Job Details
Job Location
Vestal - San Antonio, TX
Description
Job Overview
This position is responsible for academic, social-emotional growth and development of all children in their care, which may include infants, toddlers and/or preschool age children; develops partnerships with parents, children, and caregivers to engage and encourage participation in the program. He/she is also responsible for assuring compliance with State and local governing entities and works collectively with other staff member of AVANCE.

• Early Head Start Program and Parent Child Education Program (PCEP) works directly with children ages 6 weeks through toddler.
• Head Start works directly with toddlers through pre-k age children.

Job Responsibilities

• Promotes and models the organization's Core Values.
• Always ensures the safety and well-being of children while under AVANCE's care.
• Follows program confidentiality policies concerning information about children, families, and other staff members.
• Ensures that no child will be left alone or unsupervised while under our care.
• Uses positive methods of child guidance and will not engage in corporal punishment, emotional or physical abuse, or humiliation. In addition, staff will not employ methods of discipline that involve isolation, the use of food as punishment or reward, or the denial of basic needs.
• Maintains an open, friendly, and cooperative relationship with each child's family, encourage their involvement in the program, and promote parent-child bonding and nurturing parent-child relationships.
• Promotes feelings of security and trust in infants and toddlers by being warm, supportive, and comforting, and by establishing strong and caring relationships with them.
• Provides infants and toddlers with experiences and opportunities that allow them to develop curiosity, initiative, problem-solving skills, and creativity, as well as a sense of self and a feeling of belonging to the group.
• Conducts developmental screenings of infants' and toddlers' motor, language, social, cognitive, perceptual, and emotional skills as directed.
• Develops and teaches weekly lesson plans for each child according to the early childhood and assessment tool standards as directed.
• Reports suspected neglect, abuse, and medical conditions/illnesses immediately.
• Responsible for maintaining an average daily attendance of at least 85 percent in applicable programs.
• Attends required professional development.
• Actively encourages parents to participate in two home visits annually for each child enrolled in a center-based program option. These home visits must be initiated and carried out by the child's teacher. Ensures that procedures are followed in accordance with State and Federal regulations. (*Positions in PCEP do not require home visits.)
• Ensures all performance, program and licensing standards are followed consistently.
• Will be the designated person in charge in the absence of the Center Director/Coordinator of Education to meet Licensing requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education
Required:

• Current CDA in Infant and Toddler required for Early Head Start, PCEP, School-Based, and Expansion positions.
• Minimum associates degree in child development or early childhood education for Head Start positions.

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in child development or early childhood education or 18 hours equivalent coursework.

Work Experience
Required:

• A minimum of two (2) years of experience working with an EHS/HS Program; knowledge of the Performance Standards and Texas Licensing Standards.

Preferred:

• A minimum of three (3) years of experience with and EHS/HS Program and knowledgeable of the Performance Standards and Texas Licensing Standards.

Additional Skills Required

• Must be computer literate, and have proficient working knowledge in word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Must have Interpersonal and team building skills.
• Spanish fluency helpful, but not required.
• Strong organizational skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships.
• Strong verbal and written communication, problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to travel to various training sessions.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification.
• Must have dependable transportation daily, valid driver's license, a clean driving record, current auto liability insurance and be bondable by AVANCE, San Antonio, Inc.

Disclaimer(s)
This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. Nothing in this job description forms or is intended to form a contract of employment. Neither shall the content in this job description be interpreted to conflict with, or to eliminate or modify in any way, the at will employment status of AVANCE San Antonio employees. Employment remains on an at-will basis.
Travel
0-5% annually on average, mostly local.
Equipment
Computer, computer software programs and peripherals, resource materials and equipment, copier, fax, and other equipment applicable to the position.
Working Conditions
Mental and Physical Demands
General office and sedentary. Regularly required to sit; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Use of personal computing equipment.
Maintain emotional control under stress; work with interruptions and deadlines; walking, standing, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing; occasional: lifting/carrying, pulling/pushing 10-30 pounds. Work evenings and weekends as needed.
Environmental Factors
Occasional exposure to biological hazards (communicable diseases, bacteria, insects, mold, fungi, etc.). Occasional exposure to weather related conditions when working in outside environment/neighborhoods and events.
ADA/ADAAA Statement
AVANCE is committed to equal opportunity in employment for persons with disabilities and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as amended, and any other applicable state and federal laws. Accordingly, AVANCE does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities regarding application, hiring, advancement, discharge, compensation, training or other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. Moreover, it is AVANCE's policy to provide reasonable accommodations in employment to qualified individuals with disabilities so that they can perform the essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of AVANCE's business or would change the essential functions of the position. Retaliation against an individual with a disability for utilizing this policy or seeking a reasonable accommodation is prohibited. Individuals with any questions or requests for accommodation should contact the Human Resources Department.
EEO/AAP Statement
AVANCE values diversity and is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. It is also our goal to employ and advance in employment women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, and to treat qualified individuals without discrimination based on their physical or mental disability or veteran status.