Head Start Teacher Associate (10-month, Stretch position)

Jefferson County; Arvada (CO); On-site; USD 26,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

PTO and holidays

Retirement matching

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Jefferson County Head Start is seeking a Teacher Associate to support Lead Teacher in a classroom of 15–20 children, implementing curriculum and ensuring Head Start standards are met. Ten-month position, paid over twelve months, with health, dental, vision, PTO, retirement matching, and tuition reimbursement.

Qualifications include a High School Diploma or GED and one year of experience, CDA credential or enrollment in CDA program, CPR/First Aid/ADE certification, or enrollment in related degree

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• CDA credential (or in CDA program) required or preferred.
• Enrolled in a program leading to an associate's or bachelor's degree.
• CPR/First Aid/ADE certification required or preferred.

Responsibilities

• Implementation of Creative Curriculum.
• Developing lesson plans.
• Administering development, social and emotional screenings.
• Conducting observations and notation of documentation.
• Actively supervising children.
• Teaching developmentally appropriate practices and utilizing trauma informed care.
• Ensuring compliance with Head Start performance standards within classroom.
• Collaborating with SPED and family support teams.
• Engaging families with home language support strategies.
• Maintaining MTSS goals and data collection for referrals.

Education

High School Diploma or GED

CDA credential

Enrolled in CDA credential program

Associate or bachelor's degree program

CPR/First Aid/ADE Certified

Job description

Job Posting Closes at 11:59PM on: 08/27/26

Division: Head Start

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 all-inclusive preschool program that provides an opportunity for agreater 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 forprofessional developmentandindividualized coachingto 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 Teacher Associate position may be what you've been searching for!

The Teacher Associate role is a great opportunity if you are:

• Currently enrolled in a childhood development program and need to log hours in the classroom
• Or a recent graduate looking to start your career

Check out this video to see what it is like to work at Head Start!

Head Start is a no cost, all-inclusive, child-focused and family-centered preschool program for children ages 3‑5. A range of individualized services in the areas of education, early childhood development, medical, dental, mental health, nutrition, family support, and parent education.We strive to provide equitable and inclusive services and support to the diverse community we serve.

The Head Start Teacher Associate will support the Lead Teacher in classroom duties in a classroom of 15‑20 children, implementing curriculum, and maintaining compliance with Head Start Performance standards including education, disabilities, parent involvement, nutrition, health and mental health.

SCHEDULE: This is a ten-month working position from August through May (stretch) that will be paid over twelve months.

COMPENSATION

• Hiring Range: $19.20 - $20.65 USD
• Hourly Compensation will be determined based on education, experience and skills.
• Stretch Position: Please note, this will be a ten-month working position (stretch) that will be paid over twelve months. Compensation will be determined based on education, experience, and skills.

Bilingual Skillset: Staff that are fluent in a language other than English may be eligible for additional compensation for use of bilingual skills.

BENEFITS

Jefferson County offers a generous benefits package that supports your personal and professional life. Benefits include 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, flexible schedules, and more. For more information, click Here for our Total Rewards summary.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Implementation of Creative Curriculum
• Developing lesson plans
• Administering development, social and emotional screenings
• Conducting observations and notation of documentation
• Actively supervising children
• Teaching developmentally appropriate practices and utilize trauma informed care
• Ensuring compliance with Head Start performance standards within the classroom including education, disabilities, parent involvement, nutrition, health, and mental health
• 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
• Supporting peers by collaborating and sharing experiences to finding solutions together
• Use specific strategies with families to provide home language support to all English language learners
• Abide by Colorado Adult and Child Food Program Guidelines to offer family style dining for each meal served during the school day to ensure rich conversations and language development opportunities
• Collaborate with the Special Education Team (SPED) to support children with IEP’s and track progress on their specific goals
• Create MTSS (Multi-tiered Systems of Support) goals for children that may have a suspected developmental delay and collect the necessary data needed to support SPED referrals
• Attend IEP meetings in the absence of the Lead Teacher
• Build family engagement and develop relationships with families through ongoing interactions that are responsive to the strengths, interests, needs, and culture of the family
• Support the Lead Teacher, as the child’s first educator, in conducting family visits throughout the year including a visit prior to the child’s first day of school to partner with the parent and a conference with the family in the spring to reflect on the school experiences of the child and the family
• Assist with the data collection required for the Lead Teacher to be able to review child outcomes and set new developmental goals for two family conferences throughout the school year
• Conduct family visits and family conferences in the absence of the Lead Teacher
• Assist with raising match funds for the program by supporting families in tracking learning opportunities at home that are connected to the learning taking place in the classroom
• Help identify families that could benefit from partnering with Jeffco Prosperity Partners to gain specialized supports to obtaining self-sufficiency
• Participate in two weeks of annual professional and educational development
• Participate in on-going monthly opportunities focused on trauma informed care, social determinants of health, family engagement, and diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Work ongoing with supervisor to make progress towards identified current and long-term career goals
• Attend monthly group coaching sessions to collaborate and learn from specialists and peers
• Maintain credential in Colorado Shines Professional Development Information System (PDIS)
• Performs other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Research shows that women and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups tend to apply only when they check every box in the posting. If you are reading this and hesitating to click “apply” for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! A true passion and excitement for making an impact is just as important as work experience.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED and one year of experience
• Enrolled in a CDA credential program to be completed within two years of employment (Hours working in the classroom may be used for teaching hours required for CDA)
• Child Development Associate credential (CDA), or State awarded certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements for CDA credential
• OR enrolled in a program leading to an associate's or bachelor's degree
• CPR/First Aid/ADE Certified by State of Colorado

Preferred knowledge, skills and abilities

• One - two years of experience in a classroom or center focusing on early childhood education or development
• Experience implementing social and emotional learning (SEL) curriculum in a preschool setting
• Strong written and verbal communication and ability to utilize computer programs for documentation

Criminal History and MVR Background Checks are required for every position. Offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of criminal history, motor vehicle report, education verification, and/or references. A valid Colorado driver’s license is required for positions that drive on County Business in either a county or personal vehicle shall have a Colorado Driver’s license within 30-days of hire or beginning to serve as an intern or volunteer. In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

All Jefferson County Employees must apply through their internal profile. 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.

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.

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.

Research shows that women and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups tend to apply only when they check every box in the posting. If you are reading this and hesitating to click “apply” for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! A true passion and excitement for making an impact is just as important as work experience.