Description:
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet offers 43 paid days off per year, excellent medical benefits, and an employer-sponsored 403b plan that requires no contribution from employee. We prioritize your well-being and financial security.
Discover the unique rewards of working in a Head Start program, where you can ignite young minds and provide comprehensive early childhood education that sets the stage for lifelong success.
Catholic Charities’ Head Start program is NAEYC Accredited as well as a Gold Circle Quality and a US Model Head Start Program.
By joining Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet Head Start, you will make a lasting impact on children’s lives, and have the opportunity to uplift families by empowering them to thrive and create a brighter future for themselves.
Apply now so we can make a lasting impact together!

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for adhering to the guidelines of Health and Human Services Head Start Performance Standards related to Early Childhood Services in conjunction with State Licensing Standards.
• In the absence of the Site Supervisor, is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the center as the delegate, when requested.
• Programmatic recruitment will takes place throughout the community as specified and designated.
• Other duties as assigned within the guidelines of this position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Ensures that the children are actively supervised at all times. Following the Head Start/Early Head Start Performance Standards and Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Licensing Standards.
• Ensures that a variety of materials are kept safe and rotated frequently; with children’s materials separate from teacher supplies. In addition, maintain inventory of supplies and equipment, and submit requisition needs to site supervisor for approval.
• Cooperates with other staff and classroom groups to maintain the smooth functioning of the center, which at times may require changes to meet the needs of the children.
• Participates in the Case Management Staffing with prepared notes from observations and assessments of children.
• Develops individualized goals for children in collaboration with Associate Teacher(s)/Teacher Assistant(s) and parents that are updated monthly.
• Maintains a comprehensive and ongoing portfolio assessment for each child, including daily/weekly observations in each developmental area, examples of the child’s work, and a developmental assessment that is completed on an ongoing basis throughout the program year.
• Facilitates weekly intentional planning meetings with teaching team. Include individual child goals, goals from child’s Individual Education Plan/Individual Family Service Plan (IEP/IFSP) for children with disabilities, program standards and goals from children’s learning as described in the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, child data, intentional interactions, parental insights, and meaningful teaching practices.
• Implements children’s IEP or IFSP seeking clarification for any aspects that are not well understood.
• Completes at minimum, two home visits and two parent teacher conferences to discuss the child’s individual development and progress, assist the parents in developing observational skills and solicit parent observations as a method of keeping the parents engaged in their child’s development.
• Provides social and emotional support to children in an organized classroom inclusive of intentional teacher-child interactions. (Specific behaviors as described in the Classroom Assessment Scoring System CLASS)
• Conducts screenings for all children within forty-five (45) days of the program year. Provide follow-up screenings and/or referrals as needed.
• Implements the elements of the programs researched-based curriculum by providing fun learning experiences that encourages decision-making, cultural awareness, and exploration.
• Guide and facilitate activities of the children, including: daily activities, field trips, selecting and arranging equipment and materials in the classroom.
• Is a team member and effective role model, sets up written systems for sharing responsibilities: hold daily team meetings and share information.
• Completes and submits required forms and records in a timely and accurate fashion, e.g., lesson plans, time sheets, and meal reports etc. Ensuring that child education files are complete, accurate, and confidentially maintained.