Early Head Start Teacher

Maricopa County; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 42,500 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid continuing education

Tuition reimbursement

Comprehensive health insurance

Paid vacation & parental leave

On-site center access

Job summary

Maricopa County is seeking an Early Head Start Teacher to provide developmentally appropriate, individualized experiences for 0‑3 year olds in a nurturing environment. You will plan parent education and family involvement activities while maintaining a low teacher‑to‑student ratio.

The role requires a high school diploma or GED and an Infant/Toddler CDA credential or enrollment in a related degree with 18 credits to finish within six months.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Infant/Toddler CDA credential or enrollment in a related degree with 18 credits to be completed within six months.
• Strong English communication; Spanish may be required for some positions.
• Reliable transportation and willingness to substitute at other sites.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and care for children aged 0–3 years, ensuring safety and welfare.
• Promote physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language development.
• Build positive relationships with families and community partners.
• Develop an age-appropriate curriculum aligned with local and federal standards.
• Maintain health records, attendance, and required data while preserving confidentiality.

Skills

English communication

Spanish proficiency

Education

High school diploma or GED

CDA credential or pursuing associate degree (18 credits in 6 months)

Tools

CPR/First Aid certification

Fingerprint clearance

Food handler certification

Job description

Position Overview

Posting Date: 07/10/26 | Application Deadline: open until filled | Pay Range: $42,500 – $65,000 annually. Salary offers are based on the candidate's equivalent experience and internal equity within the same job classification. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation. Job Type: Unclassified. Department: Human Services.

As an Early Head Start Teacher, you will provide active learning by planning and implementing developmentally appropriate, individualized experiences and by creating a safe and nurturing environment in which 0‑to‑3‑year‑old children can enhance their development and skills. You will also plan and participate in parent education, parent involvement, and family support activities, helping build stronger families and brighter tomorrows for our youngest residents of Maricopa County. The classroom environment is designed for interactive learning by children and families, with a low teacher‑to‑student ratio of 1:4 (8 students per classroom).

Responsibilities

• Supervise, care for, and ensure the safety and welfare of classroom children, ages 0 to 3 years.
• Support and promote each child's physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language development.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with families, site team members, community agencies, partners, and grantee staff.
• Respect and support diverse cultural and family backgrounds, treating each child and parent as an individual and facilitating parent participation as equal partners in educational planning.
• Develop and implement a multicultural, age‑appropriate child education curriculum and experiences using developmentally appropriate practices that meet local and federal standards.
• Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations, including Office of Head Start Performance Standards, Arizona licensing requirements, Child and Adult Care Food Program guidelines, and CACFP record‑keeping.
• Maintain accurate records of child health, observations, lesson plans, attendance, meal counts, parent involvement, family support, and other required data, while preserving confidentiality.
• Conduct formal developmental assessments, analyze results, and work with parents to develop Education Plans.
• Participate in developing and implementing Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP) for children with disabilities and plan classroom experiences to support those plans.
• Carry out authorized emergency and safety procedures, including first aid and CPR, as needed.

Qualifications

• One year of experience teaching in a licensed childcare or public pre‑kindergarten setting.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Currently possess an Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, or be enrolled in a program that leads to at least an associate's degree or higher in early childhood education, child development, infant/toddler development, or a related field, with 18 credits to be completed within six months of hire.
• Strong communication skills in English; Spanish proficiency may be required for some positions.
• Reliable transportation and willingness to fill in as a substitute at another program site.
• Must obtain a Level 1 APS fingerprint clearance card, a CPR/first aid/food handler's certification within six weeks of hire, and a medical exam including tuberculosis screening.

Benefits

• Paid continuing education, professional development, and tuition reimbursement.
• Child Development Association (CDA) certification earned on the job.
• Comprehensive health insurance with options for wellness incentive payback ($60 per month).
• Pet insurance and other wellness programs.
• Free Office of Head Start membership (https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ohs).
• Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave.
• Work‑life balance, defined retirement benefits with 11.98% payroll contribution and 100% employer match on day one.
• Low‑cost, high‑value healthcare and child care benefits, including access to an on‑site center and Maricopa County Kids Club.

Work Conditions

• Classroom, playground, and office environment, subject to program needs.
• Possible exposure to bodily fluids and infectious diseases.
• Full‑year schedule of 2,088 hours annually (Monday‑Friday, Birth‑to‑Five sites).
• Ability to stand, sit on the floor, be indoors/outdoors for extended periods, and lift up to 40 pounds.
• May require travel to job‑related locations during scheduled workdays.

Selection Procedure

Consideration is given only to candidates who submit online applications through Workday. Applicants will be contacted primarily via email. Final selection requires passing a pre‑employment background and/or fingerprint investigation, drug and alcohol screening as needed.

Equal Opportunity

Maricopa County is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process or to perform the essential functions of the position under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact [e-mail] to initiate the interactive process.