POSITION SUMMARY

The primary scope of this position is to plan and implement high-quality early education and child development services to Head Start (HS) children including children with disabilities. This position is responsible for the implementation of the Head Start Performance Standards and all other regulatory requirements for their assigned classroom.                       

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES - Head Start Performance Standard 1302.30 Purpose:

• Demonstrate knowledge of Gulf Coast Community Services Association (GCCSA) mission, goals, policies, and procedures.                        
• Demonstrate knowledge of Head Start’s Performance Standards, Early Learning Outcomes, and other regulatory requirements.        
• Communicate and collaborate with Child Development Specialists and all content area staff to implement services that meet the needs of children and families assigned to their classroom.
• Communicate and collaborate with teaching staff, substitutes and volunteers to implement services that meet the needs of children and their families assigned to their respective classrooms.                 
• Provide leadership and direction to Teacher Assistants and/or Teacher Aides assigned to their classroom.             
• Ensure required tasks and supporting documentation are completed timely and accurately including but not limited to home visits, developmental screeners, parent conferences, assessments, and anecdotal notes       
• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.
• This job description may be revised upon development of other duties and changes in responsibilities.
   

Teaching and Learning Environment - Head Start Performance Standard 1302.31 

• Demonstrate responsive care, effective teaching practices, including the implementation of positive strategies to support children’s well-being, and prevent and address challenging behaviors. 
• Ensure children’s health and safety are in accordance with all regulations.
• Set up and implement a well-organized classroom that is developmentally appropriate and inviting for pre-school age children.                        
• Safeguard the equipment and materials assigned to classrooms to ensure adequate supplies are available for all children. 

Curriculum and Assessment - Head Start Performance Standard 1302.32 Curricula and 1302.33 Child Screenings and Assessment 

• Develop and implement weekly lesson plans that include planned and appropriate activities that align with the developmental progressions described in the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and are based on relevant child assessment data 
• Assess children assigned to their classroom and demonstrate the child’s knowledge, developmental stages, individual differences, and cultural background.            

Parent and Family Engagement - Head Start Performance Standard 1302.34 Parent and Family Engagement in Education and Child Development Services: 

• Communicate and collaborate with parents to engage them in their child (ren)’s learning. 
• Conduct at least two home visits and at least two parent-teacher conferences per family per program year.            

Training and Professional Development - Head Start Performance Standard 1302.92:

• Demonstrate on-going personal and professional growth and development to meet program and regulatory requirements. 
• Participate in coaching opportunities, including observation and feedback sessions. 

KEY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES NEEDED:

• Have exceptional people skills and customer service. Must have the ability to read and comprehend intermediate to complex instructions. Excellent oral and written communication skills are necessary to interact with all levels of management, colleagues, and staff to ensure consistency and proper procedure implementation;

• Have advanced technological skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 Application Suite, and client-tracking software.
• Have effective leadership and organizational skills.
• Problem-solve effectively and make data-driven decisions.
• Have familiarity with the Head Start/Early Head Start Act, Head Start Performance Standards, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Childcare Licensing Standards. 
• Promote a harassment-free environment.
• Be able to work independently or on teams in a challenging work atmosphere.
• Be able to prioritize and balance multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment.
• Plan and complete tasks and assignments on-schedule with minimal supervision using appropriate judgment.
• Exercise appropriate judgment, discretion and maintain the confidentiality of all GCCSA’s stakeholders.
• Avoid any interest or activity that conflicts with GCCSA’s Standards of Conduct.
• Be experienced in conflict resolution; and
• Work with intentionality and integrity to ethically uphold GCCSA’s mission, values, and goals.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK ENVIRONMENT

GCCSA’s work locations vary based on the duties and responsibilities of the GCCSA team members (e.g., office, workstation, classroom, food pantry, warehouse, training and/or counseling rooms). In general, the noise level is usually quiet to moderately noisy.

VITAL TRAITS

• People-person
• Adaptable
• Self-starter
• Energetic
• Results-oriented
• Respectful
• Critical-Thinker
• Decisive
• Trustworthy
• Inclusive
• Servant-Leader

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

The following educational/experiential, licensing/certifications, communication, and physical demands outlined below must be evident and met satisfactorily:

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education/Child Development Preferred or at least 12 credits in Early Childhood Education. Six (6) months in a similar position working with pre-school aged children and able to supervise and interact with a group of 15-20 preschool children.

2. Physical Demands

   • move about various locations to access office equipment.
   • observe details at close range.
   • move items weighing up to 30 pounds.
   • travel to and from assigned work locations.
   • lift items from the floor up to 30 pounds.
   • reach overhead and to the floor; and
   • wear personal protective equipment, when necessary.

3. Travel Requirements

• Attend job-related activities such as meetings, training, workshops, etc., both in and out of the service areas. 
• Have reliable transportation.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT

GCCSA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. GCCSA makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

In addition, GCCSA retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position, as needed.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT STATEMENT

If requested, GCCSA will attempt to provide reasonable accommodations to enable employees with disabilities to perform essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.