Want to make a difference in a child’s life? Join CommUnify’s team by becoming a Head Start Teacher! Our agency provides employees with a positive work environment and the ability to balance work & home along with excellent benefits. Our benefit package includes: medical, dental, vision, life insurance including sick, vacation, and personal leave with 11 paid holiday's and a fully vested retirement plan with and up to 5% match.

Temporary position starting between $18.20 - $19.75 per hour. Positions located at the Westgate Center in Santa Maria.

Under the supervision of a Site Supervisor, Early Head Start Teachers develops plans for the experiences and care of infants and toddlers in partnership with another EHS Teacher. Maintains a safe and positive classroom climate, and a language rich and attention rich environment for the children; screens and assesses each child using appropriate screening/assessment tools; individualizes the educational plans for each child based on ongoing developmental assessments. Engages parents of various cultural backgrounds as their child’s primary teacher. Teacher levels II and III act as “second in command” of site operations, as assigned when Site Supervisor is off site, as assigned.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Other duties may be assigned.

• When in the teacher/child ratio, maintains 100% supervision of all children, by sight and sound at all times.
• Plans high quality, developmentally appropriate learning experiences with the team teacher.
• Carries out a bilingual, multicultural anti-bias curriculum designed to meet children’s developmental needs within program guidelines.
• Maintains an indoor and outdoor classroom environment consistent with Early Head Start/Child Development, Licensing and Agency standards.
• Assists children with self-care needs such as tooth brushing, diapering, toileting, hand washing and wiping noses.
• Maintains the confidentiality of records and information of enrolled families.
• Is responsible for the large group in partnership with co-Caregivers and small group (primary language) daily.
• Provides care and assists children with self-care according to their development such as, eating, drinking, tooth brushing, diapering, toilet learning, dressing, hand washing and wiping noses.
• Maintains a physically safe environment and clean, well-organized equipment and learning materials indoors and out.
• Attends and contributes to regular staff meetings and curriculum planning meetings.
• Functions as a positive team member with co-workers.
• Assumes responsibility for maintenance of required assessments and screenings.
• Plans weekly/daily curriculum with team teacher that scaffolds child development.
• Meets on a regular basis with the team teacher to plan and evaluate individualization of the curriculum and behavior plans if applicable.
• Plans and carries out transition activities for children who are entering or leaving the class/center.
• Maintains narrative records on each child related to their development.
• Completes required paper and electronic records in a timely manner.
• Attends IFSP (Individual Family Service Plan) meetings for special needs children with consultants, school district personnel and parents as required.
• Attends parent meetings upon request.
• Consistently uses positive child guidance methods.
• Provides daily on-going communication with parents regarding children’s activities, development, and special needs.
• Makes at least 2 home visits, and two parent conferences with each assigned child's family annually.
• Participates with supervisors and managers in the evaluation and ongoing improvement of the program’s effectiveness.
• Carry out responsibilities of staff supervision, licensing requirements and overall center operations when the Site Supervisor is away from the center.
• Must be available for pre-arranged evening or weekend home visits, meetings, or special events to meet the needs of working families.
• Is aware of all center’s children with food allergies, and ensures they receive the doctor recommended substitutions.
• Is sensitive to children with special needs.
• Assumes responsibility for maintenance of required records.
• Functions as a positive team member. Communicates effectively with families and co-workers.
• Performs other comparable related duties as required.

Education and/or Experience:

Teacher I: 12 units in Early Childhood Education/Child Development in core course or hold Associate Teacher permit or Child Development Associate permit. 6 units of Infant/Toddler Development are required.

Teacher II: Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education/Child Development or a related field and eligible for a Child Development Teacher permit or higher from California Commission on Teacher Credentialing with three semester units in supervised field experience. 6 units of Infant/Toddler Development are required.

Computer Skills: To perform this position successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Internet software; and Word Processing software.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Obtain and maintain a current Child Development Permit for position held. Must obtain and maintain a Pediatric First Aid and CPR card. Valid California driver’s license with acceptable driving record as determined by the Agency and current insurance.

Other Skills and Abilities: Experience working with children with disabilities desirable; Bilingual preferred.

Other Qualifications: Successfully complete a pre-employment physical examination. Obtain a tuberculosis clearance and clear Community Care Licensing fingerprint process. Provide verification of State required vaccines upon hire for: Influenza (from August 1 to December 1), Pertussis, and Measles. Acceptable verifications include immunization record and physician statement. Exceptions to vaccinations: Flu can be waived by completing annual waiver.

Please note: CommUnify has a mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy with ability to request a vaccination accommodation due to medical or religious reasons.