Infant-Toddler Teacher

Infant-Toddler Teacher

Early Childhood Center - Early Head Start Program

Kenai, AK, USA

Full Time

Job Summary

To create a successful environment that will promote the growth and development of up to 8 children and families. Teacher will maintain on-going contact with families, and work with all other program components (health, nutrition, family services, and mental health) to integrate educational goals and developmentally appropriate practices into the family setting and encourage health and wellbeing of the child by following the guidance of the performance standards. In addition to social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development, teachers also prepare children for a successful transition to the preschool setting.

Essential Functions

• Develops and utilize lesson plans which reflect both mandated elements and parental and cultural influences, promotes the social emotional, physical, and cognitive development of Head Start children through classroom activities and required home visits
• Reviews each child's goals and writes comprehensive individual plans designed to promote current learning and attend to nutritional, health and social/emotional needs. And individualize one-to-one and group activities to reflect the unique needs and strengths of all children in the classroom
• Coordinates with parents to ensure that prenatal, well-child exams, immunizations, health screenings, and nutrition assessments are completed and document necessary follow-ups
• Completes family partnership agreements, developmental screenings and all other required assessments with families in a timely manner
• Works with appropriate agencies and other resources to develop Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP)
• Communicates frequently with Coordinators, other staff and parents; serves as liaison among medical and social services in the community; acts as an advocate for Head Start families and assures quality services
• Adequately ensures a high standard of performance of duties and responsibilities. Commits to the mission and vision of the Early Head Start Program model, and in doing so honors and practices all applicable policies, procedures and protocols to ensure full compliance in the Head Start standards, as put forth
• Participates in regularly scheduled team meetings to plan for and deliver collaborative services across all components as well as trainings, and appropriate professional development activities (may include evenings and weekends)
• Conducts a minimum of two home visit per school year and weekly home visits during the summer with each family. May conduct other home visits for purposes of assessment and support, and to share information on parenting, educational strategies, and classroom progress
• Ensures compliance with Tribal, federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, Tribal policies and TERO ordinance

Working Conditions

Lifting Requirements

• Medium work - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects

Physical Requirements

• Stand or Sit (Stationary position)
• Walk (Move, Traverse)
• Use hands/fingers to handle or feel (Operate, Activate, Use, Prepare, Inspect, Place, Detect, Position)
• Climb (stairs/ladders) or balance (Ascend/Descend, Work atop, Traverse)
• Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl (Position self (to), Move)
• Talk/hear (Communicate, Detect, Converse with, Discern, Convey, Express oneself, Exchange information)
• See (Detect, Determine, Perceive, Identify, Recognize, Judge, Observe, Inspect, Estimate, Assess)
• Taste/Smell (Detect, Distinguish, Determine)
• Pushing or Pulling
• Repetitive Motion

Hazards and Atmospheric Conditions

• Exposure to Dust
• Noise
• Chemical Hazards

OSHA Categories

• Category II - Normal routine involves no exposure to blood, body fluid or tissue, but exposure or potential for exposure may occur

Travel

• Local
• In-State

Qualifications

Education

• Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education is preferred or a combination of education and experience in a related field may be substituted for a degree

Experience

• Three (3) years of experience in child development and early childhood education, adult learning and family dynamics including knowledge of community resources and skills to link families with appropriate agencies and services

Preferred

• Knowledge and experience working with cultural diversities

License/Certification

• Must have a valid Alaska State driver's license and must remain insurable under the Tribe's policy and have own vehicle for home visits
• Must have Pediatric CPR & First Aid certification, or obtain within 90 days
• Must have a current State of Alaska Food Handler's Card, or obtain within 30 days
• Infant/Toddler CDA is required within 18 months of employment

Special Skills

• Must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Must have flexible schedule to accommodate family needs, may include some evening or weekend hours
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Intermediate to advanced computer skills, internet and email
• Ability to interpret and apply program or departmental information or in providing information to others
• Ability to independently organize and prioritize work assignments and coordinate a variety of activities with good attention to detail and ability to deal with conflicting priorities and deadlines
• Required to use considerable judgement in day-to-day situations, research and investigate problems and summarize findings
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail

This position is a Covered Position subject to all requirements of the Alaska Barrier Crimes Act (ABCA) and to the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act, (ICPA). ABCA and ICPA requirements apply and must be complied with at all times in order to remain in the position.