About the Department and Role

JobTrain’s Child Development Center serves the children of our clients as well as those of other parents in the community. Our teachers use an emergent play-based approach to nurture and stimulate children's development.

We are seeking a lead preschool teacher for current team of preschool teachers. This team of professionals is responsible for overseeing the classroom environment and teaching children including, but not limited to, instruction, evaluation, and parent conferences regarding the development and progression of each child. We serve up to 24 diverse children and use a Play-based Learning Curriculum in an active, team-oriented classroom setting.

Our onsite work schedule is: Monday – Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm

Responsibilities

Team Lead

• Serves as day-to day lead in the classroom.
• Ensures that all records are logged each day.

Instruction

• Plans and implements individual and group activities to stimulate growth and development of children’s language, social-emotional, and motor skills, such as learning to follow basic 2-3 step instructions, supporting healthy interactions with others, and developing physical skills through hands-on-learning/play.
• Develops and carries out lesson plans that are consistent with classroom goals and objectives, based on the California Preschool Curriculum Framework standards.
• Utilizes opportunities to create meaningful teaching moments through adult-child interactions as approved by JobTrain and CLASS standards, including one-on-one, small group, and large group interactions.
• Guides and supports children in activities designed to promote health and safety, social and physical development, and intellectual growth.

Health and Safety

• Develops and maintains an environment to ensure the health and safety of all children in accordance with childcare licensing requirements, such as daily checks of equipment for good repair.
• Participates in the classroom preparation and setup/cleanup, maintaining a regular cleaning and sanitation routine, and regularly rotating classroom materials based on monthly themes.
• Assists children with physical needs.
• Oversees nap and meal setup and cleanup as needed in accordance with the required safety standards and regulations.
• Prepares for and participates in Participates in safety drills (fire drills, emergency evacuation, etc.) to meet CA requirements.

Communications

• Creates and maintains individual accurate records on children’s developmental progress via Desired Results Development Profiles (DRDP: familiar observations with written detailed observations, work samples, and pictures).
• Conducts parent / teacher conferences based on DRDP assessments of children’s development at least two times per school year.
• Maintains additional documentation, such as: daily attendance, safety checklists, monthly fire and disaster drills, food preparation / meal counts, ad hoc documentation needed for other reporting and other paperwork as needed.

Qualifications

We strive to find candidates who have the qualifications for the role, but who are also aligned with our values of teamwork, community and leadership and have a commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion. The specific qualifications for this role are listed below. 

Education / Certifications

• Minimum of 24 ECE or BA with Master Teacher Permit
• A current and valid Child Development Associate (CDA) credential with the appropriate age-level endorsement issued by the CDA National Credentialing Program of the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition
• Current CPR / First Aid certificate
• Current Mandated Reporter certificate (conducted every 2 years)
• Proof of COVID vaccination required (subject to applicable law)
• Proof of negative TB test within the past 12 months
• Proof of Food Safety Training Certificate

Experience

• 1 year of experience in a lead teacher role or at least 3 years of experience in a licensed childcare center or comparable group childcare program.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Job Knowledge: Up-to-date and in-depth knowledge of relevant Federal, State, and local legislation and policies related to childcare, safety and public health; knowledge of Title V requirements, DRDP 2015 and ECERS is preferred. Knowledge of food safety requirements.
• Coaching / Leadership / Initiative: Ability to provide 1-1 coaching to teachers and provide in class leadership for preschool teaching team. Able to independently identify and resolve issues.
• Planning and Organization: Ability to plan and organize age-appropriate curriculum.
• Interpersonal Skills / Communications: Demonstrated passion for connecting with and caring for children; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; ability to interact effectively with children and fellow CDC team members; bilingual (English / Spanish) is a plus, but not required.
• Dependability: Ability to show up for work on time consistently; follow procedures, maintain accurate logs, and perform duties in a timely manner as needed.
• Flexibility: Ability to be professional and flexible to respond to changing needs.
• Physical: Ability to independently lift a child weighing up to 50 lbs. in an emergency; ability to squat, kneel, sit, stand, walk around, interact and intervene at the children's level.
• Computer Skills: Must have basic knowledge of how to use Word, Excel, and other technology and applications necessary to perform the job.

Compensation and Benefits

JobTrain offers a competitive pay and benefits package including health insurance, dental insurance, vision, paid winter break, paid holidays off, paid time off, retirement program employer match, long-term disability and life insurance.

The full pay range for this hourly/non-exempt role is $25.64 - $32.96 per hour. The likely hiring range for this role is $25.96 - $29.30/hour.

Additional Information

We want applicants who are interested in JobTrain’s mission, and we encourage you to attach a cover letter to explain why you are interested in JobTrain and how your experience matches with our needs.

At JobTrain, we take the interview process very seriously. If you are selected to move through the process you should expect a couple of telephone screen calls and one or two Zoom / on-site interviews as part of the interview process.

JobTrain is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Additionally, JobTrain does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, ethnic background, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or national origin.

Also, please note:

• Our focus is on local candidates, we do not offer relocation benefits.
• Successful candidates must have legal residency and work eligibility in the United States (per INS Form I-9 instructions).
• JobTrain will require the successful candidate to undergo a background check.