Head Start Teacher I / II

Overall Job Objective

What Success Looks Like In This Job

View our Head Start Teacher video!

We are seeking a caring, organized Teacher to perform a variety of duties involved in planning and implementing instructional and recreational activities appropriate for the needs and skills of the children enrolled in our Head Start Program.

• Hiring Salary Range: Teacher I - 39,495.24 - 45,419.52 per year, Non-Stretch rate, dependent upon qualifications.
• Hiring Salary Range: Teacher II - 44,376.85 - 51,033.37 per year, Non-Stretch rate, dependent upon qualifications.

Adams County is committed to the health and safety of its employees and citizens. As such, we are strongly encouraging all candidates considering Adams County as a potential employer to obtain their COVID vaccination prior to your start date. If a candidate chooses not to get the COVID vaccine, Adams County will require all unvaccinated new employees to be tested for COVID frequently to ensure a safe and healthy workplace for all.

Adams County is an equal opportunity employer. If candidates believe they need an accommodation, based on a sincerely held religious belief or a disability, in order to complete the application process or to perform the essential functions of a position, they should contact Cindy Bero (cbero@adcogov.org) for more information regarding the interactive process.
Examples of Duties for Success

• Develop, prepare, and implement daily, weekly and monthly instructional activities in accordance with Head Start Program standards, taking into consideration the needs and skills of the children; participate in curriculum design and application.
• Provide instruction to children involved in various classroom activities including educational programs to develop children's growth in socio-emotional, psychomotor, cognitive/language, health and personal hygiene skills, using DAP activities and best practices.
• Observe, record, and evaluate each child's activity, performance, behavior and development; develop and modify individual education plans; identify and convey individual child behavior problems.
• Adapt and individualize program to meet the needs of each child; coordinate with consultants and attend IEP staffing.
• Support ethnic/racial/cultural diversity in students.
• Implement the nutrition program in the classroom.
• Attend staff meetings, workshops, formal classes, and in-service training classes to continually advance teaching skills and knowledge.
• Screen children in all areas of development (language, hearing, vision, and diagnostic screenings).
• Meet the individual needs of all children in the Head Start Program.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings and program events as requested.
• Ensure that the appearance, cleanliness, and safe environment of classroom is appropriately maintained.
• Direct the activities of other staff in the classroom to ensure the classroom functions in an orderly manner, including completion and monitoring of daily health & safety checklists.
• Physically arrange the classroom into well-defined interest centers.
• Schedule and conduct home visits and parent/teacher conferences with families.
• Prepare various reports and performance appraisals for Assistant Teachers and Classroom Aides.
• Maintain on-going contact with parents; encourage and promote parent involvement; work with parents in developing an understanding of their role as primary educator of their children; encourage parents in the reinforcement and transfer of concepts and behaviors from the school to the home setting; schedule and participate in parent conferences; visit parents; prepare home activities for parents and children.
• Work with parents and local school districts to ensure a smooth transition from Head Start to public school.
• Recruit volunteer parents to assist in the classroom.
• Organize and direct field trips.
• Attend parent meetings as required.
• Assist in all forms of communication with parents.
• Maintain parent board and other bulletin boards.
• Ensure that all classroom/outdoor equipment is in good working condition and is used /maintained properly.
• Ensure the accuracy and completion of daily health checks on all children.
• Ensure the accuracy and completion of Health and Safety Checklists.
• Ensure the accuracy and completion of Record of Meals, meeting SOP timelines.
• Assist children with a family style mealtime and clean up, nuturing social/emotional and self-help development.
• Accept temporary work assignments within Adams County in the event regularly scheduled personnel are not available.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Basic principles of child development theory and early childhood education.
• Basic principles and practices of instructional program development.
• Appropriate activities for children of various age and skill levels.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping and report writing.
• Bus transportation for Head Start and School District.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations, including childcare licensing regulations.
• Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality
• Learn and apply the policies and procedures of the Head Start Program.
• Learn pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Learn principles of supervision and training.
• Instruct and supervise children involved in Head Start Program activities.
• Observe, record, and evaluate child activity, performance, behavior, and development.
• Apply appropriate disciplinary action.
• Successfully complete TS GOLD Reliability yearly.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Demonstrate professional and positive attitude and appearance.
• Demonstrate willingness to serve and a passion for exceeding customer service expectations.
• Safely operate an automobile.

Qualifications for Success

Teacher I Qualifications

• Experience: Two (2) years experience in early childhood education.
• Education and Training:
  • Associate of Arts degree is required, with major course work in early childhood education or a related field.
  • Preference given to candidates possessing Bachelor's/Advanced degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
• License or Certificate:
  • Valid Colorado Drivers License and Proof of vehicle insurance. A Motor Vehicle record check will be conducted.
  • Ability to obtain CPR and First Aid Certification.
• Background Check: Must pass a criminal background check, FBI background check, and Central Registry check.

Teacher II Qualifications

• Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
• Experience: Three (3) years of experience in early childhood education.
• Education and Training: Bachelor of Arts degree with major course work in early childhood education or a related field.
• License or Certificate:
  • A Child Development Associate (CDA) credential appropriate to age of children being served OR
  • A State-awarded certificate for preschool teachers that meets or exceeds CDA requirements.
  • Must possess, or have the ability to obtain a valid Colorado Drivers License and Proof of vehicle insurance. A Motor Vehicle record check will be conducted.
  • Ability to obtain CPR and First Aid Certification.
• Background Check: Must pass a criminal background check, FBI background check, and Central Registry check.

More Qualifications for Success

Other:

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, run, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, and climb.
• Must complete physical examination and TB test upon hire.
• Ability to lift up to 45 pounds.
• Exposure to childhood diseases.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., with some evenings.