EHS Head Teacher

About the role

Neighborhood House is a non-profit agency providing social services for children, families, seniors, and people experiencing food and housing insecurity. We have been engaged in anti-poverty work for 120 years, offering a safety net to ensure our community has the support they need to thrive.

Position Summary

This position will lead the teaching team in fostering a positive classroom climate through the utilization of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) strategies to guide classroom management, while effectively implementing Creative Curriculum to support student’s learning and healthy development while applying data from research-based child assessment tools to individualize children’s learning experiences. This position oversees all aspects of the classroom management including assuring that all staff are adhering to the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care licensing requirements and Head Start Performance Standards with day-to-day supervision from Early Childhood Site Supervisor.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide guidance, mentorship, and support to classroom staff.
• Model best practices in early childhood education and encourage professional growth and development among team members.
• Conduct monthly collaborative team meetings to discuss classroom operations, environment, team goals, and outcomes.
• Establish and uphold a positive classroom climate utilizing the PBIS framework.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of children and staff while maintaining an environment conducive to learning.
• Supervise all students actively to ensure their mental, physical, and emotional safety.
• Take necessary precautions to safeguard students, staff, and facilities both indoors and outdoors.
• Maintain a consistent routine comprising various activities to promote holistic child development.
• Foster exploration, problem-solving, and positive socialization through thoughtful classroom arrangement.
• Engage actively in child-led play and meaningful conversations to support individual development.
• Absorb meal times and outdoor activities to reinforce positive social skills and healthy habits.
• Aid with daily tasks such as setup, cleanup, diaper changes, and potty training according to protocols.
• Ensure adherence to positive behavior management and safety procedures among all staff.

Education Services Development, Implementation, and Assessment

• Develop and execute developmentally appropriate lesson plans aligned with program goals.
• Incorporate individualized learning goals into lesson planning based on assessment outcomes.

• Required Skills, Abilities, Competencies and Qualifications

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and Outlook Mail.
  • Familiarity with research-based child assessment tools preferred.
  • Experience working directly with parents preferred.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work effectively with diverse communities and handle sensitive information.
  • Capacity to work independently and within a team, demonstrating problem-solving skills.
  • Physical ability to meet the demands of the role, including lifting up to 50 pounds.
  • Food handlers and First Aid and CPR certification, or ability to obtain within the first 30 days of hire.
  • Must be registered with the Criminal Background Registry (CBR).
  • Valid driver's license, vehicle transportation, and auto insurance strongly encouraged.

  Required Education and Experience

  • Knowledge of early childhood development and general principles of early childhood education and developmentally appropriate, child-led, multi-cultural, anti-bias curriculum for children under the age of 5, is required.
  • At a minimum of a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) Infant/Toddler is required and two years' experience working with children ages 0-3 or equivalent qualifications placing the candidate at a step 7 or higher on the Oregon Registry Online (ORO) and three years’ experience working with children 0-3.
  • Associate’s in Early Childhood Education (ECE) preferred or equivalent qualifications placing the candidate at a step 9 or higher on the Oregon Registry Online (ORO) and one year of experience working with children 0-3.

  Required Certificates, Licenses, Credentials and/or Registrations

  • Central Background Registry Number: Successful registration with the Oregon Central Background Registry is mandatory prior to commencing employment.
  • First Aid/CPR Certification: Possession of valid First Aid and CPR certification is mandatory. If not already certified, candidates must obtain certification within 30 days from the date of hire to ensure readiness to respond to emergency situations effectively.
  • Food Handler's Card: Acquisition of a Food Handler's card is required within 30 days from the date of hire, demonstrating compliance with food safety regulations and protocols.
  • Valid Driver's License: vehicle transportation, and auto insurance strongly encouraged.

  Environmental Working Conditions

  • The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to high noise levels typical of a classroom environment.

  Benefits

  Neighborhood House offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, including:

  • 26 days of PTO (increases with tenure) per year
  • 12 paid holidays per year
  • Kaiser health, vision, and dental insurance with low employee premiums
  • 403b retirement plan
  • Company-paid life insurance
  • Voluntary life, long-term disability, accident, and critical illness insurance
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with free counseling