Head Start Teacher Associate (10-month, Stretch position)

• Do you get excited thinking about working in an all-inclusive preschool program that provides an opportunity for a greater impact working with vulnerable children and families?   
• Are you passionate about providing extra support to allow students with challenging behaviors to achieve their goals and be successful?   
• Are you looking for professional development and individualized coaching to progress your career?   
• Are you interested in being part of a supportive team to help you learn and grow?  

If you answered ”yes” to these questions, Jefferson County Head Start's Teacher Associatepositionmay be what you've been searching for!  
    
The Teacher Associaterole is a great opportunity if you are:  

• Currently enrolled in a childhood development program and need to log hours in the classroom  
• Or a recent graduate looking to start your career  

Check out this video to see what it is like to work at Head Start!  
  
Head Start is a no cost, all-inclusive, child-focused and family-centered preschool program for children ages 3-5. A range of individualized services in the areas of education, early childhood development, medical, dental, mental health, nutrition, family support, and parent education. We strive to provide equitable and inclusive services and support to the diverse community we serve.  

The  Head Start Teacher Associate will support the Lead Teacher in classroom duties in a classroom of 15-20 children, implementing curriculum, and maintaining compliance with Head Start Performance standards including education, disabilities, parent involvement, nutrition, health and mental health.    

Head Start offers opportunities for on-site professional development scheduled during work hours, a team-oriented program that assists you with providing the best service for our families, and individualized coaching.  

SCHEDULE: 

This is a ten-month working position from August through May (stretch) that will be paid over twelve months.

COMPENSATION:  

Hiring Range: $19.20 - $20.65 USD Hourly 

Compensation will be determined based on education, experience and skills. 

Stretch Position: Please note, this will be a ten-month working position (stretch) that will be paid over twelve months.Compensation will be determined based on education, experience, and skills.

Bilingual Skillset: Staff that are fluent in a language other than English may be eligible for additional compensation for use of bilingual skills.  

BENEFITS: 

Jefferson County offers a generous benefits package that supports your personal and professional life. Benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance, paid time off and holidays, including a starting bank of 40 hours of PTO for new hires; retirement matching, wellness programs, tuition reimbursement, flexible schedules, and more. For more information, click Here for our Total Rewards summary.   

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: 

The Head Start Teacher Associate will be responsible for supporting the Lead Teacher with the following duties:   

• Implementation of Creative Curriculum.  
• Developing lesson plans.   
• Administering development, social and emotional screenings.   
• Conducting observations and notation of documentation.  
• Actively supervising children.   
• Teaching developmentally appropriate practices and utilize trauma informed care.  
• Ensuring compliance with Head Start performance standards within the classroom including education, disabilities, parent involvement, nutrition, health, and mental health.   
• Partnering with a multi-disciplinary team including mental health specialists, special education professionals, and family support workers to provide the best service for our families.   
• Supporting peers by collaborating and sharing experiences to finding solutions together.   
• Use specific strategies with families to provide home language support to all English language learners. 
• Abide by Colorado Adult and Child Food Program Guidelines to offer family style dining for each meal served during the school day to ensure rich conversations and language development opportunities. 
• Collaborate with the Special Education Team (SPED) to support children with IEP’s and track progress on their specific goals. Create MTSS (Multi-tiered Systems of Support) goals for children that may have a suspected developmental delay and collect the necessary data needed to support SPED referrals. Attend IEP meetings in the absence of the Lead Teacher. 
• Build family engagement and develop relationships with families through ongoing interactions that are responsive to the strengths, interests, needs, and culture of the family. 
• Support the Lead Teacher, as the child’s first educator, in conducting family visits throughout the year including a visit prior to the child’s first day of school to partner with the parent and a conference with the family in the spring to reflect on the school experiences of the child and the family. Assist with the data collection required for the Lead Teacher to be able to review child outcomes and set new developmental goals for two family conferences throughout the school year. Conduct family visits and family conferences in the absence of the Lead Teacher. 
• Assist with raising match funds for the program by supporting families in tracking learning opportunities at home that are connected to the learning taking place in the classroom. Help identify families that could benefit from partnering with Jeffco Prosperity Partners to gain specialized supports to obtaining self-sufficiency. 
• Participate in two weeks of annual professional and educational development. Participate in on-going monthly opportunities focused on trauma informed care, social determinants of health, family engagement, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Work ongoing with supervisor to make progress towards identified current and long-term career goals. Attend monthly group coaching sessions to collaborate and learn from specialists and peers. Maintain credential in Colorado Shines Professional Development Information System (PDIS). 
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Research shows that women and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups tend to apply only when they check every box in the posting. If you are reading this and hesitating to click “apply” for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! A true passion and excitement for making an impact is just as important as work experience. 

Minimum Qualifications:  

• High School Diploma or GED and one year of experience,  
• And enrolled in a CDA credential program to be completed within two years of employment (Hours working in the classroom may be used for teaching hours required for CDA)   
• Child Development Associate credential (CDA), or State awarded certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements for CDA credential,   
• OR enrolled in a program leading to an associate's or bachelor's degree   
• CPR/First Adie/ADE Certified by State of Colorado 

Preferred knowledge, skills and abilities: 

• One - two years of experience in a classroom or center focusing on early childhood education or development   
• Experience implementing social and emotional learning (SEL) curriculum in a preschool setting   
• Strong written and verbal communication and ability to utilize computer programs for documentation   

ADDITIONAL JOB INFORMATION:  

• Criminal History and MVR Background Checks are required for every position. 
• Offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of criminal history, motor vehicle report, education verification, and/or references. 
• A valid Colorado driver’s license is required for positions that drive on County Business in either a county or personal vehicle shall have a Colorado Driver’s license within 30-days of hire or beginning to serve as an intern or volunteer.
• In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.  
• All Jefferson County Employees must apply through their internal profile.