Easterseals Southern California transforms lives every day. For over a century, Easterseals has championed inclusion and independence—delivering essential services like early childhood programs, autism services, employment and independent living support to more than 29,000 people each year. Through advocacy and education, we break barriers and create opportunities for the one-in-four Americans with disabilities. 

OVERVIEW OF POSITION: Under direct supervision, plans, implements, and evaluates a developmentally appropriate and inclusive educational curriculum for children in the Early Head Start/Head Start program. Performs as an educator for assigned children.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION:

• Performs as an educator for assigned children in the classroom throughout the child’s enrollment in the program. Supports primary care-giving in meeting the personal care of children, including safety and visual supervision
• Plans, implements and supervises a developmentally appropriate and inclusive educational curriculum for young children, in accordance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, policies and procedures and Easterseals Southern California (ESSC) standards of conduct. Conducts home visits and parent conferences within required timelines
• Ensures individual child goals are created and implemented with parent input. Maintains weekly lesson plans, progress and anecdotal notes, and current paperwork. Completes child screenings and assessments within required timeframe
• Coordinates and conducts bi-monthly classroom unit meetings. Provides input to evaluate volunteers and college interns. Actively participates in staff meetings, parent meetings, and in-service training. Participates in planning associate and parent training activities, parent meetings and workshops
• Coordinates parent education, training and support for pregnant women including prenatal education, breast-feeding information, and other health resources
• Performs other duties as assigned

EDUCATION:

• H.S. Diploma or national equivalent.
• Must possess and maintain a Child Development Associate Teacher Permit. Must meet ongoing educational requirements to qualify for child development permit/CDA requirements.
• Must possess and maintain current pediatric (infant/toddler) CPR and first aid certificate.
• Must possess food handler’s certificate.

EXPERIENCE:

• Experience teaching in a preschool or infant/toddler classroom setting, which includes 50 days of 3+ hours per day within 2-year period.
• Training and experience necessary to develop consistent, stable and supportive relationships with very young children.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Able to develop knowledge of infant and toddler development, safety issues in infant and toddler child care settings (i.e., reducing the risk of SIDS).
• Must complete California-mandated Child Abuse Reporter Training as well as Pesticide Safety Training (per Healthy Schools Act) prior to beginning work.
• Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office applications (e.g. Outlook, Excel, Skype).
• Ability to properly interpret and implement regulations of the California Department of Education, Funding Terms and Conditions (Title 5), Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing (Title 22), Head Start Performance Standards, and of Easterseals policies and procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively, through oral and written skills, and work cooperatively with a variety of individuals and groups. Must relate well to children and their families and maintain a positive affect.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, plan, establish and meet timelines.
• Ability to stand for extended periods. Ability to lift 40 lbs. continuously. Ability to reach, bend, stoop, and squat. Must possess fine manual dexterity. Ability to push, pull, talk/hear, with near and far visual acuity/depth perception/color vision/field of vision.
• Ability to pass a post-offer physical examination and a TB test.
• Ability to provide any/all current immunizations as required by the State of California for child development centers and staff.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a criminal record/fingerprint clearance from the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation per Easterseals Southern California and/or program requirements. Must have sex offender index clearance.

Carrying/Lifting: Occasional/ 0-30 lbs.
Standing: Occasional/ Up to 3 hours per day.
Sitting: Constant / Up to 8 hours per day.
Walking: Occasional/ Up to 3 hours per day.
Repetitive Motion/Activity: Keyboard actvity, telephone use, writing.
Visual Acuity: Abilityto view computer monitor and read newsprint.
Travel: None.
Environmental Exposure: TASKS THAT INVOLVE EXPOSURE TOBLOOD, BODY FLUIDS, OR TISSUES.