POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

*Note:

For applicants with extensive qualifications and/or years of experience, hiring range may be exceeded with approval. If approval is granted, it will be based upon careful review of the applicant's qualifications, experience, internal equity and budgetary considerations. The final rate approved will typically never be at a rate equal to or above the established midpoint of the pay range for the position.

Community Action Organization reserves the right to modify, interpret or apply this job description as needed. The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties (including essential duties), and skills to be performed by the employee occupying this position. This job description is not a contract implied or otherwise and the employment relationship remains at-will. The aforementioned requirements may be subject to change to reasonably accommodate qualified persons with disabilities. All positions are contingent upon funding and successful passing of all required background checks, required registry checks, and physical screenings if required.

All staff in positions which regularly require driving either company or personal vehicles while performing work on behalf of Community Action are required to provide Human Resources proof of a valid driver's license for a motor vehicle record check both at hire and annually thereafter. Human Resources will conduct a motor-vehicle record. These records will be held as confidential records in Human Resources. All accidents will be reported to Human Resources within 48 hours.

This job posting is for the 2024-2025 program year and starts on August 26, 2024.

To be eligible to apply for this position, you must be a current active employee of Community Action!

Special Note on Central Background Registry Requirement:

In order to be offered any position within our Head Start program, you must be currently enrolled in Oregon's Central Background Registry. If you are not currently enrolled, you may still be considered for this position, but no offer of employment may be extended to you until this requirement has been completed. For information on how to enroll in Oregon's Central Background Registry, please visit www.childcareinoregon.org or call the Office of Child Care at 1.800.556.6616.

Benefits: All regular full-time (RFT) status positions of 20 hours per week or more year round or part year of .50 FTE or higher are eligible for our outstanding benefits package including:

• Individual Medical with premium covered at 90%
• Free Dental insurance for the employee
• Health care waiving employees are eligible for a health care waiver benefit of $100 per month
• Employer matched retirement dollar for dollar for the first 3%
• Generous paid sick and vacation time
• 13 paid 0bserved holidays
• Free life and long term disability insurance
• Medex travel assistance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Rich and diverse mission-based working environment
• Possible student loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
• Staff meeting program criteria for use of a second language in their position may apply for and if approved qualify for a bilingual pay benefit of $100 per month

Position Summary:

In support of the Agency's mission, the Teacher is responsible for managing and monitoring a Head Start classroom and developing strong nurturing relationships with young children aged 3 to 5 years, including planning and implementing a developmentally appropriate learning environment that includes meaningful experiences that prepares children for success in school environments. In addition, the Teacher promotes a high level of family engagement in their child's learning and encourages them to advocate for the needs of their child(ren); in collaboration with the Family Support Teacher provides high quality services and support to families.

Responsibilities also include knowledge of and compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, Agency/Head Start Policies and Procedures, Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care regulations, and Spark/QRIS standards. The Teacher is responsible for understanding and implementing the appropriate policies and procedures and performance standards as prescribed by the Office of Head Start and the Community Action Head Start Program. The Teacher may be responsible for the direct supervision of assigned teaching staff.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Work with classroom staff to create a learning environment that fosters a sense of belonging, community, purpose, and agency. The community creates caring relationships that value each member, interacting with and among children and families.
• Use Creative Curriculum to create an environment conducive to learning, reflective of the different stages of child development, responsive to cultural backgrounds, and inviting to children and families. Develop and implement weekly lesson plans; collecting and recording objective child observations; support with the planning and implementation of the curriculum and individualized education services to the children in the class.
• Ensure the successful inclusion of all, including children with mental health and/or special needs; work with Early Childhood Special Education staff and partners to identify and provide appropriate services.
• Conduct home visits, parent-teacher conferences and other parent-focused activities to establish a positive link between home and school for families of assigned children and supports the parent(s) as the primary educator of the child.
• Maintain regular communication with families.
• Collaborate with classroom staff to ensure children and families receive comprehensive services from all components within our program.
• In collaboration with all classroom staff, engage in active supervision of the children in accordance with the Active Supervision Policy and Procedure; ensure the required adult-child ratio is always maintained and strictly adhere to all Policies and Procedures, responding to and/or correcting any at-risk safety issues immediately.
• Welcome families, support and facilitate parent engagement opportunities to support parents/guardians' engagement in the program.
• Assist children with toilet learning, including helping children with cleaning and changing when necessary.
• Support staff in meal service delivery in accordance with Food Services Policies and Procedures and Child Care Division Licensing Rules.

Collaborating with the Family Support Teacher

• Develop working knowledge of the Head Start Parent, Family, Community Engagement Framework (PFCE) and the 7 family outcomes: family well-being, positive parent-child relationships, families as lifelong educators and learners, family engagement and connections, and family leadership.
• Develop and maintain a detailed working knowledge of Community Action Head Start Policies and Procedures and Head Start Performance Standards including and not limited to Family Services, Parent Engagement and Policy Council.
• Develop working knowledge of Relationship-Based Competencies (RBCs) for family services professionals in the knowledge, skills, and practices needed to support and promote family engagement.
• Develop a working knowledge of all Policies and Procedures related to Family Services to support the Family Support Teacher in the delivery of high quality family services.
• In collaboration with the Family Support Teacher, provide relationship-based support to assist families in skill development to achieve their family goals including regular follow-up to identify progress, barriers to progress.

Marginal Functions and Responsibilities:

• Generate reports and analyze data as needed to ensure compliance with program requirements or to ensure continuous quality improvement.
• Work occasional evenings.
• Bilingual staff may be required to provide interpretation or translation services on occasion.
• Other duties as assigned to meet program and/or business needs.

Required Education/Training/Experience:

• Education: Minimum of an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education or a field related to Early Childhood Education (as indicated in the Oregon Center for Career Development's Step Registry), sufficient to be placed at Step 9 or higher on the Oregon Registry. Acceptable coursework would be a minimum of 30 quarter college credits or 20 semester college credits in at least 5 Core Knowledge Categories (as defined by Oregon Registry). An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Transcripts, diplomas and/or Oregon Registry Step Certificates are required to validate educational requirements.
• Experience: Minimum of one year of experience teaching in a Certified Child Care Center or comparable group care program in the care of children ages 3-5.
• Access to reliable transportation, valid driver's license, and proof of vehicle insurance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Intermediate computer literacy and familiarity with applications such as databases and spreadsheets, word processing, email and internet.
• Must be able to successfully pass applicable background and Oregon Central Background Registry checks prior to new hire processing and beginning actual employment.
• Completion of appropriate Fit for Duty and TB Testing according to Head Start regulations prior to date of hire.

Preferred:

• Two or more years of experience teaching children ages 3-5.
• Training and/or education in working with children with special needs.
• Fluent verbal and written communication skills in English and another language. For example, Spanish and English with the ability to translate written materials from English to Spanish or Spanish to English.
• Experience with and/or knowledge of Head Start.
• Experience with and/or knowledge of social service systems or non-profit organizations.

Required Licensing or Other Special Certifications:

• Current Oregon Registry Step Certificate (or acquired within 90 days from date of hire).
• Current First Aid/CPR certification (or acquired within 30 days from date of hire).
• Current Oregon Food Handler Card (or acquired within 30 days from date of hire).
• All state licensing requirements for classroom staff (or acquired within 30 days from date of hire).

Required Physical Demands of Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Working conditions include preschool classrooms and periodically in home settings.
• This position includes frequent local and occasional out-of-town travel.
• In a normal workday, may bend, squat, and/or climb frequently. Frequent kneeling, stooping, bending and sitting on the floor or in small chairs.
• Work is light in nature and requires the physical ability to frequently lift and/or carry objects weighing up 40 lbs, and occasionally lift a child with developmental and/or medical needs who may weigh 60 lbs. or more.
• Working Conditions may include unpredictable situations of child and family behavior, cleaning chemicals, contagious conditions.
• Working with office equipment.
• Driving and riding in motor vehicles.
• In a normal workday, may stand/walk __6_ hrs/day; may sit _2_ hrs/day; may drive __2_ hrs/week; may use hands for repetitive grasping, pushing and pulling, typing and fine manipulation 2__ hrs/day; may use hands at or above shoulder level for _1_ hrs/day.

How to Apply for this Position:

• To be considered we must receive a completed Community Action Employment Application form. You are welcome to also include a cover letter and resume at your option. Transcripts may be required for certain positions. Applications can be completed on our internal website: caowash.org, log into the intranet and follow this link: Community Action Internal Job Application Link

Click Above link to be taken to Internal only posted Community Action jobs.

Be sure to submit your application by April 14, 2024.

All application submissions will be acknowledged with a receipt notification. If you are selected for an interview, we will contact you. Only all current Community Action employees are eligible to apply for this position. For current employees, some qualifications may be met by an equivalent combination or education and experience at the discretion of the employer.

COMMUNITY ACTION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Community Action is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or other protected status in accordance with applicable federal and state equal employment opportunity laws. Applicants with disabilities may request accommodation to complete the application and selection process. Please notify Human Resources at least three (3) working days prior to the date of need.

Note: Community Action Organization reserves the right to modify, interpret or apply this job description as needed. The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties (including essential duties), and skills to be performed by the employee occupying this position. This job description is not a contract implied or otherwise and the employment relationship remains at-will. The aforementioned requirements may be subject to change to reasonably accommodate qualified persons with disabilities. All positions are contingent upon funding and successful passing of all required background checks, required registry checks and physical screenings if required.

All staff in positions which regularly require driving either company or personal vehicles while performing work on behalf of Community Action are required to provide Human Resources proof of a valid driver's license for a motor vehicle record check both at hire and annually thereafter. Human Resources will conduct a motor-vehicle record. These records will be held as confidential records in Human Resources. All accidents will be reported to Human Resources within 48 hours.