Preschool Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

Description :

POSITION : Preschool Teacher

JOB CODE : EST 3

OCCUPATIONAL GROUPING : Education

REPORTS TO : Education Coordinator or Site Supervisor

CLASSIFICATION : Non-Exempt

POSITION TYPE : Full Time / Part Year (9.83-Months)

SALARY GRADE : 38

HOURLY PAY RANGE : $31.04 to $34.26

LOCATION : Pico Rivera, CA

PROGRAM SUMMARY

Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services, Inc. (Plaza) is a comprehensive early childhood education program with a focus on school readiness for children zero to five years of age. Developmentally appropriate services are provided for children from low-income families, zero to five years of age. Plaza de la Raza currently serves over 650 children and their families.

DEFINITION

Under general direction, this position instructs and provides general direction to teaching staff and classroom volunteers. Leads teaching staff in the center, in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate learning experiences that engage the whole child. Establish and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment and encourages the involvement of families to strengthen the relationships between children, families, and community. Responsible for the general day-to-day operations of a Head Start / Early Head Start center, ensuring regulatory and legal compliance with Agency’s policies, procedures, and federal and state regulations, as well as fostering an environment that communicates effectively. This position serves as the lead contact for, and ensures compliance with, Child Care Licensing.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

General direction and supervision are provided by the Education Coordinator or Site Supervisor.

DUTIES AND RESPOBSIBILITIES

Classroom Health and Safety

• Implements a plan to ensure the safety of children within the group utilizing indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Inspects facilities, following Plaza de la Raza’s Health and Safety policies and Procedures for hazardous conditions and unsafe materials. Removes hazardous and unsafe materials.
• Reports needed repairs and or maintenance to the appropriate personnel.
• Implements classroom activities that build healthy habits, i.e., hand washing and brushing teeth.
• Provides diaper changes (if needed) and meets toileting needs of children.
• Provides constant and consistent supervision and management of children in the classroom to ensure a safe, clean, healthy, and secure learning environment.
• Conducts emergency drills.
• Recognizes and reports accidents, illnesses, and suspected child abuse to appropriate personnel according Plaza policies and procedures.
• Ensures staff comply with Plaza de la Raza Health and Safety policies and procedures to maintain a safe, healthy, and secure learning environment for children and staff.
• Ensures compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, federal and state regulation, and Community Care Licensing requirements.

Effective Teaching Practices

Parent / Family Community Engagement

JOB REQUIREMENTS

KNOWLEDGE

Must have working knowledge of child development, developmentally appropriate practices that fosters school readiness.

ABILITY TO

Establish and maintain a healthy learning environment. Support the social / emotional, physical and cognitive development of children and encourage family involvement in the program. Support the development of relationships between children and their families, implement effective curriculum planning and maintain confidentiality of student / family information, use problem-solving and analytical skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year college or university in early childhood education, child development or related field and a current California Child Development Teacher Permit are required.

Experience

Three years teaching and administrative experience in a child development program. Head Start experience is highly preferred.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met, or are encountered, by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit and climb or balance. The employee may frequently lift and / or move a minimum of 25 pounds up to 45 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

MAINTAIN PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL STANDARDS

Adheres to Plaza de la Raza's Standard of Conduct which indicates that staff members are required to adhere to the following codes of conduct :

1. Respect and promote the unique identity of each child and family and refrain from stereotyping on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, or disability.

2. Follow program confidentiality policies concerning information about children, families and other staff members.

3. Maintain visual observation of children at all times and not leave any child alone or unsupervised while under their care.

4. Use positive methods of child guidance and will not engage in corporal punishment, emotional or physical abuse, or humiliation.

5. Not employ methods of discipline that involve isolations, the used of food as punishment or reward, or the denial of basic needs.

6. Not solicit or accept personal gratuities, favors or anything of significant monetary value form contractors or potential contractors.

7. Maintain respect and promote professional relationships with the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), families, staff and children.

8. Refrain from the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of alcoholic beverage, controlled substance, and tobacco products in the workplace or at any activity funded by federal or state funds.

9. Maintain adherence to LACOE, state, or federal mandates, including but not limited to program eligibility determination regulations for Early Head Start, Head Start or state preschool services.

10. Enrolling pregnant women and children that are not eligible to receive Early Head Start or Head Start services.

BENEFIT PLANS

Plaza offers eligible employees the opportunity to select plans and programs that meet individual and family needs through our comprehensive benefit plans listed below :

Health Care Coverages : Medical, Dental, Vision, Employer Sponsored Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability

Voluntary Coverages : Accidental, Hospital and Life Insurance

Financial : 401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off : Holiday, Sick and Personal Time, and up to 30 Days of Jury Duty

Work / Life Solutions : Employee Assistance Program (EAP) & Employee Assistance Service for Education (EASE)

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Complete an online employment application on www.plazadelarazacds.org ; and submit the required documentation : 1) Resume; 2) Transcripts reflecting degree and major; 3) Copy of valid California Child Development Teacher Permit; and 5) Copy of valid CPR / First Aid for infants / children. Only complete application packets will be considered for the screening and selection process.

2. Submit official transcripts prior to date of hire.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services Inc. is an equal opportunity employer to all. Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population can learn, live, and work in an atmosphere of tolerance, civility, and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Requirements :