Overview
Job Summary:
This position collaborates with the classroom team to lead in facilitating learning for infants and toddlers in an Early Head Start classroom using an approved developmentally appropriate curriculum which promotes routines, social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth of children in the program.
Duties:
In collaboration with the co-teachers assigned to the Early Headstart classrooms, the lead teacher(s) will:
1. Work collaboratively with other team members maintaining a professional environment at all times.
2. Knowledge of and ability to implement Headstart program standards and support ability to model professional collaboration and sharing classroom responsibilities (classroom clean-up/classroom maintenance) with all classroom teaching staff.
3. Lead collaboration with classroom staff in lesson planning, developing and maintaining a positive, nurturing, strength based learning environment that meets Federal Performance Standards/Licensing Regulations and is consistent with the Creative Curriculum and the Infant Toddler Environmental Rating Scale (ITERS).
4. Participate in development and implementation of activities for indoor and outdoor learning environment with teaching team.
5. Daily computer usage including Microsoft Office programs and web-based data management systems for entering data (observations, assessments, communication, etc.) as required by federal and state program standards.
6. Collaborate to plan individualized activities that support the goals set, in collaboration with parents, for each child.
7. Serve as a member of a multi-disciplinary team for a child with in Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).
8. Provide observations and input to help develop and implement Transition Plans, for children age 2.5, from Early Head Start with parents and Head Start or other preschool programs to ensure smooth transitions by the child’s third birthday.
9. Assist with health screenings as required by Health Coordinator.
10. Administer the Ages and Stages (ASQ-3) Developmental Screener, in collaboration with parents, within the first 45 days of child entry into the program.
11. Administer the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment for Infants and Toddlers (DECA – IT), in collaboration with parents, within the first 45 days of child entry into the program.
12. Lead collaborations to help teaching team prepare and maintain monthly paperwork, reports and turn in according to established timelines.
13. Supervise and give direction to classroom substitutes and classroom volunteers.
14. Establish a family friendly classroom by greeting parents’ daily, encouraging volunteerism, and engaging parents in curriculum planning through use of the posted Parent Idea Wheel.
15. Report suspected incidences of child abuse/neglect to ELC Director to complete in detail the SCAN document and make report to CPS and or/Suquamish Tribal Police as mandated.
16. Participate in annual revision of work plan as requested.
17. Participate in annual self-assessment as requested.
18. Maintain Professional Development Plan goals in accordance with Office of Headstart performance standards.
19. Participate in required meetings and trainings including Family Staffing, EHS Training, In-Service Day trainings, monthly team meetings and others as designated by Education/Disabilities Manager or Program Management.
20. Notify teaching team and Education/Disabilities Manager of absence from work with as much advance notice as possible.
21. Accepts other duties as assigned.
Education and/or Experience:
1. AA or BA/BS in early childhood education or related behavioral field with at least two years experience.
2. Must have good, written and verbal communication skills, concern for and understanding of low-income families.
3. Demonstrated ability to achieve educational/social outcomes with at-risk children/families.
4. Must have reliable transportation to use on the job.
5. Must be willing to work as a team member.
6. Must be aware and sensitive to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) related to free appropriate education to all children with disabilities identified as needing special education and related services.
7. Must have interest and understanding of Suquamish Tribal culture.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Supervise and give direction to classroom substitutes and classroom volunteers.
Health Requirements:
1. TB skin test within 30 days of employment.
2. COVID-19 vaccine requirement
3. CPR/First Aide Certification upon hire
4. Initial physical exam within three months of employment, every two years thereafter.
5. Food Handlers Permit.
6. HIV/AIDS Training, Blood Bourne Pathogens and all other licensure related trainings annually.
7. Good personal hygiene and grooming
8. Must be able to get down on the child’s eye level and floor. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
9. Physical requirements of this position require being able to physically match the activity level of an infant or toddler.
Essential Physical/Mental Functions:
1. The physical requirements of this position require being able to physically match the activity level of 1-3 year olds.
2. Position requires intermittent sitting, standing, walking, twisting and bending.
3. Must be able to get down on the child’s eye level and floor.
4. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
5. Simple grasping and hand manipulation required as well as reaching above and below shoulder level.
6. Must be able to withstand exposure to noise in a pre-school environment.
7. Must be mentally alert and able to react quickly and appropriately when dealing with pre- school age children.
8. Must be able to build secure, nurturing relationships with children and families.
9. Must display a positive affect while working with children.
10. Must have a positive attitude in the work place.
11. Requires accuracy, good communication, judgment, and the ability to remain calm and provide appropriate advice and information.
12. Must be able to exhibit regular attendance.
Specific Job Skills:
1. Sensitive to Native American People, culture, and issues.
2. Experience working with low-income families/communications.
3. Computer experience.
4. Positive role model.
5. State/Tribal background checks required.
Disclaimer:
1. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.
2. The employee will be required to follow any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor and/or ELC Director.
Special considerations in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 (Title 25, USC, Section 472)
About The Suquamish Tribe
The Suquamish Tribe believes that our employees are one of the most important assets to the success of Tribal Government operations. We have a strong commitment to provide employees with a positive, productive work environment with opportunities for personal satisfaction and growth in a safe, healthy, and harmonious work environment. The Suquamish Tribal Government currently employs staff in the areas of Administration, Human Resources, Community Development, Early Learning, Education, Finance, Fisheries, Human Services, Health Benefits, Indian Child Welfare, Information Systems, Legal, Maintenance, Natural Resources, Public Safety, and Tribal Court.
