Head Start Floater Teacher

Maricopa County • Mesa, AZ

1d • $40,000 - $59,800 • Onsite

About The Position

Do you want to make a difference in a child’s life? As a Head Start Floater Teacher, you will promote active learning in a preschool classroom by planning and implementing developmentally appropriate, individualized experiences and creating a safe and nurturing environment for children. We will count on you to use cognitive-developmental approaches to enhance the students’ language and literacy skills. As a Head Start Floater Teacher, you will also have the opportunity to plan and participate in parent education, parent engagement, and family support activities. Our classrooms are welcoming and designed for interactive learning by children and their families. We offer a low teacher-to-student ratio of 1:10 with 20 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 join a compassionate team of early education professionals who believe in the mission to prepare these children for future school success. As a Head Start Floater 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 our teaching positions. Candidates without the required credentials are encouraged to apply for the Teaching Assistant while they earn their CDA. Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance card and renewal paid for by Maricopa County 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 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ohs membership Be the spark that lights our children’s path to success, and become a Head Start Floater Teacher! The Early Education Division is dedicated to ensuring children have the knowledge and skills to be successful in school and life through service delivery to children and families in core areas of early learning, health, and family well-being while engaging parents as partners every step of the way. Head Start encompasses Head Start preschool programs, which primarily serve 3- and 4-year-old children, and Early Head Start programs for infants, toddlers, and pregnant women. About Us 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!

Requirements

• One year of experience teaching in a licensed childcare or public pre-kindergarten setting
• 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
• Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance card and renewal paid for by Maricopa County
• Valid Arizona driver’s license 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
• Background check and Arizona Department of Public Safety Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card are required upon hire

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual skills in English and Spanish
• Experience as a former or current Head Start parent

Responsibilities

• Assumes responsibility for the supervision, care, and welfare of the classroom children, to ensure their safety and well-being at all times
• Develops, organizes, and implements age-appropriate child education curriculum
• Plans classroom experiences that meet different developmental stages, interests, temperaments, learning styles, languages, and cultural backgrounds
• Develops and implements a multicultural curriculum that utilizes developmentally appropriate practices that meet the needs and interests of students
• Ensures compliance with all federal, state, and Office of Head Start Performance Standards regulations, Arizona licensing requirements, and program policies and procedures
• Respects, values, and supports each child and family background, and facilitates parent participation as equal partners in all aspects of the 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
• Ensures the classroom environment is safe, clean, orderly, and facilitates growth, development, and learning
• 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
• Assists in the planning of child transitions into Head Start and out of Head Start to kindergarten

Benefits

• Paid continuing education
• Professional development
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid Child Development Association Certification (CDA)
• Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance card and renewal paid for by Maricopa County
• Health and wellness programs
• Pet insurance
• Wellness incentive payback of $60 per month
• Free Office of Head Start membership
• Paid vacation
• Sick time
• Parental leave
• Enrollment in the Arizona State Retirement System, a defined retirement benefit requiring a 12% per paycheck contribution rate that includes a 100% employer match on Day 1

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree