Center Floater

The Opportunity Alliance; Portland (ME); On-site; USD 19,000 - 25,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent medical benefits

403(b) retirement with generous agency

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

The Opportunity Alliance is seeking a Part-time Center Floater for Head Start/Early Head Start in the Portland area. The role supports classroom staff to ensure a safe, nurturing, and stimulating learning environment for children birth to age 5, in line with Head Start standards and state licensing rules.

Responsibilities include providing coverage as needed, collaborating with teams, and upholding the agency's commitment to social justice and family engagement.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent, or pursuing CDA within 2 years of hire.
• CDA or equivalent, or an Associate’s degree in ECE or a Baccalaureate in any area preferred.
• 1 year of center-based teaching, early intervention, home visiting, or related work with infants/toddlers/preschoolers.
• Knowledge of the role of culture in child and family development.
• Ability to work with complex information to address challenging situations.
• Ability to work effectively with teams.
• Commitment to social justice and the Head Start mission.
• Background checks: criminal, child protective services, and sex offender checks; not on suspension/disbarment list.
• Pre-employment physical and TB screen; MMR and TDAP immunizations up to date.
• Physical ability to exert effort lifting up to 25 pounds; driving may be required occasionally.

Responsibilities

• Provide staff coverage as needed in center-based classrooms.
• Assist classroom staff to maintain a safe, nurturing, and stimulating learning environment.
• Comply with Head Start Performance Standards, State licensing, and NAEYC standards.
• Work primarily in the Portland area as part of Center Floater coverage.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Cultural awareness

Adaptability

Social responsibility

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

CDA or equivalent

Associate’s degree in ECE

Baccalaureate degree in any area

Job description

Center Floater Head Start / Early Head Start ** Portland area ** Head Start promotes the school readiness of young children from low-income families through local programs. Head Start and Early Head Start programs support the mental, social, and emotional development of children from birth to age 5. The Center Floater is responsible for providing staff coverage, where and when needed, in order to assist classroom staff in maintaining a safe, nurturing, and stimulating learning environment, primarily in a center-based classroom, for the overall growth and development of children & families in accordance with the Family and Early Childhood Education program plan, Head Start Performance Standards, State of Maine licensing rules, and NAEYC Accreditation Standards.

Schedule: Part-time, Monday through Friday, year-round.

Location: Portland

Qualifications:

• A high school diploma or equivalent or be attending high school or be enrolled in a GED preparation program, or be enrolled in a CDA credential program (all must be completed within 2 years of hire).
• A CDA or equivalent, or an Associate’s degree in ECE or equivalent, or Baccalaureate in any area preferred.
• 1 year of center-based teaching, early intervention, home visiting or community based work related to infants/toddlers, preschoolers, & their families preferred.
• Knowledge of the important role that culture plays in child & family development.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with complex information to address challenging situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with teams.
• Commitment to social justice and the mission of Head Start.
• Contracts that have Rider D: Must be able to able to successfully pass a criminal background, child protective service check & sex offender check.
• Must not be on the state or federal suspension and disbarment list.
• ECE employee must be able to pass pre-employment physical and TB screen.
• ECE must be current on MMR and TDAP immunizations.
• Must be able to exert significant physical effort with frequent standing, walking, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, typing and frequently lift and carry small children or material weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Driving may be necessary to attend meetings and trainings but is not a primarily and essential job responsibility.

Benefits:

Our benefits include but are not limited to: (offered to full-time and part-time employees)

• Generous paid time off accrual 9 paid holidays per calendar year and up to 3 floating holidays per calendar year
• Excellent medical benefits at very reasonable cost
• Dental and Vision insurance options
• Agency paid basic life insurance and STD & LTD disability insurances
• 403(b) retirement with a generous agency match (all employees are eligible)
• Tuition Reimbursement - offered once per year through an application process
• The Opportunity Alliance (TOA) is a qualified employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. To learn more about our benefits please visit, https://www.opportunityalliance.org/explore-our-benefits

Who we are...

The Opportunity Alliance is "Helping People Reach for a Brighter Future".

Mission:

The Opportunity Alliance works with people to build better lives and stronger communities. We provide advocacy, leadership, and support to identify the goals and address the needs of individuals, families, and communities.

The Opportunity Alliance (TOA) is a dynamic, results-focused Community Action Agency providing approximately 50 integrated community-based and clinical programs serving more than 20,000 people annually throughout the state of Maine.

With over 50 years of experience, TOA draws from a comprehensive set of programs which address issues such as mental health, substance use, homelessness, lack of basic needs, and access to community supports.

Through an extensive array of services, TOA provides opportunities for individuals to stabilize fragile situations and then works with them to achieve self-sufficiency.

TOA is client-focused with extensive experience working with diverse client populations.

TOA programming includes four key sectors of service:

• Mental Health & Wellness
• Community Building
• Family & Early Childhood Education
• Economic Resources

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To build better lives and stronger communities across Maine, The Opportunity Alliance supports people with the programs and resources they need to improve their health, safety, and stability.

The Opportunity Alliance envisions a community in which all people in Maine have access to high-quality childcare and early childhood education programs, safe and stable housing, effective and compassionate mental health and substance use treatment, and basic needs supports.

Why Work for TOA Employee Testimonials Explore our Benefits For general inquiries: [e-mail]

Administrative Office: 50 Lydia Lane South Portland, ME 04106