Job Description

*Note:

For applicants with extensive qualifications and/or years of experience, hiring range may be exceeded with approval. If approval is granted, it will be based upon careful review of the applicant's qualifications, experience, internal equity and budgetary considerations. The final rate approved will typically never be at a rate equal to or above the established midpoint of the pay range for the position.

Community Action Organization reserves the right to modify, interpret or apply this job description as needed. The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties (including essential duties), and skills to be performed by the employee occupying this position. This job description is not a contract implied or otherwise and the employment relationship remains at-will. The aforementioned requirements may be subject to change to reasonably accommodate qualified persons with disabilities. All positions are contingent upon funding and successful passing of all required background checks, required registry checks, and physical screenings if required.

All staff in positions which regularly require driving either company or personal vehicles while performing work on behalf of Community Action are required to provide Human Resources proof of a valid driver's license for a motor vehicle record check both at hire and annually thereafter. Human Resources will conduct a motor-vehicle record. These records will be held as confidential records in Human Resources. All accidents will be reported to Human Resources within 48 hours.

Special Note on Central Background Registry Requirement:

In order to be offered any position within our Head Start program, you must be currently enrolled in Oregon's Central Background Registry. If you are not currently enrolled, you may still be considered for this position, but no offer of employment may be extended to you until this requirement has been completed. For information on how to enroll in Oregon's Central Background Registry, please visit or call the Office of Child Care at 1.800.556.6616.

P osition Summary :

In support of the Agency's mission, the Teacher is responsible for developing strong nurturing relationships with young children aged 6 weeks to 3 years, including planning and implementing a developmentally appropriate learning environment that includes meaningful experiences that prepare children for success in school environments. In partnership with the parents, the Teacher also promotes family engagement in their child's learning. Additionally, the Teacher is responsible for encouraging a high level of parent involvement and the delivery of family support services to advocate for greater self-sufficiency of Head Start families. This position provides the initial link between the Head Start program, the community, and the families it serves. Responsibilities include compliance with federal and state Head Start Performance Standards, Agency/Head Start Policies and Procedures, Oregon Childcare Division regulations, and QRIS standards.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities :

• Responsible for understanding and implementing the appropriate policies and procedures and performance standards as prescribed by the Community Action Head Start Program.
• Establish and maintain a safe, healthy, orderly and nurturing classroom environment organized into functional areas.
• Develop a consistent and responsive classroom schedule, which includes small and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, and meals. Facilitate safe and effective transitions between activities.
• Using a research-based curriculum and inquiry-based approach, prepare and implement lesson plans and classroom materials to support a developmentally appropriate education program.
• Develop and maintain Primary Care-giving assignments, routines, and philosophies.
• Encourage developmentally appropriate exploration, problem-solving, cooperation, socialization and choice-making.
• Serve and track meals and snacks according to program Food Service procedures.
• Work in partnership with classroom staff to encourage collaborative team interaction that facilitates respectful relationships, embraces diversity, and encourages constructive problem solving.
• Develop and maintain regularly scheduled planning and team meetings.
• Ensure that classroom is in compliance, and maintaining that no child is left alone or unsupervised.
• Ensure that staff develop and maintain consistent, positive relationships with children, treating them with dignity and respect.
• Apply a developmentally appropriate and positive approach to guiding children's behavior, according to program policy.
• Develop and implement a system to collect, analyze and record objective and complete observations on children.
• Adapt curriculum to meet individual goals for children as identified in the Smart Teach Report Card form.
• Ensure the successful inclusion of children with special needs and work with Education Specialists, Behavior Specialists, and Mental Health Specialists to identify and provide appropriate services for them.
• Attend the IFSP staffing to assist in development and achievement of IFSP goals.
• Responsible for initial screenings, medical protocol, mental health referrals, and daily health check.
• Responsible for determination of child's initial health status and developmental needs, completing and entering 45 and 90 day requirements into ChildPlus database.
• Maintain confidentiality when working with children and families in all written and verbal communications and documentation.
• Ensure child and family records are maintained in a manner that guarantees confidentiality and accurately reflects ongoing assessments, services and outcomes in the database system and/or paper files as required.
• Develop and maintain respectful relationships with families; documenting regular contact.
• Complete late season enrollment process with new families.
• Plan and facilitate family orientation to the program, family engagement in Parent Site/Center meetings, parental participation in Policy Council and weekly family update meetings.
• Conduct home visits, parent-teacher conferences and other parent-focused activities to establish a positive link between home and school. Support the parent as the primary educator of the child.
• Assist families in developing their individual goals including regular follow-up to identify progress, barriers to progress, and/or services received.
• Work closely with families to resolve barriers and conflicts that hinder self-sufficiency.
• Provide a welcoming atmosphere that promotes and reinforces parental involvement in the classroo
• Plan and coordinate day-to-day activities of parent volunteers, providing on the job training as neede
• Assist families to complete follow-up on dental, medical, physical, and mental health needs of the families.
• Provide families information regarding classes, trainings or other education opportunities as requested/required by the Head Start Program.
• Provide families with timely information and referrals appropriate to their needs.
• Produce monthly reports on the status of all referrals as requested by families.
• Coordinate and confer with Family Services Teachers as needed.
• Strictly adhere to all safety policies and procedures at all times and respond to/correct any at-risk safety issues immediately.
• Strictly adhere to agency code of ethics and standards of workplace behavior.
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet business needs including regular and reliable attendance and adherence to all company workplace behavior standards.

Monitoring:

• Monitor and maintain compliance with all Head Start and Agency policies and procedures, as well as established federal, state, and funding source guidelines and procedures.
• Complete all identified monitoring tools as directed. Provide follow up as needed.
• Monitor child attendance weekly and provide follow up as needed.
• Monitor staff certification and vacation accruals to ensure compliance with all applicable requirements and policies. Follow up as needed.
• In collaboration with Program Area Supervisor, monitor educational timelines (including home visit schedule, completion of developmental screenings and parent-teacher conferences). Follow up as needed.
• Participate in the Federal Review process, as required.
• Participate in the Head Start Annual Self-Assessment.

Leadership and Teamwork:

• Serve as a role model to staff, peers and families in all areas of performance.
• Demonstrate knowledge of current trends and best practices in Early Childhood Education and Family Services, as well as Agency Policies and Procedures.
• Provide excellent customer service to clients, parents and community partners.
• Build an effective team by supporting and responding appropriately to concerns and facilitating constructive resolution to team issues.
• Attend and participate in all required meetings and trainings.
• Demonstrate professional habits in all interactions, internally and externally.
• Work in partnership with classroom staff to encourage collaborative team interaction that facilitates respectful relationships, embraces diversity, and encourages constructive problem solving.
• Develop and maintain regularly schedule planning and team meetings.
• Actively engage in communication and conflict resolution when challenges with other staff members occur.
• Demonstrate professional habits in all interaction, internally and externally.
• Collaborate with Component Supervisors and Family Services Teachers to ensure children and families receive comprehensive services.

Marginal Functions and Responsibilities :

• Other marginal functions and responsibilities as assigned.

Required Education/Training/Experience :

• Education: Minimum of a Child Development Associate Credential (Infant/Toddler); sufficient to be placed at Step 7 or higher on the Oregon Registry. Transcripts, diplomas and/or Oregon Registry Step Certificates are required to validate educational requirements.
• Experience: At least two years of qualifying teaching experience, with at least one year as a teacher, in a Certified Child Care Center or comparable group care program, in the care of infants and/or toddlers. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Requires a valid Oregon driver's license, proof of auto insurance for private vehicle, and/or access to reliable transportation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with families.
• Intermediate computer literacy and familiarity with applications such as databases and spreadsheets, word processing, email and internet.
• Must be able to successfully pass applicable background and Oregon Central Background Registry checks prior to new hire processing and beginning actual employment.
• Completion of appropriate Fit for Duty and TB Testing according to Head Start regulations prior to date of hire.

Preferred:

• Education: Minimum of an Associate's Degree in the field of Early Childhood Education OR an Associate's Degree out of the field that includes coursework sufficient to be placed at Step 9 or higher on the Oregon Registry. Acceptable coursework would be a minimum of 20 quarter college credits or 13 semester college credits in at least 5 Core Knowledge Categories (as defined by Oregon Registry). Transcripts, diplomas and/or Oregon Registry Step Certificates are required to validate educational requirements.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish, written and verbal.
• Three or more years experience teaching children ages 0 - 3 years of age.
• Prior Head Start program experience.
• Training and/or education in working with children with special needs

Required Licensing or Other Special Certifications :

• Current Oregon Registry Step Certificate (or acquired within 90 days from date of hire).
• Current First Aid/CPR certification (or acquired within 30 days from date of hire).
• Current Oregon Food Handler Card (or acquired within 30 days from date of hire).
• All state licensing requirements for classroom staff (or acquired within 30 days from date of hire).

Required Physical Demands of Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Work is conducted mostly in a classroom environment.
• Occasional phone use.
• Occasional use of video terminal and keyboarding.
• Ability to monitor and respond to events going on at all times in the classroom and outdoor play areas.
• Physical ability to move quickly in order to redirect children for the purpose of insuring a child's safety or the safety of others in the environment.
• Ability to respond appropriately both physically and mentally to an emergency or crisis situation, such as to provide CPR and/or First Aid to a child, to evacuate a building, etc.
• In normal work day, may stand/walk __4__ hrs/day; may sit _4_ hrs/day; may drive __1 hrs/week; may use hands for repetitive grasping, pushing and pulling, typing and fine manipulation _2_ hrs/day; may use hands at or above shoulder level for _1_ hrs/day.
• In normal work day, may bend, squat, and/or climb frequently. Frequent kneeling, stooping, bending and sitting on the floor or in small chairs.
• Work is moderate in nature, frequently lifting and/or carrying children or objects up to 25 lbs. Occasional lifting of a child weighing up to 60 lbs.
• May require walking or standing to a significant degree, or sitting most of the time with a degree of pushing and pulling of arm and/or leg controls.

How to Apply for this Position:

To be considered we must receive a completed Community Action Employment Application form. You are welcome to also include a cover letter and resume at your option. Transcripts may be required for certain positions. Applications can be completed on our website: or you can print off the application to complete or pick up the application form at either of our following locations:

Hillsboro - 1001 SW Baseline St, Hillsboro, OR 97123

Beaverton - 17933 NW Evergreen Pl, Suite 315, Beaverton, OR 97006

Be sure to submit your application in a timely manner. If you choose not to complete an online application, you can send your completed application form, optional resume and cover letter and any other required documents via fax at 503.400.3691. If you prefer to mail your application be sure to mail attention Human Resources at the Hillsboro office address above.

All application submissions will be acknowledged with a receipt notification. If you are selected for an interview, we will contact you.

All current Community Action employees are encouraged to apply for openings at Community Action which they are interested in. For current employees, some qualifications may be met by an equivalent combination or education and experience at the discretion of the employer.

COMMUNITY ACTION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Community Action is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or other protected status in accordance with applicable federal and state equal employment opportunity laws. Applicants with disabilities may request accommodation to complete the application and selection process. Please notify Human Resources at least three (3) working days prior to the date of need.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs