Head Start ELC Lead Teacher

Position:                           Head Start / ELC Lead Teacher

Supervisor:                       Head Start, ELC Director

Wage:                               $23.04 – $32.29 per hour, FLSA Non-Exempt

Hours:                               40 hours per week, Monday-Friday

Duration:                          Based on available funding, Full-Time Regular at completion of six month probationary period

The Head Start / ELC Lead Teacher is responsible for planning and providing high quality educational experiences for preschool services in the center’s educational program, in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards. Recognizing parents as the primary educator of their children, the Lead Teacher involves parents with all aspects of center planning and activities.  The Lead Teacher will be responsible for the case management of classroom families as well as overseeing the case management assistance of the Teacher Assistant. The Team Teacher is the immediate supervisor of the teaching team.  This position will work under two separate grants:  Head Start and CCDF at different hours of the day and is expected to understand and follow all applicable Performance Standards and WAC regulations.

Principal Duties:

1.       With a thorough knowledge of child development, plans and implements the daily program with the assistance of a Teacher Assistant and aides, volunteers, etc. (as applicable). Planned activities and experiences should be developmentally appropriate, engaging, exploratory, and in line with the early childhood philosophy of the program

2.       Maintains an understanding of Head Start regulations and licensing WACs and supports the center by understanding the importance of all regulations, implementing systems to comply with all regulations, and striving for full compliance every day

3.       Conducts and/or coordinates health and developmental screenings and utilizes all screening results to plan for and meet the individual needs of all children  

4.       Establishes a successful classroom environment including room arrangement with proper zoning, child-accessible materials to include sensory, open-ended, creative, and exploratory materials, and orderly set up/clean up system, a visual schedule of daily activities, meaningful child work on display throughout the classroom, and a focus on natural elements, calming décor, and cultural relevance

5.       Maintains responsibility for classroom documentation and implementation of individualization to include regular child observations, portfolios of developmental progress, individualized learning plans, lesson planning, and regular, ongoing assessments.  Guides Teacher Assistant in assisting with these efforts

6.       Establishes supportive relationships with all families, demonstrating the importance of parent involvement in the child’s learning process.  Engages and implements parent activities and opportunities for involvement including culturally relevant and anti-bias classroom curriculum, reflective of the families enrolled in the center

7.       Supports safe and orderly transportation of children, ensuring that proper seat restraints are used at all times and all safety regulations are followed during bus transportation

8.       Helps children engage in meaningful conversations with teachers and peers, providing conversational feedback loops, language modeling, and high quality, effective interactions throughout the day

9.       Provides positive guidance to children with successful classroom management, and demonstrates clear limits and expectations according to developmentally appropriate practices

10.   Eats with and assists children in the development of self-help skills and sound nutritional practices during family-style meal service

11.   Oversees record keeping and child files, keeping in compliance with the policies and procedures of the program, including attendance, meal counts, health checks, etc.

12.   Supervises and provides guidance to other staff, interns or volunteers, including work assignments and case management, checking accuracy of work, and offering positive and corrective feedback, as well as giving input to the Program Director for their Performance Evaluations

13.   Plans, conducts and evaluates a minimum of two required home visits and two parent conferences.  Uses home visits and parent conferences to discuss the child’s individual development and progress, assist the parents in developing family goals and skills, and solicit parent observations and input on child’s development

14.   Participates in staffing with the Program Director, school district and other agencies representing the child’s Head Start educational experiences

15.   Uses the playground, field trips, and outdoor activities as extensions of the classroom with engaging interactions and experiences, while ensuring safety of children at all times

16.   Recruits and orients parent volunteers, providing guidance and modeling as needed

17.   Assures that all child files are complete, accurate, neat, confidentially maintained, and appropriately tracked on electronic documentation systems in place

18.   Maintains confidentiality for all children, families, and staff; Exercises appropriate discretion in information sharing with other staff as it applies to job responsibilities on a need-to-know basis

19.   Attends training as relevant to staff development plans and required continuing education. Maintains current certification for First Aid, CPR, Food Handler’s Permit, and health checks.  Understands and complies with CPS mandated reporting requirements for child abuse and neglect

20.   Works in a friendly and respectful manner with all staff to create and foster a team environment

21.   Performs other duties as assigned

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by a person in this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed in such a position.

Required Qualifications:

1.       Must be at least 18 years of age

2.       Must possess a two or four year degree in ECE or a related degree with 45 credits in ECE

3.       Must complete 30hrs Basic STARS course and 10 STARS hours of continuing education each year

4.       Minimum of two years’ experience working with children and families in a culturally diverse setting

5.       Must possess strong written, verbal, and interpersonal skills

6.       Able to carry forty pounds without difficulty, sit in a child-sized chair, move quickly from multiple positions and levels, and ride on a bus

7.       Must obtain First Aid, and CPR certifications within 30 days of hire

8.       Must have initial TB test, and be free from communicable disease

9.       Must possess current Food Handlers Permit before employment

10.   Must pass state, federal, and Department of Early Learning fingerprinting and background checks.

Working Conditions:

Physical Demands: Must be able to lift and carry 40lbs; able to stand (40% of time), sit (30% of time), as well as frequently stoop, squat, lift, kneel, bend, reach, and run (30% of time); possess manual dexterity sufficient to use hand writing materials, computers, and office equipment to prepare reports and documentation; be physically able to move through classrooms, ride along and load/unload from a school bus; Mental/Visual Demands: Constant mental, visual, and audio supervision of children and attention is needed. Tasks involve eye-hand coordination. Working Environment: mainly indoors with heat and some air conditioning. Outside time is required each day on playground or on field trips. Must be able to move around for the majority of shift. Unavoidable hazards/risks: Possibility of exposure to blood and bodily fluids; possibility of exposure to communicable diseases. Protective clothing or equipment may be required (goggles, gloves, masks, boots, etc.)

Samish Indian Nation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively encourages applications from all persons regardless of race, religion, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, or ancestry.  Samish preference and Indian preference will be applied to the selection for this position as defined in Title 25, US Code Section 473.

CONFIDENTIALITY:  This position develops, maintains, and is responsible for safeguarding the computer/electronic and hardcopy file folders containing sensitive and proprietary information about the Tribe and its members.  The incumbent must maintain confidentiality of all work and files pertaining to enrollment, clients, survey results, and all other material that may identify individuals by name (either directly or by reference), as set forth by the Tribal Council in the Personnel Manual.  Any violation in this matter may result in immediate termination of employment.

Please state your eligibility for Indian preference in your cover letter.  Indian preference must be documented prior to interview or hiring.  BIA Form 4432 or tribal enrollment ID may be submitted with the application if claiming Indian Preference.

All persons who are offered employment with the Samish Indian Nation must give permission for a thorough background check of previous work performance, motor vehicle history, credit history and criminal history, as well as a pre-employment drug screen.

This position is a “covered position” under the Tribe’s Indian Child and Family Violence Act Policy and all applicants must undergo a fingerprint background investigation in order to be hired for this position.  The Tribe will not hire, permit anyone to work or volunteer in a covered position if the person has ever been found guilty or entered a plea of no contest or guilty to any offense under federal, state, or Tribal law which involves violence, threat of violence, sexual assault, molestation, exploitation, prostitution, crimes against persons, or offenses committed against children.