EHS Advocate IV

Job Description

Job Description

Organizational Summary

Maternity Care Coalition (MCC) is a community-based nonprofit organization serving Pennsylvania and Delaware with over four decades of commitment to improving maternal and child health and early care and education. MCC’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of pregnant women and parenting families and enhance school readiness for children ages 0-3. We achieve this through direct service, advocacy, and research, in collaboration with individuals, families, providers, and communities. We envision a future where parents impacted by racial and social inequities can birth with dignity, parent with autonomy, and raise babies who are healthy, growing, and thriving.

Position Summary

The Early Head Start Teacher develops early learning-focused, developmentally appropriate, and curriculum-based lesson plans for infants and toddlers in classroom settings. Teachers implement the curriculum with fidelity, following the Head Start Performance Standards and integrating the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework into their teaching. Teachers address the individual needs of children in their care and provide nurturing, language-rich, and engaging learning experiences. Teachers provide and model high-quality interactions, promote the families' ability to support children’s health improvement, social empowerment, and development towards school readiness, and encourage parent participation in all classroom activities.

Core Functional Responsibilities

• Obtains and maintains all required credentials and certifications, such as but not limited to Infant / Toddler CDA credential (if applicable) and First Aid / CPR license.
• Attends orientation and ongoing training sessions on child health and welfare, early learning, child abuse, nutrition, parenting, infant development, family support issues, and other training as assigned or recommended by their supervisor or other service area Coordinator.
• Maintains ratios in classrooms and ensures the safety of the children at all times.
• Maintains the cleanliness and safety of the classroom, Gross Motor Room, and Playground furniture, equipment, and materials.
• Communicates with the children in a culturally sensitive and respectful manner.
• Plans weekly lessons using the Early Learning Outcomes Framework, that include activities to support the child’s individual learning and progress towards school readiness
• Engages children in age and developmentally appropriate activities
• Assists with meal preparation in the classroom and participates in family-style meal service.
• Communicates daily with parents and staff regarding educational strengths and/or concerns of enrolled children as needed.
• Utilizes a professional, culturally sensitive, and respectful approach when addressing parents at all times and during all types of communication.
• Conducts children’s assessments and screenings to determine strengths and areas of need on a timely basis (according to EHS Performance Standards) and uses this information to set goals in collaboration with the family.
• Records daily attendance, all feedings, naps, elimination habits, and daily observations.
• Conducts bi-annual home visits and parent/teacher conferences, and additional as needed.
• Routinely uses case management databases (Child Plus, SharePoint, TS Gold) and other systems, including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Encourages parent participation in all EHS events such as parent meetings, trainings, policy council meetings, parent orientations, and volunteering opportunities.
• Assists in organizing special events.
• Meets with supervisor regularly and on a monthly basis to discuss children’s progress.

Supporting Responsibilities

• Adheres to the MCC’s security and HIPAA guidelines and ensures the appropriate handling of family sensitive information
• Adheres to MCC’s Standard Operating Procedures
• Adheres to EHS program requirements and Head Start Performance Standards
• Attends staff meetings including agency-wide townhalls, department, and team meetings, to promote communication and execution of agency goals
• Other duties as assigned within the scope of position expectations

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Understanding of MCC’s mission, vision, core values, goals, and objectives.
• Knowledge of the concepts and practices associated with early childhood education and child development issues
• Ability to travel in and around MCC’s service areas (Pennsylvania – Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties)
• Ability to work with parents in the community and other volunteers
• Understanding of diverse family dynamics and cultural differences with the ability to work with and empower families
• Knowledge of and sensitive to the issues facing the community served.
• Knowledge of classroom management procedures.
• Strong interpersonal skills as demonstrated by compassionate, courteous, cordial, cooperative, and professional interaction with diverse groups of co-workers, families, and members of the community.
• Ability to work independently with a high level of energy and contribute as part of a larger team.
• Ability to effectively and accurately write lesson plans and document observations and daily schedules.
• Ability to operate a computer and use a variety of common software programs including Microsoft Office, spreadsheets, and customized databases.

Other Position Factors

The other position factors described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential tasks of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Maternity Care Coalition operates as a hybrid organization. The assigned work arrangement for this position may include a combination of remote and onsite work and will be determined based on operational needs, role responsibilities, and performance. Work arrangement expectations may be modified over time to meet organizational or programmatic requirements. Staff working remotely are responsible for maintaining a safe and appropriate workspace.

• Ability to engage in extended periods of sitting, computer work, and sustained concentration to complete financial analysis, reporting, and related tasks.
• Ability to occasionally bend, reach, lift, carry, push, or pull training materials or equipment, generally not exceeding 30 pounds.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license issued by the state of residence and the ability to successfully pass a motor vehicle record check, where driving is an essential function of the role.
• Ability to travel occasionally to attend conferences, seminars, and professional meetings.
• Ability to work non‑traditional hours on an occasional basis based on operational needs.
• Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of required post‑offer pre‑employment background clearances, as well as any additional post‑hire background, compliance, or programmatic clearances required by the organization, funders, or applicable regulations.

Experience

• Six months + experience working in a classroom setting with children ages birth to three years old required
• Knowledge and experience with child development and early childhood education required
• Bi-lingual candidates who fluently read, write, and speak other languages in addition to English, are preferred

Education

Early Head Start Teacher IV requires at least one of the following credentials:

• Infant-Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) credential
• AA /BA/MA in ECE/Infant and Toddler Studies/Family, Child Studies/Child Development
• AA/BA/MA in related field (Sociology, Psychology, Social Work, Human Services, Family Studies, Elementary Education, or Special Education/ Early Intervention)