Early Education Teacher

Gila River Indian Community; Sacaton (AZ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Gila River Indian Community seeks an Early Education Teacher to deliver developmentally appropriate instruction for infants to preschoolers within a Head Start program. You will ensure safety, implement planned activities, and document progress while engaging with families and staff.

The role requires collaboration with caregivers, adherence to confidentiality, and ongoing participation in professional development and trainings to support culturally diverse activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Childhood Development or closely related field with 1 year of infants/toddlers experience.
• Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Childhood Development or closely related field with 2 years of infants/toddlers experience.
• CDA credential or equivalent with 2 years of infant/toddler experience.

Responsibilities

• Care, safety, and supervision of all children at all times.
• Develop and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum.
• Document observations and maintain records.
• Communicate with parents and staff about child development and progress.
• Maintain confidentiality and follow Head Start Performance Standards.

Skills

Child development

Lesson planning

Inclusion & special needs

Behavior guidance

Documentation & reporting

Communication (verbal/written)

Health, nutrition, CPR/First Aid

Classroom supervision

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field

Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field

CDA or equivalent credential

Job description

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The Early Education Teacher is responsible for direct delivery of services designed to meet the physical and developmental needs of the children of the Gila River Indian Community. Work contacts include staff, volunteers, and parents.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide for the care, safety, protection and supervision of all children in the group at all times. Maintains scheduled center activities, follows lesson plans, and documents accordingly. Completes and maintains all necessary documentation to demonstrate compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards and other regulations.
• Develops and implements a developmentally appropriate curriculum for children based on the individual interests, needs, and abilities of the children in the classroom and the group as a whole. Considers goals and objectives for each child and for the group as a whole and develops realistic lesson plans responsive to the needs of all. Creates an environment and implements the daily curriculum, which reflects a developmentally appropriate anti-bias, multicultural approach.
• Demonstrate verbally and through role modeling, a sound knowledge of appropriate child guidance, growth and development.
• Participate in staff meetings and on-going professional and in-service training.
• Provide information to parents regarding their children as well as general child development information.
• Reports suspected abuse/neglect/maltreatment and other social service related incidents to appropriate supervising staff.
• Make daily observations of children documenting behaviors and/or health problems, reports and referrals of any conditions needing attention; does child assessments in accordance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards.
• Adhere to program confidentiality policies concerning information about children, families, and other staff members;
• Promote cultural awareness and cultural diverse activities for children.
• Maintain daily attendance and meal count for child and adult food program. Serve food to children during meal/snack time observing appropriate portion sizes according to age.
• Maintains the cleanliness of the classroom by following the ECE Policy for classrooms, which includes, but is not limited to, putting materials away each day and cleaning tables before and after meals and activities. Arranges the physical environment to make it safe, healthy, interesting, and developmentally appropriate. Oversees maintenance and upkeep of classroom supplies, materials, and equipment. Obtains needed supplies and materials for the classroom. Maintain feeding requirements for infants through 11 months according to CACFP.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY:

• Knowledge of special needs children and inclusion.
• Knowledge of lesson planning and individualizing.
• Knowledge of nutrition, health, first aide, and CPR.
• Knowledge of infant/toddler growth and development, age appropriateness and behavior.
• Ability to physically participate in children’s activities, lift children and equipment and get up and down with ease.
• Ability to instruct other adults by role modeling, appropriate interactions with infants and toddlers.
• Ability to meet the social/emotional, physical and developmental needs of individual infants and toddlers.
• Ability to oversee small and large groups of children at the same time.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, Community Officials and the public.
• Ability to perform all physical requirements of the position; agree to maintain a Drug-free workplace.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Childhood Development or closely related field and one (1) year of experience working with infants and toddlers in a group setting; or
• Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Childhood Development or closely related field and two (2) years of experience working with infants and toddlers in a group setting; or
• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or comparable credential, or have equivalent coursework in early childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development; and two (2) years of experience working with infant/toddlers in a group setting.

Internal Employees within the Early Education/Child Care Center:

• Early Education Teachers who have two (2) years of experience working with children 0-5 years in a group setting. Must provide proof of course enrollment in a CDA, Associate or Bachelor’s Degree program for Early Childhood Education by the end of the 90-day probationary period; Candidate will provide semester updates and submit proof of completion of course within three (3) years from date of hire.
• Candidates that do not have a Bachelor’s degree must be enrolled or willing to enroll in an accredited college or university leading to a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Childhood Development or closely related field.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT:

• [Specific to positions regulated by the Gila River Indian Community Child Care Facilities Ordinance: Must be twenty-one (21) years of age or older]
• Current Food Handler Certification (i.e., GRIC, ServSafe, etc.) or obtain within 60 days of employment.
• Maintain current CPR & First Aid Certification or obtain certification within 60 days of employment.
• Copy of current Fingerprint Clearance Card must be provided when applying for this position and must be maintained throughout employment.
• Required to pass a background check and fingerprint clearance as a condition of employment and must continue to maintain throughout duration of employment. Background checks are required for positions that involve regular contact with or control over Community Children in accordance with The Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act, 25 U.S.C. Sections 3201 through 3210 and C.F.R. Part 63 and positions that have regular contact with the Elderly.
• Must pass an Initial Health Examination and a TB skin test; provide proof/results, including updated immunizations records prior to hire date.
• Require mandatory reporter pursuant to Title 7, Chapter 2 (7.205), B.
• Required to attend Title 7 Mandatory Reporting training on a yearly basis.
• Required to obtain a Tribal Operator’s permit. Valid state driver’s license with a current proof of driving record for the past 39 months will be required to qualify for a tribal driving permit. Proof of driving record must be submitted with application and must not be more than 60 days old from the date of submission of the application.

Non-Supervisory, Salaried Position Reports to Director or designee