JOB TITLE: Lead Teacher
DEPARTMENT: Early Childhood Education
PROGRAM: CSPP/HS
STATUS: Full Time - Non-Exempt
REPORTS TO: ECE Manager
HOURS PER WEEK: 40
TERM: 12 Months
The Organization:
Human Services Association (HSA) is a private nonprofit agency whose principal mission is to provide families with compassionate and comprehensive care to promote wellness and build strong communities. HSA was founded in Bell Gardens in 1940 and today, HSA serves over 20,000 clients annually on a non-sectarian basis with a range of services that addresses the unique and shared needs of clients of all ages.
Program Overview:
Our Early Childhood Education Department provides services to 600 children over three distinct programs (Early Head Start, Head Start and State Preschool) at ten school sites. The California State Preschool Program provides a pre-school experience for children ages 3 to 5 in the cities of South Gate and Huntington Park. The Early Head Start Program is a federally funded program that provides a home based and center based program for pregnant women and children ages 0-3 that reside in zip codes of 90201 and 90280. The Head Start Program offers a comprehensive child development program for low-income preschoolers ages three to five years old that reside in zip code 90280.
Position Summary:
Under the general direction and supervision of the ECE Manager, The Lead Teacher fulfills the role of the person responsible for the site as defined by Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations. Oversees the daily operation of the site where care is given to young children and services are provided to their families. This position is responsible for the daily activities of the center staff, the daily program for children, their families, and interacts with parents and volunteers including center meetings and facilitating interactions among staff.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Ensures center is in compliance with Title 22, Head Start Performance Standards, Title V, all Licensing regulations and Agency Policies and Procedures
- Reports any site concerns to the ECE Manager immediately
- Ensure center is safe for all children, parents and staff
- Ensures the maintenance of a safe, nurturing, interactive and orderly environment for children.
- Maintains appropriate adult-child ratios, substituting for teachers during breaks and lunch time and as necessary.
- Ensures that all children are signed in and signed out daily.
- Meets with all staff at the site to ensure compliance in all funding source regulations. Documents meetings as appropriate.
- Facilitates site meetings, as needed.
- Ensure all proper documentation requirements are posted appropriately as the site.
- Ensure all lesson plans, DRDP, observations, ASQ, paperwork, etc. is completed by due dates from all teaching staff
- Develops and maintains a plan to ensure the safety of the children when supervising the indoor and outdoor center facilities (Zoning).
- Ensures the health and safety of all children at all times at the site assigned.
- Records and notifies parents and administrative office of illness and accidents of children and staff members immediately.
- Conducts daily health checks of each child.
- Conducts monthly emergency drills and records results.
- Conducts and coordinates small and large group activities.
- Ensures that the daily activities of center staff are in support of best practices.
- Selects and orders appropriate classroom materials as needed.
- Designs and plans the daily program with teaching staff.
- Monitors classroom activities and actively participates in all children activities.
- Individualizes planning and lesson plans per child.
- Implements nutritional and healthy activities for children.
- Implements and plans activities using assigned curriculum that supports school readiness.
- Records and monitors children’s educational files including daily observations and assessments of children.
- Maintains compliant with documentation deadlines (child assessments, observations, parent conferences, etc.).
- Plans and coordinates home visits and parent conferences.
- Makes necessary adaptations in program to meet the individual needs of children including disabilities, cultural backgrounds and home languages.
- Assists children with physical, emotional needs and overall development.
- Attends Individual Education Plan (IEP) or IFSP meetings.
- Attends Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings, as scheduled.
- Maintains records for all children in the classroom assigned.
- Attends and prepares material for parent center meetings.
- Trains and coordinates parent and community volunteers, completes any required documentation necessary.
- Establishes and promotes daily positive interactions with parents, in order to increase the program’s ability to help parents meet their child rearing responsibilities.
- Involves parents in educational activities in the classroom and at home.
- Ensures there is communication between Teacher and parents.
- Records and totals the meal count, milk count and children’s attendance records.
- Facilitates center team meetings.
- Remains at center to supervise children for late pick-ups.
- Participates in staff conferences, including conflict resolution.
- Provides children observations, ASQ/ASQ/SE, DRDP-R, etc.
- Provided input into evaluation of support staff.
- Ensures the center classroom area is clean and the bathroom is clean for the children’s use by cleaning up, sweeping, wiping, throwing away trash and preparing classroom.
- Ensures that all appropriate documents are completed and submitted in a timely manner, including Incident Reports, Child Abuse Report, Case Notes, Meal Counts, etc.
- Report to work at scheduled times and maintain good attendance.
- Participate with a positive attitude and behavior in all program activities.
- Model the Standard of Conduct Policy when interacting with parents, community members and Colleagues
- In accordance with our "team" philosophy, the person filling this position may occasionally be required to carry out or assist with other tasks in addition to the duties listed on this job description
- Staff must believe in and act in accordance with both the Agency's and the program's mission/vision statements, adopted theoretical frameworks, and philosophy.
- Identify and report any suspected incidents of child abuse (following the Mandated Reporter Guidelines)
- Communicates with children, families and other staff in respectful and culturally sensitive manner
- Maintains confidentiality of children, families and employees of HSA
- Works as member of agency team by promoting the mission and philosophy of HSA
- Participate in at least 2 recruitment activities and/or community events, sponsored by the agency or other agencies, that may include nights and weekends, to be able to identify children who may qualify for the program.
- Represents HSA at community and professional functions, as needed.
- Attend department, agency, and community meetings and trainings, as assigned. Continue professional growth by participating in classes, training programs, workshops and/or conferences, as the budget allows.
- Willing to work evenings, weekends and to travel locally and out of the service area for trainings.
- Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor and/or Department Director
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities:
- At least Two (2) years experience with children, ages 0-5, in a group care setting (350) days of three hours or within four years, must include at least 100 days of supervising adults in a child care and development program.
- Knowledge in Child growth and development and Developmentally Appropriate Practice.
- Ability to plan, organize and supervise a child development center.
- Principles of Supervision, Training and Performance Evaluation.
- Be knowledgeable in the implementation of education program policies and procedures.
- Ability to train and supervise classroom teachers, assistants and volunteers.
- Ability to work effectively with individuals of diverse educational, socio-economic, and cultural backgrounds, and those with disabilities and special needs.
- Ability to keep accurate records and in a timely manner.
- Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
- Organized and able to successfully meet daily objectives; have the ability to lead team atmosphere; have mediation and negotiation skills; possess effective conflict resolution skills.
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing using correct English (spelling, grammar, vocabulary and punctuation).
- Effective oral and written communication; Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred
Education And Experience:
- Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in related field with 24 units of ECE, + 3 units supervised field experience and possession of a Site Supervisor Permit or higher.
- Two years’ experience in an instructional capacity in a child development program with at least one year in a supervisory role preferred.
- Knowledge and experience working with Head Start Performance Standards, Title V, Title 22, CACFP Regulations and other State and Federal Regulations
Licensing/Certification Requirements:
- Possess or meet requirements for Associate Teacher Permit or higher.
- Occasional driving is required. Must provide your own vehicle, valid California Driver’s License and proof of full insurance coverage.
- First Aid certification, Child CPR certification.
- Health screening:
- Physical
- Negative tuberculosis screen (TB)(required).
- TDAP or DTAP clearance (required)
- MMR Clearance (required)
- We require the selected candidate to undergo a criminal background check using the Live Scan fingerprinting method in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Work Environment/Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job or that an employee encounters while performing the essential function of this job.
- Work in moderate noise levels and non-smoking environment
- Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds independently
- Frequently involves sitting, standing, walking, squatting, bending, and climbing stairs (as needed)
- Occasionally may be required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
- Must be able to speak and hear clearly to communicate effectively
- Constantly operates a computer, keyboard, and other various office machinery
- Majority of job duties are performed onsite; however, visits to different sites may be required
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations may be made to qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Compensation:
In accordance with California law, the expected pay range for this position is posted with this position. The actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law.
Human Services Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as defined by applicable federal, state, and local laws.
As part of our hiring process, we conduct criminal background checks on all new hires using the Live Scan fingerprinting method, in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $28.00 - $34.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Have you supervised adults in a child care and development program for at least 100 days?
- How many units of ECE have you completed? Have you completed at least 3 units of supervised field experience?
- What is your knowledge and/or experience working with head Start Performance Standards, Title V, Title 22, CACFP Regulations, and other State and Federal Regulations?
- Are you willing to undergo a Live Scan (background check)?
Education:
Experience:
- instructional capacity in child development program: 2 years (Required)
- supervisory role in child development program: 1 year (Preferred)
Language:
License/Certification:
- Child Development Site Supervisor Permit (Required)
- Driver's License (Required)
- First Aid Certification (Required)
- Child CPR Certification (Required)
Work Location: In person
