Infant Toddler Teacher

Benefits: This is a benefit-eligible position that include:

• employer-paid health insurance
• low-cost voluntary benefit options such as dental, vision, accident, critical, life insurance & long-term disability insurance
• paid vacation & personal leave
• paid holidays
• 401 k eligible after 1 year of employment.
• Ravalli Head Start Inc. qualifies as a public student loan forgiveness employer!

JOB SUMMARY: This position is responsible for the development, implementation, and supervision of center-based activities. Responsibilities also include the completion of child assessments and working closely with families for individualized programming.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

1. Supervised by the Early Childhood Development/Disabilities Manager

2. Works closely with other staff.

3. Has frequent contact with parents, families, and community partners.

PROFESSIONALISM/HUMAN RELATIONS

1. Must maintain confidentiality. Use discretion and confidentiality with matters of families and program as appropriate. A signed confidentiality agreement form is required.

2. Establish and maintain a relationship of trust with Early Head Start families.

3. Establish and maintain professional boundaries with families when handling program and personal issues.

4. Communication techniques and expectations:

• Model effective communication
• Use appropriate channels and staff to problem-solve and refer families.
• Meet problem situations with understanding and diplomacy.
• Use a professional attitude and approach to working with parents, families, co-workers and community volunteers.
• Participate and promote a positive working relationship with all staff and Early Head Start families.

WORK PLACE CONDUCT
1. Must attend and actively participate in required meetings, workshops, trainings, in-service trainings, committees, etc.

2. Initiate and assume responsibility for own learning to keep current of job related issues and best practices.

3. Seek training and/or assistance to implement improvements when needed.

4. Support all program activities, know and promote the goals and objectives of Ravalli Head Start Inc. Be familiar with and adhere to the Head Start Program Performance Standards.

5. Be familiar with and adhere to Program Policies and Procedures.

6. Cooperate with co-workers and respect their opinions and contributions. Share materials and ideas readily with co-workers.

7. Able to manage time and prioritize a busy schedule.

8. Able to practice stress management that is job related.

9. Be prepared and punctual for meetings and work.

10. To ensure continuity of care and in respect for co-workers, consistent attendance is required.

11. Communicate with supervisor and co-workers as appropriate if an absence is necessary.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepare and maintain center environment for daily activities.
• Prepare center-based lesson plans.
• Guide the work of the Assistant I/TT, Substitute Teachers, and volunteers while in the classroom.
• Develop family partnership agreements that identify strengths, goals and needs of EHS families on assigned caseload.
• Plan, schedule, and complete, bi-annual home visits and bi-annual conferences on time.
• Perform developmental assessment and screening of infants and toddlers within required time frame.
• Participate with planning, implementation, and evaluation of individual and group activities in the center.
• Collect assessment and evaluation data at appropriate times and on schedule.
• Provide a homelike nurturing environment for infants and toddlers in the center.
• Use effective teaching practices, appropriate teacher/child interactions, and proper supervision techniques with all infants and toddlers as per best practices and RHS, Inc. policies and procedures.
• Plan and implement center-based curriculum that is developmentally and culturally appropriate for each family.
• Maintain a sanitary and safe environment for infants and toddlers by cleaning, sanitizing (with chemicals), organizing, moving toys, and equipment, trash removal, laundry, and sweeping. Additional duties may include raking, shoveling, and movement of equipment on outdoor playground.
• Notify Early Childhood/Dev Disabilities Manager of education supplies needed.
• Encourage parents and families to participate in parent involvement activities the program offers.
• Supervise all group activities, mealtime and outdoor activities.
• Involve parents and families in the educational activities of the program to enhance their role as the principle influence on their infant/toddler’s education and development and to increase their understanding, skills and experience in child growth and development.
• Provide resources and support to enhance parent/child relationships and parent’s knowledge of hygiene, nutrition, child development, guidance, nurturing, dental health and safety.
• Implement transition activities to provide seamless services for families and children into Head Start or other placements determined by the family.
• Collaborate with Family and Community Partnership staff and community agencies to access prevention and intervention programs and services to meet the needs of families.
• Be prepared and on time for required staffing, education meetings, and all other meetings and trainings. Ensure designated follow-up is complete.
• Maintain accurate and current health records of enrolled children.
• Inform Health and Nutrition Manager of each child’s on-going health status.
• Involve parents and families in the health process by providing information about health screenings.
• Notify parents and families of screening results and track follow-up care.
• Assist as needed in scheduling appointments for families with community agencies.
• Communicate with supervisor regarding home visitation schedule.
• Any other duties assigned per request of Early Childhood Development/Disabilities Manager, Executive and/or Deputy Director.

RECORDKEEPING

1. Maintain accurate, objective records in Child Plus and update those records as necessary and on schedule.

2. Maintain updated documentation which includes lesson plans, assessments,

family partnership agreements, HELP documentation, and other program documentation.

3. Document pertinent information and submit to appropriate staff.

4. Oversee collection of In-Kind records of assigned case load and submit monthly.

5. Submit bi-monthly time sheets, attendance reports, and monthly travel forms in a timely manner.

6. Complete and submit other documents as required.

TRAINING

1. Attend in-service training as scheduled, including required state childcare licensing training and Montana STARS to Quality trainings within the designated time frame.

2. Obtain First Aid and CPR certification during probationary period and keep current.

3. Obtain knowledge of state and federal regulations pertaining to child abuse and neglect and abide by reporting standards.

4. Apply to the Early Childhood Project’s Practitioner Registry within 15 days of hire and remain current on the registry.

5. When applicable, complete CDA training and obtain Infant Toddler CDA credential within one year of hire date. Maintain certification thereafter.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

1. Must have a valid Montana Driver’s License, an acceptable driving record, and proof of auto insurance.

2. Must have a telephone or other means of immediate communication.

EDUCATION

Minimum of a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or comparable credential, and training or equivalent coursework in early childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development. Preference will be given for individuals with knowledge of Family Systems.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

1. Ability to maintain confidential information

2. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work well with staff, infants and toddlers, parents, families, and outside agencies

3. Ability to be flexible, open-minded, and to take direction well

4. Knowledge of infant & toddler development and assessment

5. Ability to implement and follow plans

SPECIAL AND/OR PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

Essential physical requirements:

1. Ability to work with cleaning/sanitizing chemicals and equipment

2. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds

3. Sufficient mobility and strength to repeatedly sit, stand, carry infant/toddlers, balance, stoop, walk, bend, reach, kneel, crouch, crawl and have full range of body motion

4. Clear vision for close tasks such as working with computers, keyboards, screens, and paper documents

5. Sufficient manual dexterity and eye hand coordination to perform job duties

6. Must provide proof of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccination and documentation of receipt of a Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) vaccination.

7. Pursuant to the Interim Final Rule on Masking and Vaccination issued by the Federal Office of Head Start, all employees must have received or be willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccination by the date of hire.

8. The position is within a business office and child care setting with computers, printers, miscellaneous office equipment and varying noise levels.

9. Have reliable transportation to ensure consistent attendance and to travel to home visits, if necessary.

10. May be required to work outside of regular business hours as necessary and to meet the needs of individual families.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.17 - $23.03 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to Commute:

• Missoula, MT 59803 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Missoula, MT 59803: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18 - $23