Relief Nursery Teacher

Lutheran Community Services Northwest•Klamath Falls, OR

4d•$22 - $33

About The Position

Lutheran Community Services NW is a nonprofit serving communities throughout Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. The Relief Nursery Teacher contributes to the organization’s mission of partnering with individuals, families, and communities for health, justice, and hope. The position manages a caseload of 5–8 families and their children, ages 2–4, and co-plans and implements developmentally appropriate, therapeutic curriculum for a classroom of 8–11 children. It monitors children’s development and family functioning, conducts at least monthly home visits for each family, and maintains accurate child and family records. The stated allocation of time is approximately 65% direct service, 30% documentation, and 5% other duties. Classrooms are managed by two people who share responsibility for all classroom aspects. The role includes working directly with children and families, supporting family development through home visits and community referrals, and communicating with parents about children’s progress. It also involves classroom setup, cleaning and sanitation; documentation and recordkeeping; coordination with community organizations; participation in meetings and training; and support for fundraising and awareness opportunities for the Relief Nursery in Klamath County. The position requires courteous, clear, accurate, and confidential communication with families, clients, colleagues, and community members. LCSNW describes a benefits package that includes health coverage, paid leave and holidays, disability and life insurance, a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching (subject to eligibility), and access to an Employee Assistance Program. The position has a stated 37.5-hour work week; work hours and days should be flexible to meet families’ needs.

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; write memos and correspondence; present information effectively; and respond to questions from employees, clients, and the public.
Excellent English communication skills, including reading, writing, and speaking.
Current Central Background Registry clearance.
Current First Aid certification, CPR card, Food Handler’s Card, and annual Mandatory Reporter/Child Abuse and Neglect training.
Current driver’s license, car insurance, and access to a vehicle; standard LCSNW criminal clearance, including national sex offender screening, and motor vehicle records review are required.
Ability to work effectively with data, independently, and as part of a team.
Ability to adapt, work 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, and special needs; generational poverty; 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 relate sensitively and respectfully to diverse at-risk children and families; identify and record significant individual and group 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, adjust work hours and days to meet families’ needs, respond effectively to emergencies, and seek and accept supervision and implement recommendations promptly.
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

Manage a caseload of 5–8 families and their children, ages 2–4.
Co-plan, implement, and post developmentally and therapeutically appropriate curriculum for a classroom of 8–11 children.
Monitor each child’s development and family functioning.
Conduct at least monthly, approximately one-hour home visits with each family, addressing parent-child interaction, child development, positive discipline, referrals, and other family needs.
Set up and clean the classroom, including stocking supplies, preparing bleach bottles, washing used blankets and towels, sanitizing mouthed objects, and vacuuming carpets.
Promote family growth and development through home-visit curriculum, community-resource referrals, and advocacy.
Maintain accurate, complete records for children and families, including required forms, attendance records, contact logs, observations, assessments, screenings, goals, and home-visit records.
Ensure current and complete family documentation, including releases, allergy and medical information, emergency contacts, and other pertinent data.
Communicate positively with parents about children’s progress, guidance and discipline techniques, parent education topics, and appropriate interactions.
Report suspected abuse or neglect to the supervisor, make reports to the Child Welfare Program, and communicate with supervisors and team members working with the family.
Represent A Family Gathering Place at county and community meetings to coordinate family services.
Maintain positive communication and encourage problem-solving skills among children, families, coworkers, and the community.
Model professional communication among staff and help foster a positive staff support network.
Deliver services with awareness and sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the populations served.
Attend family staffing, all-staff, team, and other meetings, and training as requested by the supervisor.
Complete other tasks assigned by the supervisor.
Support fundraising and other opportunities to raise awareness of the Relief Nursery in Klamath County.
Follow HIPAA standards and maintain client confidentiality.
Interact with children respectfully and with dignity; apply diversity, equity, racial justice, and least-restrictive-environment principles.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, and prescription benefits.
Employer-paid short- and long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance at no cost to the employee.
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 access for the employee and their family.
Potential eligibility for student loan forgiveness through the organization’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.
37.5-hour work week intended to support work/life balance.