Head Start Teacher Advocate

NeighborImpact•Bend, OR

23h

About The Position

NeighborImpact’s Head Start program provides comprehensive early education and family services to children and families in Central Oregon. The Teacher Advocate fosters the educational development of young children and empowers parents as their primary educators. The role includes planning and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum, maintaining a safe classroom, and providing classroom and in-home instruction guided by the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework to prepare children for school. The Teacher Advocate collaborates with parents to set and achieve individual goals for children, assesses children’s progress, and supports their transition to kindergarten. The position also involves maintaining regular family contact, conducting home visits, and coordinating services that support the overall development and well-being of children and families. The role is located in Bend and is full-time at 40 hours per week, subject to normal school-year furloughs of approximately 12–16 weeks per year based on position and location. The position is union represented. Compensation is $31.92 or $34.47 per hour, depending on education, with an additional $0.50 per hour for bilingual English/Spanish skills.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in early childhood education or a related field, such as human development, child and family studies, social work, sociology/psychology, or education, with at least 35 college quarter credit hours in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related classes; or, in lieu of a degree, Step 9 in the Oregon Registry Online (ORO), equivalent to an AA in ECE. The Step 9 alternative is recognized through December 31, 2025.
Submit diploma, transcripts, and/or certificate with the application to validate the degree, related coursework, or ORO step level.
Complete Teaching Strategies GOLD inter-rater reliability within 90 days of hire and maintain it throughout employment.
Be available for a flexible work schedule to accommodate family needs, which may include some evening or weekend hours.
Meet the role’s physical requirements, including frequent kneeling, stooping, bending, and sitting on the floor; the position is active and occasionally requires lifting 50 pounds.
Be able to ride a school bus with children for assigned periods of time.
Complete an initial health examination and periodic re-examinations as recommended by a health care provider, before hire and throughout employment.
Have a valid driver’s license, proof of current auto insurance, a Food Handler’s Card, current enrollment in the OR Office of Childcare Central Background Registry (CBR), and access to reliable transportation before hire and throughout employment.
Obtain Pediatric CPR/First Aid certification within 60 days of hire and maintain it throughout employment.
Obtain a Family Service Certificate within 18 months of hire if hired after November 6, 2016 and working in a half-day class; maintain required certifications to remain employed.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience as a lead teacher or equivalent in a preschool classroom.
Head Start experience.
Experience in a social services field or home visiting.
Current or past Head Start parent.

Responsibilities

Plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum.
Provide a safe classroom environment for children.
Deliver classroom and in-home instruction focused on the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and school readiness.
Collaborate with parents to set and achieve individual goals for their children.
Assess children’s progress and support their transition to kindergarten.
Maintain regular contact with families and conduct home visits.
Coordinate services to support the development and well-being of children and families.