Early Head Start Teacher

Early Head Start Teacher

Do you want to make a difference in a young child's life? As an Early Head Start Teacher, you will provide active learning by planning and implementing developmentally appropriate, individualized experiences and by creating a safe and nurturing environment in which 0 to 3 year old children can enhance their development and skills. You will also plan and participate in parent education, parent involvement, and family support activities. As an Early Head Start Teacher, you will help build stronger families and brighter tomorrows for our youngest residents of Maricopa County.

Our classrooms are welcoming and designed for interactive learning by children and their families. We offer a low teacher-to-student ratio of 1:4 with 8 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 be part of a compassionate team of early education professionals who believe in the mission of preparing these children for future school success.

As a 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 teaching positions.
• Candidates without the required credentials are encouraged to apply for the Teaching Assistant while they earn their CDA.
• 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 future. Become an Early Head Start Teacher!

The Early Education Division is federally funded to administer center-based Head Start and Early Head Start early care and education programs, along with community resources and referrals, to support economically disadvantaged children in being ready for school and families in achieving self-sufficiency. Currently, classrooms are operated through a mixed service delivery model of full-year, part-year, community, and school-based sites, operated directly by Maricopa County and through contracted Child Care Partnerships.

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 an 11.98% 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
• High school diploma or GED AND
  • Currently possess an Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) credential OR
  • Currently enrolled in a program that will lead to an 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 to be completed within six months of hire

Job Contributions

• Assumes responsibility for the supervision, care, and welfare of the classroom children, ages 0 to 3 years, to ensure their safety and well-being at all times
• Supports and promotes each child's physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language development
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with each family, site team members, community agencies, community partners, and grantee staff members
• Respects and supports the diverse cultural and family backgrounds and treats each child and parent as an individual; respects, values, and facilitates parent participation as equal partners in all aspects of Educational Plans
• Develops and implements a multicultural and age-appropriate child education curriculum and experiences that utilize developmentally appropriate practices, which meet the needs and interests of students and comply with local and federal standards
• Ensures compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations, including the Office of Head Start Performance Standards; Arizona licensing requirements, Child and Adult Care Food Program guidelines, and CACFP record keeping, and County program policies and procedures
• Prepares and maintains accurate records that evaluate ongoing observations of each child's growth and development; these records include child health records, child observation, individualization, lesson plans, attendance, meal counts, parent involvement, family support, and additional items as directed, while maintaining the confidentiality of child, family, and program information
• Completes formal developmental assessments on children with finalization/analysis and works with parents to develop an Education Plan based on these assessment results
• Participates in the development and implementation of Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP) for children with disabilities and plans classroom experiences to support the IFSP plan
• Carries out authorized emergency and safety procedures and administers first aid and/or CPR in the classroom as needed

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 a full-year schedule that is typically comprised of 2,088 hours annually, with Birth to Five site classrooms operating Monday through Friday
• Ability to stand, sit on the floor, be indoors/outdoors for extended periods, and lift up to 40 pounds
• Ability to read, write, and speak Spanish may be required for some positions
• Must have reliable transportation and 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
• Arizona Department of Public Safety Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card is 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.