Lead Teacher (Job Description) 

Department: Early Childhood Development

Category: RFT/RPT/TOC

 Reports to: Education Manager

Hours of Work: 35-40 hours/Varies 

PCN: S403

Level:  G-08

FLSA Status:  Non-exempt

Date Approved: 07/08/2019

SUMMARY This position will provide safe, healthy, developmentally appropriate Head Start services to infants, toddlers, and/or preschoolers. Oversees comprehensive services to the child and family. Provide lead mentoring and coaching to classroom staff.

JOB DUTIES:

 • Plans a schedule of daily activities through lesson planning; integrating child health and safety, early childhood development, child mental health, and family and community partnerships into the curriculum

 • Uses a team approach to develop activities individualized to meet the child's needs

 • Develops classroom activities that reflect the specific cultural and ethnic backgrounds of the children, as well as individualizing based on needs

 • Maintains a safe, healthy, and positive learning environment

 • Involves parents in educational activities to enhance their role as the primary educator of their children

 • Updates emergency contact forms 

• Advises an appropriate supervisor of social service issues, health, and educational concerns

 • Attends staff meetings, family staffing, trainings and other scheduled activities

 • Adheres to all State child care licensing regulations

 • Participates in monthly fire drills, ensuring children, volunteers, and all classroom staff know appropriate drill procedures

 • Assists Health Specialist and Family Advocates with gathering pertinent information such as dental and medical follow-ups

 • Communicates with families, both written and oral, providing periodic informational flyers to parents

 • Cleans classroom every day, including putting supplies in proper places, cleaning and sanitizing surfaces and toys

 • Acts as a positive role model for children, especially with regard to respecting the feelings and rights of others

 • Follows program procedures for reporting child abuse and neglect

 • Participates in the recruitment of families to encourage enrollment of their child(ren) into the program(s)

 • Develop consistent, stable, and supportive relationships with families served, while maintaining professional boundaries

 • Maintain confidentiality of family records and information

 • Perform other duties as assigned

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY

 • Knowledge of curriculum, various content areas, and learning styles is critical to making decisions related to educational planning

 • Ability to report to work in a timely manner

 • Skill in operating personal computer utilizing a variety of computer software

 • Understanding and sensitivity to diverse cultures and lifestyles, and ability to work effectively with Alaska Native populations

 • Skill in managing multiple priorities and tasks concurrently and meet deadlines

 • Skill in oral and written communication

 • Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative and respectful working relationships with children, parents, supervisors, and other employees

 • Ability to work independently as well as with team.

 • Strong customer services skills, with the ability to effectively present instruction, and/or information to students, staff, parents, administrators, and public

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education & Experience)

 • BA degree in Early Childhood Education or related field

 • Current CDA Credential or willingness to acquire one within a year of hire if not an Early Childhood Education Degree

 • Two (2) years’ experience working in an Early Childhood or Head Start Program

 • Three references demonstrating positive experience working with or caring for children

 • Current Infant/Toddler CPR/First Aide or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire 

 PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (Education & Experience)

 • Four (4) years’ experience working in an Early Childhood or Head Start Program

 WORKING ENVIRONMENT

 The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position corresponds to medium work, involving physical exertion of 20-50 lbs. frequently; such exertion involves the lifting and/or moving of young children in the program, and/or goods and materials within the facility. There is frequent walking, standing, climbing, stooping, bending, and squatting/crouching in an indoor classroom as well as an outdoor environment. The majority of work is performed in a classroom setting with a wide variety of people with differing functions, personalities, and abilities. The office is a non-smoking facility with outside smoking areas. May involve local travel between various program components of FNA and home visits where exposure to extreme weather conditions are likely. Works in an environment where protection of client confidentiality is essential. Position requires cleaning the class area every day, including putting supplies in proper space, cleaning and sanitizing surfaces with bleach solution to disinfect. Personal Protective Equipment will be provided where/when needed. 

 SPECIFICATIONS 

Supervision Received: Position receives supervision from Site Coordinator. Work will be monitored through weekly meetings, monthly reports, and regular communication with your supervisor. General guidelines for operations are based on program requirements and the general policies and procedures of FNA. Supervision Exercised: The incumbent will be expected to train and mentor an Associate Educator/Classroom Aide in best practices and developmentally appropriate Early Childhood Education. Position Impact: Impact at the program level is high. Program’s level of compliance with program standards is directly affected by the effective performance of duties, especially as they relate to providing education services to children and families. Contacts: Contacts include, and not limited to, volunteers, staff, parents, children, and outside agencies. 

 ACKNOWLEDGMENT STATEMENT 

This Job Description describes the essential functions and qualifications. It is not an exhaustive statement of all the duties, responsibilities, or qualifications of the job; and management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, job-related duties. This document is not intended to exclude modifications consistent with providing reasonable accommodation for a disability.

This position will (or may) require you to frequently (or incidentally) drive your personal vehicle for FNA business. Per FNA’s automotive insurance policy, in order to drive a FNA-owned vehicle, an individual must be at least 21 years of age. In order to drive a FNA-owned vehicle with consumers in the vehicle, an individual must be at least 25 years of age. No employee may transport a FNA consumer in a personal vehicle.

Continued employment status will be contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal background investigation and the pre-employment drug testing process. Where required, continued employment status (post job offer) will be contingent upon employee providing certification of annual tuberculosis (TB) screening and medical certification that employee does not, because of infectious or communicable disease, pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of program participants or others in the workplace.

Notice: All employment at the Fairbanks Native Association (FNA) is “at will.” This means the employee or FNA may terminate employment at any time and for any reason. Unless specified in writing, no duration of employment is expressed or implied for this position. Your signature indicates that you have read this Job Description and understand the essential functions of and qualifications for the job.