Head Start Instructor (Continuous)

City of Oakland • Oakland, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Oakland's Human Services Department, Head Start Division, is seeking highly skilled individuals to join their team as Head Start Instructors. This role involves providing instructional duties for children enrolled in the Head Start Program/State Preschool Program, working collaboratively with teachers, family members, and staff to achieve positive outcomes for children of all abilities. The ideal candidate is a passionate educator who wants to make a positive difference in the lives of Oakland children and families, enjoys planning developmentally age-appropriate activities, is a strong relationship builder with good communication skills, and has a genuine interest in professional development within early childhood education.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in Early Childhood Education or related field including twelve (12) post-secondary semester units or equivalent quarter units in early childhood education or child development, plus three (3) units supervised field experience in ECE/CD setting completed at an accredited or approved college or university.
• Hold, or qualify for, a Master Teacher Child Development Permit (or higher-level permit) issued by the State of California.
• Six months of full-time work experience or one year of part-time experience in a licensed childcare center or comparable group childcare program.
• Ability to respond positively to change and modify behavior as the situation requires.
• Ability to establish rapport and maintain mutually productive relationships.
• Ability to choose optimal courses of action.
• Ability to hold self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
• Ability to use strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and coordination.
• Ability to manage interpersonally strained situations.
• Ability to maintain emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity.
• Ability to engage effectively in dialogue.
• Ability to apply technical subject matter to the job.
• Ability to understand and use written information.
• Ability to collaborate with others to achieve shared goals.
• Ability to work with electronic hardware and software applications.
• Ability to appreciate the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
• Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment.
• All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin.

Responsibilities

• Instructing children in infant/toddler education concepts.
• Organizing and setting up developmentally appropriate education and play materials for the classroom and/or the home.
• Conducting fire, disaster, and safety drills in the classroom; inspecting facility for safety standards and maintenance needs.
• Assisting in planning, organizing, and scheduling daily activities at the center classroom or in the home.
• Conducting developmental screenings, ongoing child observations, developmental assessments and devising Individual Development Plans (IDP) on all children enrolled in the program; assisting in developing Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP) for special needs children.
• Maintaining a clean and organized indoor and outdoor environment, including the food service area.
• Making initial and final home visits; making additional/on-going home visits as needed.

Benefits

• 15 paid holidays
• Vacation – 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
• Retirement – CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members.
• Health – The City of Oakland pays for the cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care and other HMO and PPO plans
• Dental – The City of Oakland pays for Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Vision – The City of Oakland pays for VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Sick leave – Employees accrue 12 days per year
• Deferred Compensation – 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Life Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Training
• Telecommuting

What This Job Offers

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