Head Start Floater Teacher

Maricopa County; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 40,000 - 59,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid continuing education and professional development

Health and wellness programs

Paid Child Development Association Certification

Free Office of Head Start membership

Job summary

Maricopa County is seeking a Head Start Floater Teacher in Tempe, Arizona to promote active learning in preschool classrooms. You will implement developmentally appropriate experiences, ensuring a nurturing environment for children.

This role offers paid continuing education and benefits, including health insurance. Candidates with an associate's degree in early childhood education and teaching experience are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

• One year of experience teaching in a licensed childcare or public pre-kindergarten setting.

Responsibilities

• Assumes responsibility for the supervision, care, and welfare of the classroom children.
• Develops and implements age-appropriate child education curriculum.
• Plans classroom experiences tailored to developmental stages and learning styles.

Skills

Bilingual skills in English and Spanish

Education

Associate's degree in early childhood education

Equivalent college degree with 18 credits in early childhood education

Job description

Posting Date

06/24/26

Application Deadline

Open Until Filled

Pay Range

$40,000 - $59,800 annually

Salary offers are based on the candidate's equivalent experience and internal equity with other employees within the same job classification. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Job Type

Contractor with Benefits

Department

Human Services

About the Position

Do you want to make a difference in a child's life? As a Head Start Floater Teacher, you will promote active learning in a preschool classroom by planning and implementing developmentally appropriate, individualized experiences and creating a safe and nurturing environment for children. We will count on you to use cognitive-developmental approaches to enhance the students' language and literacy skills. As a Head Start Floater Teacher, you will also have the opportunity to plan and participate in parent education, parent engagement, and family support activities.

Our classrooms are welcoming and designed for interactive learning by children and their families. We offer a low teacher-to-student ratio of 1:10 with 20 students per classroom, to provide the greatest opportunity for a healthy and effective learning environment. Did we mention the County provides the supplies needed to support our teaching staff? We also offer the opportunity to join a compassionate team of early education professionals who believe in the mission to prepare these children for future school success.

Benefits

• Paid continuing education, professional development, and tuition reimbursement.
• Paid Child Development Association Certification (CDA) that you can earn on the job! With this certification, you can grow in your Head Start career by advancing into our teaching positions.
• Candidates without the required credentials are encouraged to apply for the Teaching Assistant while they earn their CDA.
• Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance card and renewal paid for by Maricopa County.
• Amazing health and wellness programs, including pet insurance! Our health insurance plans are more than competitive, with the option to earn a wellness incentive payback of $60 per month.
• Free Office of Head Start https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ohs membership.

Job Contributions

• Assumes responsibility for the supervision, care, and welfare of the classroom children, to ensure their safety and well-being at all times.
• Develops, organizes, and implements age-appropriate child education curriculum.
• Plans classroom experiences that meet different developmental stages, interests, temperaments, learning styles, languages, and cultural backgrounds.
• Develops and implements a multicultural curriculum that utilizes developmentally appropriate practices that meet the needs and interests of students.
• Ensures compliance with all federal, state, and Office of Head Start Performance Standards regulations, Arizona licensing requirements, and program policies and procedures.
• Respects, values, and supports each child and family background, and facilitates parent participation as equal partners in all aspects of the Educational Plans.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with each family, site team members, community agencies, community partners, and grantee staff members.
• Assists with the recruitment and enrollment of children and families into the Maricopa County EED Program.
• Ensures the classroom environment is safe, clean, orderly, and facilitates growth, development, and learning.
• Assists with maintaining daily communication with parents and assists in conducting a minimum of two educational home visits and two parent/teacher conferences per family each program year.
• Assists in the planning of child transitions into Head Start and out of Head Start to kindergarten.

We Require

• One year of experience teaching in a licensed childcare or public pre-kindergarten setting.
• Associate's degree or higher in early childhood education, child development, or an equivalent college degree with 18 credits in early childhood education, child development, or infant/toddler development.

We Also Value

• Bilingual skills in English and Spanish.
• Experience as a former or current Head Start parent.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in a classroom, playground, and office environment as assigned and is subject to change based on the program's needs.
• Position may have possible exposure to bodily fluids and infectious diseases.
• Position follows either a full-year (213 days) or a partial-year (165 days) schedule, with Birth to Five site classrooms operating Monday through Friday.
• If position is a contracted position, it will follow a part-year 10-month work schedule, that is from 7:30 am – 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
• Ability to stand, sit on the floor, be indoors/outdoors for extended periods, and lift up to 40 pounds.
• Will be required to fill in as a substitute staff member at other program sites.
• Ability to travel to and from job-related locations during a scheduled workday, subject to County policies regarding the use of a County or private vehicle used on County business.
• Valid Arizona driver's license is required upon hire.
• Background check and Arizona Department of Public Safety Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card are required upon hire.
• Must complete a medical exam that includes screening for tuberculosis (TB) upon hire.
• Must obtain a CPR, first aid, and food handler's certification within six weeks of hire.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Maricopa County is an equal opportunity employer and is 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.