Associate Teacher - Head Start & Early Head Start

For more information about this role and the program it supports, visit our website at: https://mhccheadstart.org/

Please note:

Location: We are hiring for positions at our Head Start locations in East Portland, Gresham & surrounding areas.

We are hiring for multiple vacancies and applications will be reviewed as they are submitted.

FTE: 0.95, 0.80, and 0.75

Job Summary

Assists with the planning and conducting of an educational program, and develops strong nurturing relationships with children and families and quality partnerships that encourage family engagement in their child’s learning. Provides children with a developmentally appropriate learning environment in preparation for school success.  Meets performance standards, and follows the agency licensing policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.

Job Summary and Responsibilities/Duties

Job Summary

Assists with the planning and conducting of an educational program, and develops strong nurturing relationships with children and families and quality partnerships that encourage family engagement in their child’s learning. Provides children with a developmentally appropriate learning environment in preparation for school success.  Meets performance standards, and follows the agency licensing policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.

Essential Job Duties 

Assists with the planning and conducting of the educational program and weekly curriculum. Works directly with children individually and in small and large groups.

Participates in the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) process for children with special needs, and assists with implementing IFSP goals.

Supports daily observations. Assists with taking notes, videos, and enters data as needed.

Maintains accurate and timely written and electronic records and reports (i.e., meal counts, staff sign in, child attendance, etc.).

Provides assistance with developmental screening and assessments for children. 

Develops partnerships with parents in regards to their child/children.

Attends and participates in staff meetings, planning meetings, classroom team debriefings, and training.

Additional Duties

Administers medications, and diapers as needed.

Assists teachers with conduction of home visits and family conferences as appropriate.

Assists in general upkeep of center facilities, equipment, and materials.

Participates in regular training and technical assistance activities.

Rides school bus as needed.

Represents agency on various committees and projects as directed. 

Performs other related duties as assigned

Minimum and Desired Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Education: 
A Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential (Infant/Toddler; Preschool) 

OR  An Infant/Toddler Professional Credential through Oregon Center for Career Development 

OR Step 7 or higher in the Oregon Registry

OR Be enrolled in a program to complete a CDA or equivalent within two (2) years of hire

Experience/Training:

Minimum (1) year of experience working with children age birth to (5) years 

Minimum (6) months of experience working within an early childhood and/or elementary classroom

Experience working with diverse backgrounds of the College’s community, students and employees; demonstrated commitment to promoting access and diversity 

Additional Qualifications and/or Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

Additional Qualifications

Must be enrolled in the Oregon Central Background Registry prior to beginning employment and enrollment must be maintained throughout employment

Post-offer fitness for duty evaluation, must be obtained within 30 days of hire date: 

1. TB screening
2. Health appraisal

Complete required Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) licensing within 30 days of hire

Must possess or obtain current Infant/Child First Aid/CPR certification within 60 days of hire

Must possess or obtain Food Handlers Certificate within 30 days of hire

Must be able to works occasional evening hours as needed (i.e., parent meetings, home visits, etc.)

Skills in:

Excellent inter-personal, verbal and written communication skills

Leadership and staff training

Organizational skills

Ability to:

Apply the understanding of developmentally appropriate activities of children

Meet and promote the social-emotional, physical and cognitive development needs of children

Provide and model best practices in ECE and to facilitate team development

Problem-solve

Multi-task

Make sound judgments and demonstrate appropriate role modeling

Maintain full attention and awareness of children at all times

Work as a team member and to be self-directed.

Knowledge of:

Working Conditions and Important Information 

Physical Requirements: Ability to lift/carry up to 50lbs a distance of 10 feet. Ability to push/pull up to 50lbs. a distance of 10 yards Sufficient mobility and range of motion to perform repetitive standing, walking, balancing, stooping, bending, crouching, crawling, sitting on the floor, reaching, squatting, kneeling, and twisting for up to 8 hours per day. Sufficient stamina to perform job duties at frequency required. Ability to react quickly to the physical actions of children. Sufficient vision and hearing to perform job duties. Sufficient manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination to perform job duties.

Exposure to Hazards: Unpredictable child and family behavior, hazardous chemicals, contagious conditions, work with office equipment. Driving and riding in motor vehicles. Working conditions include indoor/outdoor environments, preschool center classrooms, playgrounds, offices, frequent local and occasional out-of-town travel.

Salary Placement

Initial salary placement will be based on applicable education and/or years of relevant full-time equivalent experience at the sole discretion of the College, per the guidelines in the Collective Bargaining Agreement and in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws. Please include all relevant education and full and part-time experience (including unpaid and volunteer experience) in your application that you want the College to review towards potential placement. Hired employees will not have an opportunity to update past education and/or experience or appeal initial placement after the time of hire.

Associate Teacher I - $19.56-$20.63 Per Hour - Infant/Toddler CDA
Associate Teacher II - $20.55-$21.69 Per Hour - Associate's Degree