Head Start Support Instructor

Head Start; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington Elementary School District's Head Start program in Phoenix seeks a friendly Support Instructor to assist with lesson planning, instruction, and maintaining positive behavior for Head Start students.

You will participate in home visits, parent and teacher conferences, and required trainings, collaborating with caseworkers and staff to meet each child’s needs.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Child Development Associate or Certificate within two years of hire.
• Health Exam clearance required prior to hire; TB clearance also.
• AZ Driver’s License required; First Aid and CPR within 30 days.
• Arizona Food Handler’s License required within 30 days.
• IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card required.
• TB/Health clearances and fingerprinting are prerequisites.

Responsibilities

• Assist Head Start Instructor with implementing standards and maintaining documentation.
• Review family progress monthly with caseworker to address health and social needs.
• Maintain relationships with families to encourage participation in the program.
• Assist in developing lessons and instructing students; observe and support responsive play.
• Collaborate with disabilities services staff for children with special needs.
• Maintain classroom supplies and ensure clean, safe learning environments.
• Support positive behavior and assist in screening and referral processes.
• Attend training, meetings, and parental conferences; conduct two home visits per family per year.

Skills

Documentation

Family engagement

Lesson support

Behavior support

Education

High School diploma or GED

Child Development Associate or Certificate

AA in Early Childhood (preferred)

Job description

Head Start Support Instructor

Washington Elementary School District 6 Head Start - Phoenix, Arizona Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Washington Elementary School District

Job Details

Job ID: 5687168

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Re-Posted: May 04, 2026 6:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Aug 3, 2026

Job Description

Pay Grade: L(Non-Exempt Support Staff Salary Placement)

Department: Preschool/Head Start Services

Accountable To: Administrator of Head Start

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Calendar: 211 Days

Creation/Revision Date: January 8, 2024

Summary:

Under direct supervision, incumbent(s) assists with implementing assessing, creating lessons, instructing, and maintaining positive behavior for students in the Head Start program. In addition, incumbent(s) will participate in home visits, parent and teacher conferences, and meetings required by the Head Start program.

Essential Functions:

• Assist the Head Start Instructor with the implementation of the Head Start Performance Standards, District procedures, and other requirements for the Head Start Program. Maintains all necessary documentation to demonstrate compliance with Head Start Performance Standards.


• Assists the Head Start Instructor with reviewing the needs and progress of each family a minimum of once a month. Works in conjunction with the caseworker to meet health and social service needs of those families.


• Maintains a relationship with each family to encourage meaningful participation in the program.


• Assists the Head Start Instructor with assessing students, creating lesson plans, and instructing students.


• Observes students and participates in developmentally appropriate outdoor play activities.


• Works cooperatively with identified disabilities services support staff in the provision of direct services and the development of goals for children with disabilities.


• Maintains and upkeeps classroom supplies, materials, and equipment. Performs clean up services in the classroom when necessary.


• Assists in maintaining standards of acceptable behavior for children using positive methods, which support children’s self esteem.


• Assists in the developmental screening and referral processes with the Head Start instructor and Special Services staff regarding the special needs of students attending the Head Start program.


• Participates in ongoing training designed for Head Start teaching staff and supplemental education training. Attends all scheduled staff meetings and assists the Head Start Instructor with the planing, organizing, and attending parental meetings.


• Assists the Head Start Instructor with conducting a minimum of two home visits and two parent/teacher conferences per family each school year.


• Other job-realted duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

To be eligible for this position, an applicant must meet the following required qualifications. Verification of these required qualifications is necessary.

• Possession of valid High School diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.) prior to hire


• One year of experience in a similar field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job;


• Possess a Child Development Associate or Certificate of Completion or obtain possession within two years of the date of hire.


• Possession of valid Health Examination clearance prior to hire;


• Possession of TB Testing clearance prior to being hire;


• Possession of valid Arizona Department of Transportation Driver’s License;


• Possession of valid First Aid Certification within 30 days of hire;


• Possession of valid CPR Certification within 30 days of hire;


• Possession of valid Arizona Food Handler’s License Certification within 30 days of hire.


• Obtain and maintain a valid Arizona Identity Verified Prints (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card (AZ IVP FPCC).

Preferred Qualifications:

It is preferred that applicant possesses the following preferred qualifications; however, the following qualifications are not required to be eligible for this position.

• Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education or closely related field and one year of experience in a similar field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

Physical Requirements:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and peripheral vision.

Working Conditions:

The working environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Washington Elementary School District is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Civil Rights Act Title VII of 1972, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Washington Elementary School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability or age in employment or in any of its educational programs or in the provisions of benefits and services to students.

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $16.50 to $19.80 Per Hour

Job Categories:

Instructional Support > Individual Aide

Support Staff > Supervisory Aide

Contact Information

• Lydia Garcia


• 4650 W Sweetwater Ave


• Glendale, Arizona 85304


• Phone: [phone]


• Email: [e-mail]