EHS Lead Teacher

Support for Early Learning & Families (SELF) seeks an experienced, engaging, and dedicated Early Head Start Lead Teacher to join our educational community. This is a full-time, non-exempt position reporting directly to the Center Director. This position is based in Vancouver, Washington.

Who is SELF?

Support for Early Learning & Families (SELF) is a nonprofit organization founded in response to the question, “How can we work to improve opportunities for our community’s children?” This question is at the heart of the work that we do.

SELF Mission:

Support for Early Learning and Families (SELF) convenes and mobilizes partners and stakeholders throughout Southwest Washington to promote community awareness and advocacy for early learning, kindergarten readiness and school success for all children.

We work in partnership with the Educational Service District (ESD) 112 to staff and facilitate numerous childcare centers in the southwest Washington area. Our programs are designed to support children at ages ranging from birth, to preschool, to school age. We have program types to support children of all backgrounds and needs. We pride ourselves on fostering a community that helps our mission by helping each other.

To learn more about SELF, we invite you to visit our website: www.SELFwa.org

Job Title: EHS Lead Teacher

Employment Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports to: Center Director

Supervises: N/A

About the EHS Lead Teacher Float Position:

The EHS Lead Teacher is responsible for providing a safe and engaging educational setting for children whose age range from birth up to 3 years of age in the Early Head Start. The EHS Lead Teacher must demonstrate exemplary teaching skills, patience, and responsive care practices that are woven together to create quality education experiences, model consistent and stable relationships, while maintaining all necessary documentation within program requirement and DCYF licensing standards. Teachers work within the framework of age-appropriate curriculum and lesson plans, to promote the health, nutrition, and education of children in their care. Teachers must foster and encourage parental involvement in educational planning, goal setting, and center activities. Responsibilities include functional supervision and delegation of classroom responsibilities to classroom staff, providing direct services and engaging with children in the classroom, as well as regular collaborative planning and follow-up, using program databases and tools.

What could you bring to SELF?:

• Energetic, and mission-focused with a passion for early childhood development, learning and fun!
• Professional and positive disposition, that demonstrates a strong work ethic, integrity and reliability.
• Passionate about supporting the growth and development of children through child-lead programming
• Collaborative, positive, and team oriented.
• Proactive in actively contributing to the learning and work environment and demonstrating the ability to handle multiple priorities and emergent program needs.
• Appreciation for and commitment to supporting children and families with diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds.
• Interest in professional development and growth.

What could SELF offer you?

• A competitive compensation package with an hourly position range. This position is eligible for overtime.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance.
• A 401(k)-retirement savings plan with up to 2.5% employer match.
• Up to two weeks of PTO accrued annually.
• Paid holidays and one paid floating holiday.
• School Year and Full Year positions are available.
• Life Insurance- $10,000.
• The general work schedule is Monday through Friday business hours, with some work hour flexibility as needed.
• Availability is requested occasionally for paid in-service meetings or professional development events, or other work needs.
• Discounted childcare for pre-school and school-aged children.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Quarterly passes to Columbia Sportswear and Adidas employee store.
• A collaborative, mission-focused organizational culture with continuous professional development opportunities.
• An opportunity to make a difference in our community!

Qualifications and Skills:

• High school diploma or GED.
• 18 years of age or older.
• Must meet one of the following:
• Child Development Associate (CDA) + 8 Early Childhood Education Credits
• Short Early Childhood Education Certificate
• 20+ Early Childhood Education Credits
• Ability to work within a team and work effectively with other people.
• Ability to follow directions and follow through efficiently on assigned tasks.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, busy environment with constant interruptions, while maintaining a focus on children and meeting program requirements
• Regular attendance during scheduled work hours.
• Must present a professional and positive demeanor in behavior and dress.
• Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation for diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds of families served.

Requirements

Agency Coordinated:

• Enrollment in DCYF background check system - https://apps.dcyf.wa.gov/MERIT/Home/SignInRegister – FREE
• A valid WA Food Handlers Card. More information: https://www.foodworkercard.wa.gov/
• Completion of Washington State HIV/Blood Borne Pathogens – FREE
• Participation in Washington’s State Training and Registry System (STARS) program required – (enroll within 45 days of hire date)

Health and Safety Requirements - All Initial Health and Safety Requirements are Agency Funded and Facilitated:

• A valid CPR/First Aid certification - child/infant. Must include in-classroom practice.
• Negative Tuberculosis (TB) test – Valid testing within previous 12 months.
• Documented immunity to Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR).
• Initial health exam completed by medical provider.

Work Environment:

• This job operates in a preschool and childcare environment. This job presents possible exposure to blood and bodily fluids or tissues and possible exposure to communicable diseases.
• Requires the ability to move or traverse about inside and outside of the childcare environment to access and meet the needs of children in accordance with WAC 110-300 Foundational Quality Standards for Early Learning Programs.
• Moderate or frequent exposure to loud noises, outside weather elements, and temperature changes.
• Workspace is at an early childcare center, as well as meetings and trainings at ESD 112 and other locations, as necessary.

Physical and Mental Demands:

The physical and mental demands listed here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• The candidate must be able to observe center activities with accuracy in order to effectively supervise child interactions and behaviors. Candidate must be able to effectively communicate verbally with coworkers, children, and families.
• This position requires the candidate to engage physically and mentally in activities with staff and children. Must possess the ability to lift and/or move materials necessary to meet requirements of Essential Functions of position, which include exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects including the human body. Must be able to assist in physical behavioral interventions and/or facility evacuations in the event of an emergency.
• Working with young children requires sound judgment, self-control, emotional competence, and the ability to adjust cognitive patterns to meet the needs of children with diverse backgrounds, varying social-emotional skills, and behavioral challenges.
• Job involves sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, reaching, grasping, bending, stooping, crouching, pushing, and/or pulling. Position involves physical mobility with or without reasonable accommodation to perform essential functions of the job.

Application Process:

For consideration, please complete the application at the following link: www.SELFwa.org

Reference and background checks are conducted with finalist candidate(s) as part of our interview process. The Early Head Start Teacher position is available immediately and will remain open until it is filled.

SELF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status or any other protected characteristic. Our organization is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.