Early Head Start Infant/Toddler Lead Teacher (CB)

The Opportunity Alliance • Portland, ME

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Opportunity Alliance is seeking an Early Head Start Lead Teacher for an infant/toddler classroom. The role joins the Head Start team, which promotes school readiness for young children from low-income families through high-quality, culturally appropriate early care and education. Classrooms use a responsive curriculum focused on social-emotional well-being and maintain low teacher-to-child ratios to support children's growth and learning. The program engages families meaningfully in their children’s education and care, and supports staff professional goals through ongoing supervision, coaching, and training.

The Lead Teacher is responsible for providing and overseeing a safe, nurturing, and stimulating learning environment, primarily in a center-based classroom, and supporting the overall growth and development of children and families. Work must follow the Family and Early Childhood Education program plan, Head Start Performance Standards, State of Maine licensing rules, and NAEYC Accreditation Standards. The schedule is full-time, 40 hours per week, year-round, in Portland, Maine. Driving may be necessary to attend meetings and trainings, but is not a primary or essential job responsibility.

Requirements

• Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.
• Training or equivalent coursework in early childhood development, with a focus on infant and toddler development.
• Knowledge of the important role culture plays in child and family development.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with complex information to address challenging situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with teams.
• Commitment to social justice and the mission of Head Start.
• Successfully pass criminal background, child protective service, and sex offender checks.
• Must not be on a state or federal suspension and disbarment list.
• If MHRT is required for the position, pass the CNA registry check.
• Pass a pre-employment physical and TB screen.
• Be current on MMR and TDAP immunizations.
• Ability to exert significant physical effort, including frequent standing, walking, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, and typing, and frequently lift and carry small children or materials weighing up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• An associate, baccalaureate, or advanced degree in early childhood education; or an associate degree in a field related to early childhood education and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education; or a baccalaureate or advanced degree in any field and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education.
• 1–3 years of supervisory experience.
• 2–4 years of center-based teaching, early intervention, home visiting, or community-based work related to infants/toddlers and their families.

Responsibilities

• Provide and oversee a safe, nurturing, and stimulating learning environment, primarily in a center-based infant/toddler classroom.
• Support the overall growth and development of children and families in accordance with the Family and Early Childhood Education program plan, Head Start Performance Standards, State of Maine licensing rules, and NAEYC Accreditation Standards.
• Attend meetings and trainings that may require driving.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off accrual.
• 9 paid holidays per calendar year and up to 3 floating holidays per calendar year.
• Medical benefits at reasonable cost.
• Dental and vision insurance options.
• Agency-paid basic life insurance and short- and long-term disability insurance.
• 403(b) retirement plan with an agency match; all employees are eligible.
• Tuition reimbursement offered once per year through an application process.
• Qualified employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed