Head Start Floater Teacher

Maricopa County • Mesa, AZ

5d

About The Position

The Head Start Floater Teacher is a collaborative Maricopa County Early Education Division (EED) member. The Head Start Floater Teacher promotes active learning in the preschool classroom by implementing developmentally appropriate, individualized experiences. They will assist in creating a safe and nurturing environment in which 3-year-old to 5-year-old children can enhance their skills in language and literacy, cognitive development, approaches to learning, physical development, social-emotional development, and development of age-appropriate social and self-help skills. This position will support any Head Start classroom as needed and report to various worksites throughout their assigned area as requested by the supervisor.

Requirements

• Six months of experience teaching in a licensed childcare or pre-k setting
• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or equivalent post-secondary degree which includes 18 credits in early childhood education and/or child development
• Completion of supervised student teaching in an early childhood setting may substitute for the teaching experience requirement
• Must possess or have the ability to obtain a valid Arizona driver’s license by the time of hire
• Must secure a Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card through the Arizona Department of Public Safety
• Must complete a medical exam that includes screening for tuberculosis (TB)
• Must obtain a CPR, first aid, and food handler’s certification within six weeks of hire

Nice To Haves

• One year of experience teaching in a licensed childcare or pre-k setting
• Bilingual in English/Spanish
• Preference is given to current or former Early Head Start and Head Start parents

Responsibilities

• Assist in implementing a responsive and evidence-based curriculum, classroom environment
• Utilizes developmentally appropriate practices that meet the needs and interests of children and Head Start Program Performance Standards
• Ensure compliance with all Federal, State, and Head Start regulations and licensing requirements and program policies and procedures
• Respects and supports the diverse cultural and family backgrounds, treating each child and parent as an individual.
• Respects, values and facilitates parent participation as equal partners in all aspects of 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
• Assumes responsibility for the care and welfare of the classroom children and is responsible for supervising all children at all times to ensure their safety and well-being
• Ensures the classroom environment is safe, clean, orderly, and facilitates growth, development, and learning
• Assists in the preparation and maintenance of accurate records that evaluate ongoing observations of each child’s growth and development while maintaining the confidentiality of child, family and programming information
• Supports and promotes each child’s physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language development
• Assists in the completion of weekly observations on children to monitor and document children’s developmental progress
• Assists in the completion of formal developmental assessments on children at least three times per year
• Supports the implementation of Individual Education Plans (IEP’s) for children with disabilities & plans classroom experiences to support the IEP plan
• 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
• Understands Early Education Division and Maricopa County policies and supports the philosophy of Maricopa County Human Services Department and the EED in the implementation of performance standards, as identified in division goals, program policies and procedures
• Assists with and/or completes family service follow-up, documentation, reports and evaluations as required by State or Federal regulations, State child care licensing requirements and supervisors
• Assists in the planning of and participates in monthly parent committee meetings and promotes parent volunteer experiences in the classroom
• Assists in the planning of child transitions into Head Start and out of Head Start to kindergarten
• Complies with all Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) guidelines and CACFP record-keeping
• Administers First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), as required

Benefits

• Tuition reimbursement
• 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 exclusively
• Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
• Extensive wellness program, including healthcare premium discounts
• Maricopa County participates in the Arizona State Retirement System. This defined retirement benefit requires a 12% monthly contribution rate and includes a 100% employer match on Day 1

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level