to lift, carry, change diapers, feed and clean children.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, bend, walk, stoop, kneel, talk, hear, see, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office equipment and tools.
• Must be able to react quickly (assist a child or go to the scene of an accident).
• Must be able to lift and/or carry up to 40 lbs.

Working Conditions

• Work is generally performed in a child care or classroom setting in which there is moderate exposure to unpleasant and/or hazardous working conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
• Employee must be able to function in an environment with constant interruptions.