Head Start Teacher Floater - Choctaw, Pushmataha and McCurtain Counties

LIFT Community Action Agency, Inc.; Hugo (OK); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading community action agency is seeking a Head Start Teacher Floater to create a safe and engaging learning environment for children. The role involves assisting classroom staff, managing transitions between centers, and ensuring compliance with educational standards. Candidates must have an Associate’s Degree in Child Development and be prepared to work collaboratively with parents and staff.

Qualifications

• Must maintain first aid and CPR certification.
• Reliable transportation and valid driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Assist in lesson planning and classroom management.
• Supervise children and maintain safety standards.
• Work with children with disabilities.

Skills

Child Development

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Associate’s Degree in Child Development

Job description

JOB SUMMARY:

The Head Start Teacher Floater position will perform day to day duties of center staff as needed to assist in creating and managing a safe, attractive, warm, and challenging learning environment for children and families. As needed will transition between centers to meet ratio requirements and assist classroom staff by replacing absent staff, giving breaks, or enhancing one on one work with children. Maintain regular attendance. This is a safety sensitive position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Understand and carryout all requirements of Head Start Program Performance Standards, OKDHS Licensing Requirements, CACFP Regulations, and any other necessary governing regulations.
• Assume lead teacher responsibilities in the absence of the lead teacher.
• Assist in lesson planning as needed.
• Assist in ensuring appropriate classroom management.
• Assist in completing all required screenings.
• Assist center staff in preparation for class by setting up equipment, supplies and materials to be used each day.
• Greet parents and children pleasantly and appropriately, ensuring a smooth transition into the classroom. Supervise children as they arrive and depart the Head Start Center. Maintain ongoing professional and appropriate communication with parents.
• Help set up and maintain an appropriate classroom environment, including organization of space and material storage.
• Help supervise field trips and recreational activities both in and out of the center and ensure correct child to staff ratio.
• Supervise activities such as playground, dining room and bathroom activities.
• Work with children with disabilities and/or children whose developmental age/stage may be delayed, i.e. toilet-training, diaper changing, and additional therapy procedures.
• Occasionally the Teacher Floater will be asked to work in the kitchen as a substitute Cook. Teacher Floater’s must keep a current Food Handler’s Permit. Preparation of meals and snacks including cooking, cleaning and sanitizing must follow USDA rules and Performance Standards.
• Work with parent volunteers in the center.
• Work in a team setting with all other staff to determine the needs of the children.
• Assist in demonstrating to parent’s effective ways to reinforce the children’s needs in the home.
• Perform all duties in a safe manner. Work together with center staff in keeping the center clean and safe.
• The teacher is responsible for discipline in the classroom at all times. However, the Teacher Floater, using good common sense, may redirect a child who is misbehaving. Or, in the absence of the lead teacher, the Teacher Floater assumes the discipline role.
• Children will not be punished and/or rewarded in association with rest or food.
• Smoking or vaping will not be allowed on Head Start property. No vulgar language is allowed. Cell phone use will be limited to emergency use only.
• Must be able to sit and eat with children at mealtimes sharing the same menu. A physician’s statement must be obtained for special dietary needs. Pleasant child-oriented conversation should take place during mealtimes. No sodas, tea or other drinks other than water is allowed to be consumed while children are present.

1. Maintain an environment that is tolerant and respectful of child and family cultures, values and differences. Assist Non-English speaking families.

• Provide all information requested for program documentation in a timely manner.
• Assist other staff with projects as requested. Perform other duties as assigned and reasonably within scope of duties listed above.
• Report to work at scheduled times and maintain good attendance. Perform all duties in a timely and professional manner. Participate with a positive attitude and behavior in all program activities.

1. Keep all records and family information confidential.
2. Continue professional growth by participating in ECE classes, training programs, workshops/conferences, as the budget allows. Attend and participate in staff meetings, in-service training, parent meetings and any other training, meeting or workshops as deemed necessary by the HS/EHS/EHS-CC Director or Executive Director.
3. Become knowledgeable and maintain an understanding and support the philosophies, theories and the mission of HS/EHS/EHS-CC and LIFT Community Action Agency, Inc.
4. The listed job functions, duties and responsibilities do not necessarily include all activities that the incumbent may perform.Nothing herein restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
5. Always use a positive approach and follow Head Start methods of redirection and guidance to handle misbehavior of children. NO forms of physical punishment or humiliation will be used.
6. An appropriate tone of voice and wording is required when talking to children and parents.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:

The Teacher Floater works under the supervision of the Team Leader and exercises no supervision over other employees.

MENTAL AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:

• Must be able to sit/stand in a stationary position 50% of the time, stoop, bend; walk, talk; hear, use hands to grip, type, reach with hands and arms, occasionally required to stand or walk on uneven surfaces, and climb stairs, run short distances, crawl on floor with children,
• Frequently must be able to move about inside the center to access classroom or office equipment, etc.
• Frequently must operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, computer and printer.
• Frequently must communicate with staff and others who have inquiries about the program. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Occasionally must move/carry items weighing up to 30 pounds or more.
• Frequently must be able to lift at least 30 to 40 pounds and lift arms about shoulders, and spend time daily sitting on the floor with children.
• Constantly must visually monitor the behavior, learning, and activities of children.

EDUCATIONAL AND OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

• A minimum of an Associate’s Degree in Child Development or a related field.
• Obtain within 90 days of hire and maintain first aid and infant/toddler CPR certification.
• Obtain OSBI and DHS state Registry, and a Federal Background Check clearance prior to hire and during employment as required. Must not have pending charges, entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, or been convicted of: any criminal activity involving violence against a person; child abuse or neglect; possession, sale or distribution of illegal drugs; sexual misconduct; or an act of gross irresponsibility or disregard for the safety of others or a pattern of criminal activity; or required to register pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration Act or any person required to register under the Mary Rippy Violent Crime Offenders Registration Act.
• Must provide documentation of physical health examination; obtain an annual health exam, and TB screening.
• Possess an understanding of the needs of low-income families and an appreciation for the role of the parents as primary educators of their children.
• Must have reliable transportation, valid driver’s license and auto insurance.

I have read and understand the job description listed above. My questions have been answered. I am fully qualified for this position and can perform the duties as described. I understand that this is not an exhaustive list of all my duties and responsibilities. I understand that Management (and no other) reserves the right to revise this job description as deemed necessary.

LIFT Community Action Agency, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity provider and employer. The functions, qualifications, requirements, and physical demands listed in this job description represent the essential functions of the job, which the employee must be able to perform either with or without reasonable accommodation. As an equal opportunity provider and employer, LCAA will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their job duties/functions. The listed job functions, duties and responsibilities do not necessarily include all activities that the employee may perform. Nothing herein restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This position is Non-Exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and its amendments.