Job description

Apply By:
05/29/23

Division:
Head Start Division

Management Level:
Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40

Benefit Eligibility:
This position is eligible for Standard Benefits which includes dental, medical, and vision insurance, paid time off and holidays, retirement matching, wellness programs, and tuition reimbursement.

Description:
Do you want a career that fulfills your passions and purpose to make a difference in the lives of not only your students, but their families?

Do you get excited thinking about working in an all-inclusive preschool program that provides an opportunity for a greater impact working with vulnerable children and families?

Are you passionate about providing extra support to allow students with challenging behaviors to achieve their goals and be successful?

Are you looking for professional development and individualized coaching to progress your career?

Are you interested in being part of a supportive team to help you learn and grow?

If you answered ”yes” to these questions, Jefferson County Early Head Start Lead Teacher position may be what you've been searching for!

The Early Head Start Lead Teacher role is a great opportunity if you are:

A recent graduate looking to start your career in early childhood education

A seasoned professional or current substitute teacher seeking a full-time, benefited role

Check out this video to hear from two of our Teachers!

Head Start is a no cost, all-inclusive, child-focused and family-centered early-childhood program for children ages 0-5. A range of individualized services in the areas of education, early childhood development, medical, dental, mental health, nutrition, family support, and parent education. We strive to provide equitable and inclusive services and support to the diverse community we serve.

The Early Head Start Lead Teacher will be responsible for implementing curriculum in an infant (0-18 months) or toddler(18-36 months) classroom of 8 children, maintaining compliance with Head Start Performance standards, and partnering with a multi-disciplinary team to provide the best service to our Head Start Families.

Head Start offers opportunities for on-site professional development scheduled during work hours, a team-oriented program that assists with providing the best service for our families, and individualized coaching.

The Early Head Start Lead Teacher is responsible for maintaining the Head Start educational program by working with low-income families using a two-generation trauma informed approach. Build family well-being by intentionally and simultaneously working with children and the adults in their lives. Form strong partnerships with each family by soliciting and valuing their perspective on their child’s education to create individual learning goals. Use a multidisciplinary team approach to reduce the impact of trauma and improve child outcomes for school success by building children’s resiliency through trauma-sensitive practices. Support the daily implementation approved, researched-based, curriculum that features exploration and discovery as a way of learning. Develop lesson plans that include individualized instruction for English language learners, children with disabilities, and children who demonstrate competencies beyond typical developmental expectations. Utilize observation-based early childhood assessment systems to track each child’s unique development. Provide continual guidance and support to co-teachers, substitute teachers, and classroom aids. Support the recruitment efforts of family and community volunteers and track in kind classroom hours. Comply with all Head Start performance standards and state childcare licensing requirements.

Schedule: This position is predominantly performed in the office, with some flexibility for remote work when children are not present. This is a full-time, year-round position.

Primary location: Wheat Ridge

Hiring Range: $60,000 - $62,000 USD Annual

Staff that are fluent in a language other than English may be eligible for additional compensation of $1,830 annually for use of bi-lingual skills.

Benefits: Jefferson County offers a generous benefits package that supports your personal and professional life. Benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance, paid time off and holidays, retirement matching, wellness programs, tuition reimbursement, flexible schedules, remote work options and more. For more information, click Here for our Total Rewards summary.

Essential Duties:
The Early Head Start Lead Teacher is responsible for:
Partnering with a multi-disciplinary team including mental health specialists, special education professionals, and family support specialists to provide the best service for our families including home visits, family conferences, and implementation of Individual Family Service Plans

Delivering Creative Curriculum that are developmentally appropriate lesson plans, including activities geared toward social-emotional development and utilizing trauma informed care practices

Develop and implement lesson plans that include large groups, small groups, and individualized play-based instruction to meet each child’s unique developmental needs.

Working with your Co-Teacher / Teacher Associate to ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards within the classroom including education, disabilities, parent involvement, nutrition, health and mental health, etc.

Conducting observations, administering development, social, and emotional screenings, and maintaining clear and complete documentation

Actively supervising children

Supporting peers by collaborating and sharing experiences to finding solutions together

Incorporating individual schedule to meet infant and toddler needs into the classroom setting

Provide guidance and support to co-teachers, classroom aids, and volunteers to ensure developmentally appropriate Head Start practices and childcare licensing requirements are met at all times.

Collaborate with family and Early Intervention (EI) service providers to support goals on classroom functioning. Create MTSS goals for children that may have a suspected developmental delay and collect necessary data needed to support EI referrals.

Build family engagement and develop relationships with families through ongoing interactions that are responsive to the strengths, interests, needs, and culture of the family.

Conduct family visits prior to the child’s first day of school to partner with the parent as the child’s first educator to empower parents to make decisions about their child’s educational experiences, and to create individual child school readiness goals. Conduct a second family visit in the spring to reflect on the school experiences of the child and the family. Complete two family-teacher conferences throughout the school year reviewing child outcomes and set new developmental goals.

Qualifications:
To qualify, a candidate must meet one of the three bullets listed below:

An associate, bachelor, or advanced degree in child development or early childhood education (ECE)

An associate, bachelor, or advanced degree in a related field with coursework equivalent to ECE, CDA with Infant-Toddler Focus or EQIT AND a minimum of one-year work related experience teaching infant to preschool age children.

An associate’s degree AND be enrolled in a program that will lead to a baccalaureate degree within two years of the time of hire.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Ability to exercise sound judgement and initiative

Passionate about the education of young children

Strong customer service

Experience with Microsoft Office/Microsoft 365

Strong time management and prioritization skills

Maintains regular contact with children and families in the classroom settings

Ability to remain calm in difficult situations

Additional Job Information:
Offer of employment contingent on review of child abuse neglect database, fingerprint results, criminal background, sex offender registry, motor vehicle record check, and education verification.

Must have a valid driver's license, if you are from out of state, you must obtain a valid Colorado driver's license within 30 days of hire date and you must not have any major violations, nor more than one DUI, DWI, DWAI conviction in the past three years.

Must be available to work occasional evenings and weekends, and willingness to occasionally travel to assigned Head Start Sites (Arvada or Wheat Ridge).

Perjury Statement: Any applicant who knowingly or willfully makes a false statement of any material fact or thing in the application is guilty of perjury in the second degree as defined in Section 18-8-503, C.R.S., and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished accordingly.

How to Apply:
Applications will be accepted electronically at Jefferson County Colorado Career Opportunities.

Applicants complete an online form and have the option to provide a resume and detailed cover letter that describes why you are the best candidate for the position. Applications are reviewed for minimum qualifications listed in the qualifications section of the job bulletin, and applicants are contacted directly by the hiring team regarding next steps. To view the status of your application or direct communication from the hiring team, please log into your candidate portal.

For more details on the recruitment process, please visit https://www.jeffco.us/1860/FAQs

Questions:
County Recruitment Team: 303-271-8400 or CareerTalent@Jeffco.us

Library Recruitment Team: 303.275.6168 or talent@jeffcolibrary.org

Sheriff Recruitment Team: 303.271.5332 or sheriff.recruiting@co.jefferson.co.us

Education:
Bachelor's Degree

Experience:
Work Experience: Minimum two years

Certifications:
CPR/First Aid/AED - State of Colorado

Languages:
Category:
Health & Human Services

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