Position Type:
Parks and Recreation/Full Time Lead Preschool Teacher
Date Posted:
8/14/2026
Location:
Prieto
Closing Date:
08/28/2026
$35.9700 - $50.3400 / Hour
- Starting salary is dependent upon qualifications, but in most cases is no higher than the midpoint for range.
Location : Prieto Community Center
Scheduled Hours: Monday Friday: 9:30 am - 5:30 pm
NATURE OF WORK: Under the direction of the Early Childhood Education Operations Supervisor and/or their designee, this position is responsible for providing a safe and developmentally appropriate preschool program in accordance with all policies and procedures. The Lead Preschool Supervisor at South End will be responsible for planning and implementing a program to teach young children. They must ensure the development and safety of these children in accordance with policies. The Lead Preschool Supervisor will be respectful of children , parents, and co-workers to ensure that equipment and facilities are clean, safe and well maintained. Failure to provide adequate services may place children at risk. They will provide basic preschool instruction; including planning and leading of games, small group projects and innovative activities for these children. Responsible for the supervision of Assistant Preschool Teachers, child care aides, and volunteers.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF WORK (Specific assignment may include some or all of the following):
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Develop and implement a developmentally appropriate preschool program for young Children:
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Plan and implement educational activities to meet the physical, emotional, intellectual and social needs of the children in the program.
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Supervise the use of equipment and activities
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Ensure equipment and the facility is clean, well maintained and safe at all times
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Provide weekly and monthly schedules of activities
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Develop culturally appropriate programs and activities are held in accordance with policy and procedure.
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Develop activities that introduce math and literacy concepts
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Establish policies and procedures including acceptable disciplinary policies
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Be familiar with emergency procedures
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Ensure meal service is provided in a safe and efficient manner.
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Supervise children in the Pre-school:
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Ensure children are supervised at all times
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Ensure teacher/student ratios are always appropriate
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Provide various experiences and activities for children including songs, games and small group activities
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Build children's esteem in an appropriate manner
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Comfort children in an appropriate manner
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Establish routines and provide positive guidance
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To report and accidents/injury safety concerns immediately to direct supervisor
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Provide a safe and secure environment for children to feel comfortable
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Implement positive discipline when required
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Clearly and effectively communicate in a manner that children understand
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Observe children and make note of progress
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Integrate special needs children in a positive and respectful manner
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Assist in and lead indoor and outdoor recreational and educational activities.
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Possess good judgment, emotional maturity, decision making skills, and willingness to accept responsibilities.
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Provide personal care or support in personal care/diapering to participants enrolled in programs.
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Communicate with parents and members of the community:
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Discuss children's development with parents or guardians
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Execute Parent Teacher Conferences two times a year
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Discuss identified problems and needs with professionals as appropriate
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Participate in community activities
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Promote literacy and early education
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Keep parents informed of program expectations, program activities and their child's progress
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Ability to greet the public/families in a courteous manner and engage in good communications skills.
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Maintain program administration:
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Develop and maintain current, accurate and confidential client files
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Develop daily activity plans
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Complete student observations by appropriate deadline.
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Keeping supervisor informed of material and supplies necessary to conduct programs
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Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, coworkers, and the public.
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Required to attend staff meetings, training sessions and workshops when directed
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Comply with Gateways continuing education requirements
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Perform other related duties as required
MARGINAL FUNCTIONS: Assist in the maintenance of records and the completion of reports. Conduct regular safety checks and report any problems immediately to your supervisor. Assist with set up and clean up of program rooms (moving tables, chairs, equipment and supplies)
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:
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At least 21 years of age.
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High school diploma or equivalent (GED)
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Minimum of an associate degree in child development or early childhood education (30 semester or 45 quarter hours of college credits with 10 semester/15 quarter hours directly related to child development with 1 years (1560 clock hours of work experience in childcare), OR the equivalent (defined as 64 semester hours or 90 quarter hours in any discipline with a minimum of 21 semester hours of college credit in child development, early childhood education or early childhood special education) OR Completion of a credentialing program ie. Gateways, completion of 12 semester or 18 quarter hours in courses related to child care and/or child development from birth to age 6 at an accredited college or university, and 2 years (3120 clock hours) child development experience in a nursery school, kindergarten or licensed day care center.
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Either a Gateways to Opportunity Level I Illinois Director Credential (see 89 Ill. Adm. Code 50.720(b) https://www.ilgateways.com/docman-docs/credentials/additional-information/1648-administrative-training-and-coursework-examples/file
OR 3 semester hours of college credit or 3 points of credential approved training in administration, leadership or management.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities in the following areas:
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Knowledge of computer programs, including Word, Excel and Internet.
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Ability to read staff manuals, memoranda, and attendance sheets.
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Ability to complete attendance sheets, accident reports, incident reports and behavior reports using prescribed format and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, and style.
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Ability to give verbal direction to subordinates, communicate effectively with co-workers, supervisors, citizens, and the public as well as other employees; speaking extemporaneously.
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Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagrammatic form; to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in or from standardized situations.
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Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, and the public, to greet the public in a courteous manner and good communication skills.
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Ability to attend staff meetings, training sessions and workshops, when requested.
PREFERRED SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: CPR, AED and First Aid, Food Handler Certification, Lead Safety Training within six months of employment
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF WORK: Occasional heavy lifting of program equipment may be necessary. (Ability to lift child (up to 50 lbs) when necessary). The worker is subject to prolonged standing while conducting programs. Environmental conditions (physical surroundings) usually associated with this classification: includes recreation centers, gymnasiums, multipurpose rooms, kitchens, swimming pools, athletic fields, parks, playgrounds, office space, conference rooms, beaches, and field trip sites. Classroom includes a variety of animals which must be maintained as part of each classroom science area. Environmental conditions (hazards) usually associated with this classification: the worker is subject to inside environmental conditions approximately 75% of the time and outside work 25% of the time, no effective protection from the weather conditions or temperature changes. Machines, tools, equipment, and work aids which may be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those commonly associated with this type of work: pen, pencil, ruler, blueprints, charts, contracts, diagrams, directives, documents, forms, manuals, publications, reference books, schedules, and specifications. Art/craft supplies, sports equipment, games and toys appropriate for preschool age children.
SUPERVISION: Work is performed under the general direction/supervision of the Early Childhood Education Operations Supervisor and/or their designee. Assignments may vary from season to season and day to day. Assignments can be either verbal or written, with the employee determining proper procedure and work methods and is responsible for completing the work according to City work rules and safety regulations. Work is reviewed through ongoing observation, written and verbal communication, meetings and feedback from supervisors and other department employees. Guidance is provided through rules, regulations, policies and procedures, Personnel Rules and OSHA. Work is evaluated at least annually for the safe and skilled operation of equipment, quality of tasks, adherence to work rules, and performance in accordance with this classification standard.
PUBLIC CONTACT: The employee will have contact with the general public in city-owned buildings. The employee may need to respond to questions and complaints and provide general direction to the public; the employee has regular contact with other City employees in order to share information and complete work assignments.
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To apply for this position, please apply online atwww.cityofevanston.org on or before the closing date.
Chosen candidates will be required to provide proof of licenses, certifications, and education required for this position. Candidates will also be subject to qualifying pre-employment processes, including medical examination, drug/alcohol screen, employment verification, and criminal background check.
The City of Evanston is an equal opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment on the basis of a person's race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity. The City of Evanston is also committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. Any person needing mobility or communications access assistance should contact Human Resources at 847-448-8204 (voice) or 847-448-8052 (TTY).
