Head Start Associate Mentor - 2 Vacancies

Tacoma Public Schools (WA); Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits

Job summary

Tacoma Public Schools in Tacoma, WA is seeking a dedicated mentor for Head Start services. The role supports direct service staff, coordinates family involvement, and guides curriculum planning to align with developmentally appropriate practices.

The position requires an Associate’s degree in ECE or WA teaching certification with ECE endorsement, plus two years’ experience with preschool children. Travel within the community and a flexible schedule may be involved.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in early childhood education or Washington State teaching certification with ECE endorsement; two years’ experience working with pre‑school children, preferably from low‑income families; Head Start or ECEAP experience desired.

Responsibilities

• Mentor direct service staff by modeling effective classroom environments and schedules; teach staff to integrate health, nutrition, and safety into daily activities.
• Assist direct service staff in promoting parent involvement and carrying out family services plans.
• Foster learning and literacy development of young children.
• Guide staff in preparing daily activity plans and selecting activities based on observation and screening.
• Train and mentor staff to record and track students’ developmental progress.
• Train and mentor staff to promote parent/family participation and train volunteers in positive interaction with children.
• Collaborate with staff to involve parents in program planning and communication with families.
• Maintain documentation and confidential records; submit reports as requested.
• Follow process when making referrals for special needs; support from DCYF as needed.
• Attend meetings and trainings to stay current on Early Childhood Education and Head Start standards.
• Assist in developing annual Head Start work plans, policies, and procedures; improve program quality.

Skills

Mentoring

Staff training

Communication

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Associate's degree in ECE

Washington teaching certificate with ECE endorsement

Job description

Tacoma Public Schools

Expected Start Date: As soon as possible

FTE: 1.0

Hours per day: 8 plus a 30-minute lunch

Salary Level:
PA 7A/01 No degree: 36.03
PA 7E/01: AA Degree: 36.78
PA 7F/01: BA Degree or Higher: 37.03

Benefits: This position has a full range of benefits.

This position serves as a mentor to direct service staff in the area of Child Development, Family/Community partnerships, and health services. This position also assists in the planning and delivery of training in all aspects of the Head Start program and serves on the Head Start management team.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Mentors direct service staff by modeling and teaching effective classroom learning environments and schedules; teaches staff to integrate health, nutrition, and safety components into daily activities.

2. Assists direct service staff in how to promote parent involvement and carry-out family services plans.

3. Assists direct service staff in fostering learning and literacy development of young children.

4. Guides staff in the preparation of daily activity plans which enable students to function as individuals and group members among peers and adults; teaches staff to select individualized and group activities based on information gathered through observation, interviewing, and screening.

5. Trains and mentors’ staff to record and track students’ developmental progress.

6. Trains and mentors’ staff in how to promote and plan parent/family participation in learning activities, and how to train volunteers in techniques for positive interaction with children in classroom and at home through modeling and effective management techniques and utilization of behavior management tools.

7. Works with direct service staff to involve parents in program planning, to support home activities, to participate in parent meetings, to help establish and maintain a system of communication with families.

8. Maintains documentation of program activities and confidential records of interactions with staff; submits reports and/or records as requested.

9. Works with direct service staff in following the appropriate process when making a referral upon recognition of a special need with a child or family.

10. Attends a variety of meetings, classes, workshops, seminars, and other training sessions to ensure knowledge of current developments in Early Childhood Education, developmentally appropriate practices, family/community partnerships, and Head Start Performance Standards.

11. Assists in the development and implementation of annual Head Start work plans, policies, and procedures, and training plans; and works with direct service staff to improve program quality for students and families.

OTHER JOB DUTIES

1. Performs related duties as assigned, on a temporary basis.

2. Maintains and updates knowledge and skills necessary for success in the position by attending meetings, workshops, and/or other in-service activities, as assigned.

3. Regular, reliable, predictable attendance or physical presence is an essential job requirement and critical to the performance of the work.

CONDITIONS

May work flexible hours; longer workday required to travel within community to homes and agencies; may be exposed to infectious disease; may be required to deal with, and defuse, if appropriate, sensitive situations and/or people; may be required to lift and carry up to 20 pounds, bend, squat, stoop, kneel, crouch, walk, twist, climb, and/or be mobile.

Education and Experience

Associate’s degree in early childhood education or Washington State teaching certification with ECE endorsement; two years’ experience working with pre‑school children, preferably from low‑income families, desired; prior Head Start or ECEAP experience is desired; or any combination of experience and training which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the work.

Licenses/Special Requirements

Fingerprints and successful Washington State Patrol (WSP), FBI background, and sexual misconduct clearances required.
Current CPR and First Aid certification required, or ability to obtain certification within 30 days of employment.
Food Handler’s Card within four weeks of employment.
Valid Washington State driver’s license with access to personal transportation.
An occupational health screening is required within the first 30 days of employment and periodically thereafter.
May include Portable Background (DCYF) clearance for some early learning programs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of applicable Early Learning program and ability to support the philosophy and components of the program.
Knowledge of childhood academic, social, emotional, and physical development.
Knowledge of early childhood education and child development.
Knowledge of child assessment and observation methods.
Knowledge of community resources related to family needs.
Skill in problem solving and handling crisis situations.
Skill in obtaining, clarifying, and exchanging information.
Skill in basic computer word processing.
Skill in effective child and group management strategies.
Ability to relate positively with families and small children.
Ability to demonstrate reasonable, reliable, and regular attendance.
Ability to plan preschool curriculum to meet individual and group needs.
Ability to support the philosophy and components of the program.
Ability to lift and carry students, sit, stoop, bend, and run.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to produce and maintain documentation and records.
Ability to work with special needs students and adapt to curriculum.
Ability to organize and promote parent education.
Ability to prioritize, coordinate, and multi‑task.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people in a multi‑cultural, diverse socio‑economic setting.
Ability to work as a cooperative team member.
Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate activities.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.