Head Start Lead Teacher (Stretch Pay)

Jefferson County; Arvada (CO); Hybrid; USD 54,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

PTO and holidays

Retirement matching

Tuition reimbursement

Wellness programs

Job summary

Jefferson County Head Start is seeking a Lead Teacher to support vulnerable children and their families in an inclusive preschool program. You will plan developmentally appropriate activities, incorporate trauma-informed practices, and work with a team to meet Head Start standards.

The role welcomes recent graduates and seasoned educators, offers professional development, and includes a four-day work week with hybrid scheduling to balance in-office and remote work as needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum two (2) years of work-related experience teaching preschool age children.
• Bachelor’s degree in child development, early childhood education (ECE), or related field.
• Equivalency: an associate degree in child development or ECE with minimum of three (3) years of work-related experience.

Responsibilities

• Partner with a multi-disciplinary team to provide services for families including home visits and family conferences.
• Create and implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans for social-emotional development.
• Ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards across education, disabilities, parent involvement, nutrition, health and mental health.
• Conduct observations and screenings, and maintain clear documentation.
• Actively supervise children.
• Support peers by collaborating and sharing experiences to find solutions.

Skills

Preschool teaching experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in child development / ECE

Job description

Job Posting Closes at 11:59PM on: 10/25/26 Division: Head Start Division Management Level: Individual Contributor Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Benefit Eligibility: This position is eligible for Standard Benefits which includes dental, medical, and vision insurance, paid time off and holidays, retirement matching, wellness programs, and tuition reimbursement.

Do you want a career that fulfills your passions and purpose to make a difference in the lives of not only your students, but their families? Do you get excited thinking about working in an inclusive preschool program that provides an opportunity for a greater impact working with vulnerable children and families? Are you passionate about providing extra support to allow students with challenging behaviors to achieve their goals and be successful? Are you looking for professional development and individualized coaching to progress your career? Are you interested in being part of a supportive team to help you learn and grow? If you answered “yes” to these questions, Jefferson County Head Start's Lead Teacher position may be what you've been searching for! The Lead Teacher role is a great opportunity if you are: A recent graduate looking to start your career in early childhood education A seasoned professional or current substitute teacher seeking a full-time, benefited role.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Partnering with a multi-disciplinary team including mental health specialists, special education professionals, and family support workers to provide the best service for our families including home visits, family conferences, and implementation of Individual Education Plans.
• Creating and implementing developmentally appropriate lesson plans, including activities geared toward social-emotional development and utilizing trauma informed care practices based in Creative Curriculum.
• Working with your teaching team to ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards within the classroom including education, disabilities, parent involvement, nutrition, health and mental health, etc.
• Conducting observations, administering development, social, and emotional screenings, and maintaining clear and complete documentation.
• Actively supervising children.
• Supporting peers by collaborating and sharing experiences to finding solutions together.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience: a minimum of two (2) years’ work-related experience teaching preschool age children.
• Education: a bachelor’s degree in child development, early childhood education (ECE), or related field.
• Equivalency Rule: Those with an associate degree in child development or early childhood education (ECE) AND a minimum of three (3) years' work-related experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Driver’s License: Must have a valid driver's license, if you are from out of state, you must obtain a valid Colorado driver's license within 30 days of hire date and you must not have any major violations, nor more than one DUI, DWI, DWAI conviction in the past three years.
• Pre-Employment Screening: Offer of employment contingent on review of child abuse neglect database, fingerprint results, criminal background, sex offender registry, motor vehicle record check, and education verification.
• Accommodations Statement: We encourage people with disabilities to apply and are committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout our hiring process. For assistance with applications, interviews, or other hiring-related accommodations, contact [e-mail]. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot provide application status updates.
• Must be available to work occasional evenings and weekends, and willingness to occasionally travel to assigned Head Start Sites (Arvada or Wheat Ridge).
• Perjury Statement: Any applicant who knowingly or willfully makes a false statement of any material fact or thing in the application is guilty of perjury in the second degree as defined in Section 18-8-503, C.R.S., and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished accordingly.

COMPENSATION

Hiring Range: $54,000.00 - $57,500.00 USD Annual for ten months of work, to be paid over 12 months. Compensation will be determined based on education, experience, and skills. Staff that are fluent in a language other than English may be eligible for additional compensation of $1,500 annually for use of bi-lingual skills. Note: This will be a ten-month working position (stretch) that will be paid for twelve months.

This position operates on our four-day work week (Monday-Thursday). This position is hybrid, with remote work and in-office work as determined by business need.

BENEFITS

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid time off and holidays, including a starting bank of 40 hours of PTO for new hires; retirement matching; wellness programs; tuition reimbursement and more.

Questions? Contact the Jefferson County Recruitment Team at 303-271-8420 or [e-mail]

Jefferson County is an equal opportunity employer, providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons. The County affirms the rights of all employees and applicants for employment to be protected from discrimination, intimidation, physical harm and harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, hairstyle associated with racial identity or any other status protected by Federal or State law.