Position Definition

Under the direct supervision of the Center Director, will be responsible for planning, supervising, and implementing the education program in a Combination Option Model in accordance with the policies, procedures, and philosophy of MAAC Project Head Start, state and federal regulations.  Head Start is a federally funded preschool for income eligible and special needs children.

Primary Duties

-         Develop and implement lesson plans to involve the approved Creative curriculum to encompass current program goals

-       Utilize classroom materials and routines as resources to provide an environment conductive to learning and appropriate to the development levels, interests, and special talents of the child.

-       Develop and maintain a safe and healthy classroom environment

-       Implement rules and practices that provide and foster discipline in the child

-       Provide age appropriate activities to promote social, physical, cognitive, creative, and self concepts of the child

-       Provide a continuing interactive process between families and providers that lead to strengthen family identified goals

-       Develop and implement methods to utilize classroom volunteers, classroom aides, and parent volunteers

-       Maintain and update written records and reports in a timely manner

-       Maintain an open friendly relationship with staff, volunteers and parents

-     Conduct required Home Visits with primary caregiver

-       Recognize individual child differences in growth, development, and needs and develop individualized plans

-       Work with Head Start families on their identified needs, informing them of community resources, providing information and referrals, assisting in the scheduling of appointments and follow-up services

-       Integrate other Head Start components into the curriculum                              

-       Provide client transportation as needed

-       Work on the “Individual Family Plan” with each family beginning at “Phase- In” and updating at least three times during school year

-        Lift, carry, restrain children weighing 30-40 pounds as needed

-          Ensure personalized special services are provided to special needs children (i.e., feeding, assistance with toileting, including diapering, cauterization, urine bags, physically carrying the child-specialized equipment training will be provided as needed)

-        Mainstream special needs children into the classroom environment

-        Meet with parent (s) of special needs children to discuss educational objectives and special needs services

Qualifications: Knowledge/Skills

-        In-depth knowledge of early childhood education, child development, anti-bias education

-        Knowledge of local educational and community resources and their ability to be used in the classroom

-        Knowledge of bilingual language acquisition

-        Knowledge of Head Start policies and procedures preferred

-        Bilingual (English/Spanish) required Education / Experience

Education/Experience/Certification

-        High school diploma or equivalent

1^st Preferred Requirement

-        AA, BA/BS or advanced degree in Early Childhood Education; OR a degree in a related field (which includes six or more courses in early childhood education and/or child development)

-        Completion of supervised student teaching and experience as a pre-school teacher.

2^nd Preferred Requirement

-        A State of California Regular Children’s Center Permit or Child Development Permit, Teacher Level, issued by the California Commission on Teacher Preparation and Licensing, and a Condition of Employment with an education plan that ensures completion of an AA degree by September 30, 2010.

-        One (1) year preschool experience with children in a full-day classroom setting, (Head Start experience preferred)

AND

Valid CPR, First Aid and Food Handlers Cards must be obtained within first two months (2) of employment and maintained throughout employment (paid, designated training available through MAAC Project) In the event employees do not attend the scheduled training, they must obtain the cards through outside resources and costs will not be reimbursed. The cards must be obtained and maintained within prescribed timelines.

Note: Submission of transcripts, certificates, diplomas, verification of work experience may be required for certain    Positions.

Health Status

Must have a physical examination and TB clearance as required by state and federal regulations by a doctor/clinic designated by MAAC Project within seven (7) days of hire for new employees.

Physical and Mental Demands

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this class, an employee is regularly required to stand, walk and sit; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects or controls; reach with hands and arms.  An employee also is regularly required to stoop, kneel, bend, crouch or crawl, climb or balance and lift up to 50 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret information; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret people and situations; use basic math; learn and apply new information or skills; work under intensive deadlines and interact with MAAC management, administrators, staff, teachers, parents, family members, children and others encountered in the course of work.

Background Clearance

Positions subject to a background and/or credit check are those that may involve, but are not limited to the following: responsibility for the care, safety and security of people, including children and minors, or property; direct access to, or control over, cash, checks, credit cards, and/or credit card account information; authority to commit financial resources of MAAC through contracts greater than $5,000; control over  business processes, either through functional roles or system security access; access to detailed personally identifiable information about employees which might enable identify theft; access to controlled substances; or possession of building master or sub-master keys for building access.

Note: California Start law requires background criminal checks on anyone who works in a licensed childcare facility who is not a client. Must have or obtain a current criminal background check clearance, signed criminal record statement, and signed Acknowledgement to Report Child Abuse form prior to employment or first day in facility.

Transportation

Must have and maintain a valid California Driver’s License, daily use of a personal, insured vehicle, and an acceptable Motor Vehicle Report.  Incumbents will be enrolled in the California DMV Pull Program.

Union Membership

This position is represented by Service Employees International Union, Local 221, CTW. Dues/deductions begin after 30 days of employment.

Selection

A completed MAAC Project employment application, affirmative action form, and resume of qualifying education/experience must be submitted to the MAAC Project Personnel Office, 1355 Third Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91911 or Head Start Administration Office, 800 Los Vallecitos Boulevard, Suite J San Marcos, CA 92069.

Disclosure:  The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

In compliance with The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), new employees are required to prove that they are legally entitled to work in the United States and must provide documents that establish both identity and employment eligibility as required for completion of the Employment Eligibility Verification form (Form I-9).

MAAC PROJECT promotes a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunity employer.

Applicants with disabilities requiring special attention and/or interview arrangements may

Contact Human Resources.

MAAC Project Administrative Offices

1355 third Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91911

(619) 426-3595 Ÿ HR Fax (619) 426-3443

Head Start Division

800 W Los Vallecitos, Suite J, San Marcos, CA 92061

(760) 471-4210 Ÿ HR Fax (760) 471-3753