Head Start Teacher/Center Director

Job Description

Job Description

Full-time - 37.5 hours per week / 43 Weeks Per Year

Monday through Friday – 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Pay Rate: $22.50 - $32.02

Grade 16

ABOUT THE POSITION:

Join Our Team of Exceptional Early Childhood Educators!

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Head Start Teacher / Center Director to lead and support high-quality early childhood education services for children and families. This dual-role position combines classroom instruction with program leadership, ensuring compliance with Head Start Performance Standards while fostering a nurturing, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate learning environment.

About Oswego County Opportunities

Ranking among Oswego County's top ten largest private employers, OCO carries out its mission to inspire partnerships and provide services that empower people, support communities, and change lives through more than 50 programs serving 15,000 people each year.

OCO's Employee benefits include:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance (available to Full-Time staff)
• Paid leave (sick leave, PTO, holidays, etc.)
• 403B Deferred Annuity Retirement Plan
• Term Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program

JOB SUMMARY:

Responsible for implementing the established curriculum and designing classroom activities which foster early literacy, social, emotional and intellectual skills appropriate to the children's developmental level. Supervises classroom and other staff as assigned. Holds the designation of OCFS Center Director and ensures the requirements of Day Care Licensing. Carries out responsibilities according to Federal and State regulations as well as Agency Policies and Procedures.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Classroom Teaching Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops, directs and supervises daily classroom activities; ensures a safe, healthy and supportive environment.
• Maintains the classroom according to the Head Start Performance Standards and Day Care Licensing regulations.
• Provides direct supervision of teaching staff, volunteers and other assigned workers; works collaboratively with supervisor and HS Policy Council on hiring and firing recommendations/activities.
• Conducts new staff orientation and annual center orientation; arranges substitute coverage notifies supervisor.
• Plans appropriate classroom activities for children implementing the High/Scope curriculum and supervisor’s recommendations; incorporates ideas of other classroom staff in weekly plans.
• Identifies children's individual developmental needs, interests and abilities through assessment with monthly observations using the High/Scope Curriculum technique; records and reports child outcome data.
• Completes MAT training and administers medication according to policy as needed.
• Conducts home visits and parent/staff conferences per assigned schedule; completes/oversees weekly head checks.
• Attends staff meetings, professional meetings, conferences and training sessions for skill maintenance and enhancement.
• Assists with general center maintenance; (supervises assigned Maintenance Helper, HS buildings only).
• Establishes and maintains relationships with school district personnel and childcare community.
• Conducts required screenings; completes the referral process and coordinates with service providers in implementing the IEP and tracks and monitors special services providers; participates in case review meetings as scheduled.
• Works collaboratively and shares information; participates in decision making with Coordinators and other staff.
• Participates in agency work groups, committees and community events.
• Attends CPSE meetings as required; attends and participates in evening training/orientation sessions as required.
• Completes and submits data/paperwork timely and accurately; handles petty cash and documentation for the center/classroom.

Center Director Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the safe environment of the building, playground and surrounding areas; takes the lead on all building issues, schedules inspections, service vendors and ensures compliance with regulations.
• Works directly with the licensing representative during inspections/renewals ; ensures all Day Care Licensing compliance issues are resolved and corrective action is implemented at the center level; carries name/reputation on the license and the OCFS Day Care Center Facility Information Web Site (infractions listed for a two-year period).
• Acts as liaison for important center and staff related paperwork and building concerns; oversees licensing packets, staff fingerprint/background check results and center inspections. Keeps site copies and forwards originals to Administrative Office timely.
• Assists with gathering required information for licensing new classrooms, renewals or changes including floor plans.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Must become familiar with the performance standards of Head Start, Child Outcomes Framework and Day Care Licensing.
• Must have a desire and ability to work with low-income children and families and have a thorough understanding of Early Childhood philosophy and the principles of inclusion for children with special needs.
• Must exhibit professionalism, good judgment, flexibility and be organized.
• Must be able to work with others in a warm, professional manner and be a positive role model to staff, children and parents.
• Must be able to plan and direct the work of others, be creative in classroom activities for children and families and foster a team approach classroom environment.
• Must have knowledge of public services and resources.
• Must have good communication skills and be able to follow complex oral and written directions.
• Must possess valid NYS Driver's License with record within agency policy and have access to a reliable vehicle for travel and transporting children.
• Must have acceptable physical and mental health to carry out the responsibilities of the position including lifting and participating in activities with children at their level; must be able to work a flexible schedule to meet program needs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 12 credits Early Childhood Education with one related experience teaching preschool children and one year supervising staff; or
• (For existing staff as of 7/09: Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood with approved plan of study toward Bachelor’s Degree from OCFS and two years experience teaching preschool children and two years supervising staff.)

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Oswego County Opportunities, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, creed, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.