Head Start Teacher

Head Start Teacher

Do you want to make a difference in a child's life? As a Head Start Teacher, you will promote active learning in a preschool classroom by planning and implementing developmentally appropriate, individualized experiences and creating a safe and nurturing environment for children. We will count on you to use cognitive-developmental approaches to enhance the students' language and literacy skills. As a Head Start Teacher, you will also have the opportunity to plan and participate in parent education, parent engagement, and family support activities.

Our classrooms are welcoming and designed for interactive learning by children and their families. We offer a low teacher-to-student ratio of 1:10 with 20 students per classroom, to provide the greatest opportunity for a healthy and effective learning environment. Did we mention the County provides the supplies needed to support our teaching staff? We also offer the opportunity to join a compassionate team of early education professionals who believe in the mission to prepare these children for future school success.

As a Head Start Teacher, you will be excited to learn about other added benefits, including:

• Paid continuing education, professional development, and tuition reimbursement
• Paid Child Development Association Certification (CDA) that you can earn on the job! With this certification, you can grow in your Head Start career by advancing into our teaching positions.
• Candidates without the required credentials are encouraged to apply for the Teaching Assistant while they earn their CDA.
• Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance card and renewal paid for by Maricopa County
• Amazing health and wellness programs, including pet insurance! Our health insurance plans are more than competitive, with the option to earn a wellness incentive payback of $60 per month
• Free Office of Head Start membership

Be the spark that lights our children's path to success, and become a Head Start Teacher!

The Early Education Division is dedicated to ensuring children have the knowledge and skills to be successful in school and life through service delivery to children and families in core areas of early learning, health, and family well-being while engaging parents as partners every step of the way. Head Start encompasses Head Start preschool programs, which primarily serve 3- and 4-year-old children, and Early Head Start programs for infants, toddlers, and pregnant women.

The Maricopa County Human Services Department (HSD) builds resiliency in the community and promotes the well-being of County residents experiencing adversity through a variety of programs and services to help people and families thrive. These opportunities include early childhood education, housing, homeownership, independent living services for seniors and adults with disabilities, career development for job seekers with barriers to employment, crisis rental and utility assistance, and support for people experiencing homelessness. HSD is committed to delivering innovative and comprehensive services in a collaborative approach that preserves dignity, promotes respect, and facilitates social and economic mobility.

In 2025, the Human Services Department was the proud recipient of 23 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo), highlighting the Department's commitment to providing support for low-income and at-risk communities. Maricopa County Human Services was honored for a wide variety of programs showcasing their valuable work including Regional Solutions to Homelessness in Rural and Underserved Communities, Pathway to Rapid Reemployment, Tonopah Fire Station Improvements, Refugee Relocation Assistance Program, Early Education Division's EVIT Expanded Partnership, and several other initiatives.

Join our team and unlock your potential!

Proud to Offer

• Work with a greater purpose
• Exceptional work-life balance
• Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County
• Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents
• Child care benefits, including access to our on-site center, Maricopa County Kids Club, dedicated to serving Maricopa County families
• Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
• Extensive wellness program, including an incentive
• Enrollment in the Arizona State Retirement System, a defined retirement benefit requiring a 12% per paycheck contribution rate that includes a 100% employer match on Day 1

We Require

• One year of experience teaching in a licensed childcare or public pre-kindergarten setting
• Associate's degree or higher in early childhood education, child development, or an equivalent college degree with 18 credits in early childhood education, child development, or infant/toddler development

We Also Value

• Bilingual skills in English and Spanish
• Experience as a former or current Head Start parent

Job Contributions

• Assumes responsibility for the supervision, care, and welfare of the classroom children, to ensure their safety and well-being at all times
• Develops, organizes, and implements age-appropriate child education curriculum
• Plans classroom experiences that meet different developmental stages, interests, temperaments, learning styles, languages, and cultural backgrounds
• Develops and implements a multicultural curriculum that utilizes developmentally appropriate practices that meet the needs and interests of students
• Ensures compliance with all federal, state, and Office of Head Start Performance Standards regulations, Arizona licensing requirements, and program policies and procedures
• Respects, values, and supports each child and family background, and facilitates parent participation as equal partners in all aspects of the Educational Plans
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with each family, site team members, community agencies, community partners, and grantee staff members
• Assists with the recruitment and enrollment of children and families into the Maricopa County EED Program
• Ensures the classroom environment is safe, clean, orderly, and facilitates growth, development, and learning
• Assists with maintaining daily communication with parents and assists in conducting a minimum of two educational home visits and two parent/teacher conferences per family each program year
• Assists in the planning of child transitions into Head Start and out of Head Start to kindergarten

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in a classroom, playground, and office environment as assigned and is subject to change based on the program's needs
• Position may have possible exposure to bodily fluids and infectious diseases
• Position follows either a full-year (213 days) or a partial-year (165 days) schedule, with Birth to Five site classrooms operating Monday through Friday
• If position is a contracted position, it will follow a part-year 10-month work schedule, that is from 7:30 am – 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday
• Ability to stand, sit on the floor, be indoors/outdoors for extended periods, and lift up to 40 pounds
• May be required to fill in as a substitute staff member at another program site
• Ability to travel to and from job-related locations during a scheduled workday, subject to County policies regarding the use of a County or private vehicle used on County business
• Valid Arizona driver's license is required upon hire
• Background check and Arizona Department of Public Safety Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card are required upon hire
• Must complete a medical exam that includes screening for tuberculosis (TB) upon hire
• Must obtain a CPR, first aid, and food handler's certification within six weeks of hire

Selection Procedure

• Consideration will only be given to candidates who submit online applications
• Candidates will be contacted primarily through email and their Workday online application profile
• Must pass a pre-employment background and/or fingerprint investigation as required by statute or policy, including drug and alcohol testing requirements for positions designated as safety-sensitive

Maricopa County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process or to perform the essential functions of the position under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact View email address on click.appcast.io to initiate the interactive process.