LEAD TEACHER (Preschool)

at  Community Bridges

Community Bridges envisions a thriving community where every person has the opportunity to unleash their full potential.Our family of ten programs delivers essential services, provides equitable access to resources, and advocates for health and dignity across every stage of life.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Under supervision by the site supervisor or program manager the lead teacher assists the site supervisors and program managers in leading and ensuring a quality, developmentally and culturally appropriate education program for young children and families. Provides support, guidance and oversight of staff in fulfilling their job duties and responsibilities, including these areas: building positive relationships, family and community engagement, learning environment and curriculum, and health, safety & nutrition. Responsible for helping to ensure that all early education quality criteria are met in accordance with the regulations and guidelines of all program funders and licensing agencies.

LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONALISM IN EARLY EDUCATION

• Provides guidance and training to more junior staff and volunteers on a daily basis and as needed.
• Reports inappropriate behavior of staff, parents, and on-site consultants to the appropriate supervisor.
• Remains current in ECE/Child Development best practices through participation in continuing education and regular review of child development training and resources provided by Early Education Division staff.
• Participates in self, peer, program and agency improvement processes and evaluations.
• Must create a California Early Care and Education Workforce Registry profile and update it periodically.
• Maintains a professional development plan and completes 21 hours of professional development annually.
• Creates a California Early Care and Education Workforce Registry profile and updates periodically.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
  Job descriptions are intended to be illustrative only; they are not designed to be restrictive or to define each and every assigned duty and responsibility. In an organization of this nature, each employee is expected to perform such duties as necessary to fulfill the stated goals of the agency.
  We screen all applicants, require background checks on final candidates consistent with funding regulation requirements and are a Drug-Free Work Place. Candidates are encouraged to apply even if they are not sure that they meet the minimum qualifications. Relevant experience, knowledge, and skills may be obtained through a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional means.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Option 1:
• Site supervisor permit or higher
• At least two (2) years of teaching experience with young children in a group setting.
• Option 2:
• B.A./B.S. degree in any field with 12 units in either ECE or CD and 3 units of supervised field experience in an ECE or CD setting.
• At least two (2) years of teaching experience with young children in a group setting.
• Must obtain site supervisor permit within 18 months of hire.
• Option 3:
• A.A./A.S. degree or higher in early childhood education (ECE) or child development (CD)
• At least two (2) years of teaching experience with young children in a group setting.
• Must obtain site supervisor permit within 18 months of hire, which requires the following:
• Must have or be willing to take eight (8) units of administration and supervision. Enrollment must be verified the first semester after hire.
• Must complete 100 days supervising adults.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Methods, philosophy, and techniques of working with young children.
• Child development principles and practices.
• Maintaining an inclusive, anti-bias classroom.

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS:

• Must pass or already be cleared by a fingerprint background check with the Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing. This includes FBI, DOJ, and Child Abuse Index.
• Must provide proof of current immunization records to include DTAP and MMRprior to beginning employment; influenza vaccine or declination form must be submitted annually.
• Must undergo Health Screening and TB test within 7 days of employment.
• Must provide valid Pediatric First Aid and CPR certification or be willing to obtain within 30 days of employment.
• Must participate in an online CA Mandated Reporter Training.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to write, use the telephone, and operate center equipment.
• Physical strength sufficient to lift up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to push/pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop, to reach overhead and run.
• Ability to move rapidly around the work environment on varied surfaces indoors and outdoors, offices,and to respond to emergency situations.
• Ability to sit in a child’s chair, squat at children’s eye level for prolonged periods of time and to stand or walk for prolonged periods of time.
• Ability to read printed materials and to see at a distance.
• Ability to hear sufficiently to conduct in-person conversations with adults and children and telephone conversations.
• Speaking ability in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversational distance, on the telephone, and in addressing groups.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:.

• Must complete agency anti-harassment training within six (6) months of hire and every two (2) years thereafter.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience teaching in a federal or state funded program.
• Experience using Learning Genie for developmental assessments and family engagement.
• Experience with evaluating reports and data for program quality improvement.
• Experience working with diverse groups of children including dual language learners and children with disabilities.
• Bilingual/bicultural, English/Spanish.