Preschool Teacher

Easterseals Southern California•San Marcos, CA

9d•$22 - $31

About The Position

Under direct supervision, plans, implements, and evaluates a developmentally appropriate and inclusive educational curriculum for children enrolled in the Early Head Start/Head Start program. Serves as an educator for assigned children throughout their enrollment, supporting primary caregiving and children’s personal care, safety, and visual supervision. The role includes conducting home visits and parent conferences, creating individual child goals with parent input, maintaining lesson plans and child records, and completing screenings and assessments on schedule. The teacher also coordinates classroom meetings and parent education and training, including support for pregnant women on prenatal education, breastfeeding, and health resources. The position requires participation in staff, parent, and training meetings, and may include other duties as assigned. The posted hiring ranges are $22–$26 per hour for an Associate Teacher Permit with a high school diploma, $24–$28 per hour with an associate degree, and $26–$31.25 per hour with a bachelor’s degree, depending on experience. Candidates with relevant Infant and Toddler units may be eligible for additional compensation. A $2,000 hiring bonus is offered.

Requirements

High school diploma or national equivalent.
Possess and maintain a Child Development Associate Teacher Permit and meet ongoing educational requirements for the permit/CDA.
Possess and maintain a current pediatric (infant/toddler) CPR and first aid certificate.
Possess a food handler’s certificate.
Teaching experience in a preschool or infant/toddler classroom, including 50 days of at least 3 hours per day within a 2-year period.
Training and experience necessary to develop consistent, stable, and supportive relationships with very young children.
Ability to develop knowledge of infant and toddler development and safety issues in infant and toddler care settings, including reducing SIDS risk.
Complete California-mandated Child Abuse Reporter Training and Pesticide Safety Training before beginning work.
Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office applications such as Outlook, Excel, and Skype.
Ability to interpret and implement applicable California Department of Education regulations and funding terms, Department of Social Services and Community Care Licensing requirements, Head Start Performance Standards, and organizational policies and procedures.
Effective oral and written communication skills and ability to work cooperatively with varied individuals and groups, relate well to children and families, and maintain a positive affect.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, plan, and establish and meet timelines.
Ability to stand for extended periods; lift 40 pounds continuously; reach, bend, stoop, and squat; and use fine manual dexterity.
Ability to push and pull, talk and hear, and use near and far visual acuity, depth perception, color vision, and field of vision.
Ability to pass a post-offer physical examination and TB test.
Ability to provide current immunizations required by the State of California for child development centers and staff.
Ability to obtain and maintain criminal record and fingerprint clearance from the Department of Justice and FBI, and sex offender index clearance.
Ability to perform occasional carrying/lifting of 0–30 pounds, occasional standing and walking up to 3 hours per day, and constant sitting up to 8 hours per day.
Ability to perform repetitive keyboard activity, telephone use, and writing, and view a computer monitor and read newsprint.
Ability to work in tasks involving exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues.

Responsibilities

Educate and care for assigned children throughout their enrollment in the program, including supporting personal care, safety, and visual supervision.
Plan, implement, and supervise developmentally appropriate, inclusive curricula in accordance with Head Start standards, applicable policies, and organizational standards of conduct.
Conduct home visits and parent conferences within required timelines.
Create and implement individual child goals with parent input.
Maintain weekly lesson plans, progress and anecdotal notes, and current paperwork.
Complete child screenings and assessments within required timeframes.
Coordinate and conduct bi-monthly classroom unit meetings.
Provide input in evaluations of volunteers and college interns.
Participate in staff meetings, parent meetings, and in-service training.
Participate in planning associate and parent training activities, meetings, and workshops.
Coordinate parent education, training, and support for pregnant women, including prenatal education, breastfeeding information, and health resources.
Perform other duties as assigned.