Relief Nursery Teacher

Lutheran Community Services Northwest•Klamath Falls, OR

About The Position

Lutheran Community Services NW is a nonprofit organization serving communities throughout Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. The Relief Nursery Teacher supports the organization’s mission by working with children ages 2–4 and their families. The role manages a caseload of 5–8 families, co-plans and implements developmentally appropriate and therapeutic curriculum for a classroom of 8–11 children, monitors child development and family functioning, conducts at least monthly home visits, and maintains accurate records. Two staff members manage each classroom and share responsibility for all classroom functions. Approximately 65% of the role is direct service, 30% documentation, and 5% other duties. The position involves classroom care and preparation, family support and advocacy, parent communication, referrals to community resources, and collaboration with community organizations. It requires professional, courteous, and confidential communication with families, colleagues, and the public, along with sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic differences and strict adherence to HIPAA standards. The teacher also attends meetings and training as requested, supports fundraising and awareness activities for the Relief Nursery in Klamath County, and completes other assigned duties.

Requirements

Two years of experience in an early childhood program working with children and families, including home visitation duties.
Ability to read, write, and understand directions, and to write memos and other correspondence.
Excellent English communication skills, including the ability to present information and respond to questions from employees, clients, and the public.
Current clearance from the Central Background Registry.
Current First Aid certification, CPR card, Food Handler’s Card, and annual Mandatory Reporter/Child Abuse and Neglect training.
Current driver’s license, auto insurance, and access to a vehicle; motor vehicle records and standard LCSNW criminal clearance, including national sex offender clearance, are required.
Ability to work effectively with data, independently, and as part of a team.
Ability to adapt, work effectively under pressure, and work with adults experiencing varied stresses and challenges, including cognitive delays, chemical dependency, or mental illness.
Comprehensive knowledge of indicators and effects of child maltreatment, abuse, and neglect; nutrition, health, safety, special needs, generational poverty, the needs of low-income families, and community and county resources.
Knowledge of early childhood development from birth to six years, curriculum development and implementation, positive discipline, and early childhood learning strategies.
Good stress-management, self-care, active-listening, analytical, and conflict-resolution skills.
Ability to work sensitively and respectfully with diverse at-risk children and families; identify and record significant behaviors; conduct objective assessments and evaluations; and learn and apply therapeutic principles.
Ability to work with parents and children in a warm, calming, respectful, encouraging, and patient manner.
Ability to educate and oversee groups of parents and children, flex work hours and days to meet family needs, respond effectively to emergencies, and seek and accept supervision and implement recommendations in a timely manner.
Ability to work in a multicultural setting.
Strict adherence to HIPAA standards in the office workspace to ensure client confidentiality.

Nice To Haves

An associate or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, education, special education, psychology, social work, or another related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

Interact with children respectfully and with dignity, applying diversity, equity, racial justice, and least restrictive environment principles.
Plan, implement, and post developmentally and therapeutically appropriate curriculum for 8–11 children ages 2–4.
Set up and clean the classroom, including maintaining supplies, preparing daily bleach bottles, washing blankets and towels, sanitizing mouthed objects, and vacuuming carpets.
Promote family growth and development through home-visit curriculum, referrals to community resources, and advocacy for families’ needs and interests.
Conduct at least monthly, approximately one-hour home visits with each family focused on parent-child interaction, child development, positive discipline, referrals, and other topics relevant to family functioning.
Maintain accurate and complete records for children and families, including required forms, attendance, contact logs, observations, assessments, screenings, goals, and home-visit records.
Ensure current family documentation is complete, including releases of information, allergy and medical information, and emergency contacts.
Communicate positively with parents about children’s progress, offer relevant guidance on discipline, reinforce parent education topics, and model appropriate interactions.
Report suspected abuse or neglect to the supervisor and Child Welfare Program, and communicate with other supervisors and team members working with the family.
Represent A Family Gathering Place at county and community meetings to coordinate family services, including Child Welfare Program and special education/IFSP meetings.
Promote open, positive communication and problem-solving with children, families, coworkers, and community members.
Model and encourage direct, professional communication among staff and support a positive staff network.
Provide culturally and socioeconomically sensitive client services.
Attend family staffing, all-staff, team, and other meetings and training as requested by the supervisor.
Support fundraising and other activities to raise awareness of the Relief Nursery in Klamath County.
Complete other tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, and prescription benefits.
Employer-paid short- and long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance at no cost to employees.
Up to two weeks of vacation in the first year, based on hours worked.
Up to two weeks of sick leave, based on hours worked.
12 paid agency-recognized holidays.
Two floating holidays.
403(b) retirement plan with employer matching, subject to eligibility.
Employee Assistance Program for employees and their families.
Potential eligibility for student loan forgiveness through the organization’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.