The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities or requirements of this position. Employees are expected to perform other functions as assigned or requested to further support the organization’s mission.

About the Organization

Founded as separate organizations in 1948, Jewish Long Beach and the Barbara and Ray Alpert JCC (AJCC) are the newly merged single agency serving the functions of a Jewish community center, Jewish federation, and Jewish community foundation for the Long Beach and west Orange County areas. Jewish Long Beach and the AJCC administer a wide variety of programs and services, rooted in Jewish values but open to all, including early childhood education, summer camp, and after-school programs, adult education, services for seniors, leadership development, fitness and wellness programs, advocacy, and much more. Jewish Long Beach also awards nearly $500,000 in grants annually to a variety of nonprofit agencies throughout the Long Beach area and overseas. The organization owns and operates an eight-acre multi-use campus in east Long Beach, has an annual operating budget of approximately $7 million, and manages approximately $35 million in philanthropic assets.

Position Summary

The teacher is responsible for the health, safety and education of young children, parents and families. Priorities are direct programming with children, parent education and program development.

Essential Position Responsibilities

• Direct care and supervision of children.
• Writing and implementing lesson plans.
• Program and curriculum development, independently and in collaboration with other staff and parents.
• Prepare a weekly letter to parents communicate with parents about special events using the electronic note system and telephone calls if necessary.
• Prepare and participate in parent conferences.
• Attend and participate in all staff training and meetings.
• Prepare classroom including set-up at the beginning of school and clean-up at the end.
• On time performances of Duty Schedule assignments are crucial responsibilities within the work day.
• Develop and present parent and family education.
• Maintains the highest quality of courtesy, friendliness and service excellence toward members, visitors and other staff.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Behavioral Expectations

• Clearly communicate the “mission,” ensuring everyone works toward the same goals.
• Create a positive environment where two-way communication, accountability, and strong trust are established.
• Promote teamwork and respect, both internally between staff as well as in community-facing contexts with donors, volunteers, members, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrate the ability to respond with a high degree of responsiveness to the needs and requests of others, internally and externally. Understand the impact of their work on others.
• Deal constructively with conflict and focus on the situation, issue or behavior and not on the person by diffusing situations before conflicts arise, resolving conflicts directly and actively promoting and gaining cooperation from others.
• Accurately provide and receive information in oral and written communications.
• Consistently provide ideas, opinions, or information in an articulate, professional way.
• Actively listen to others and demonstrate understanding of other points of view.
• Willingness and ability to adjust to changing conditions or priorities.
• Take the initiative to identify and act on problems, and lead by example. Consistently make decisions that resolve problems and act decisively when necessary.

Requirements

• All employees must meet the CA Department of Social Service (CDSS) employee requirements. All employees will need to comply with any employee regulations as they are updated and mandated.
• All employees must be fingerprinted and cleared by the State Department of Justice.
• Annual proof of a clear Tuberculosis test or chest X-ray. A doctor’s certification is acceptable in place of an annual chest X-ray.
• Must be able to relate well to children.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal are essential.
• Knowledge of, or willingness to learn about, Jewish holidays, traditions and life cycle events.
• Obtain a minimum of 8 continuing education hours per calendar year. Remain current with educational trends. (Staff Development trainings can be used as continuing education hours)
• React to change productively and successfully manage multiple details and deadlines.

Education and/or Experience

A High School diploma or equivalent required. A Bachelor’s Degree in a related field or successful completion of 12 Early Childhood Education Units; 24 units preferred, and previous related experience.

Language Skills

Excellence in customer service requires the ability to deal effectively with people in a variety of situations in person and in writing. Ability to communicate effectively with individuals or groups of members or employees in English. Ability to read and interpret English language documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write reports and compose correspondence by hand and/or by computer.

Mathematical Skills

Basic math skills including the ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. The ability to ask for assistance to draw valid conclusions as necessary.

Physical Demand

While performing the duties of this job, the ECE teacher is regularly required to use hands and fingers, handle or feel objects tools or controls, reach with hands and arms, and speak or hear. This person is required to stand and move about the entire building and grounds, as well as off-site area. Due to the nature of the job, it is necessary to be able to pick up a 45 pound child and navigate both classrooms and playground. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision and distance vision up to 75 feet.

Work Environment

Primarily the ECE wing is comprised of offices, classrooms and playground. Noise level, toys on the floor and clutter will be as are normal to child care environments. Some programs and responsibilities will occur in other parts of the campus or at off-site venues not owned or under the control of the JCC.

COVID-19 considerations

Jewish Long Beach and the Alpert JCC requires staff who are accessing campus facilities to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or declare a medical or religious exemption. Please be prepared to comply with this requirement as a condition of employment.