At Neighborhood House (NH), our vision is a healthy, diverse, and welcoming community, free of poverty and racism, where all people thrive. We serve over 16,000 individuals in Seattle/South King County in the areas of early learning, youth development, citizenship, employment, health, housing, resource navigation, and aging adults. In addition to direct services, we use our experience and deep connection to our communities to advocate for equitable access to services, and policy changes that advance equity for all.

When one of us succeeds, we all succeed!

Neighborhood House is on a mission to becoming a multi-cultural, anti-racist agency. We are achieving this by sharing power, listening to and learning from each other and our communities, and working to repair past inequities. We are building a culture where equity is the foundation, inclusiveness is the default, and access for marginalized communities is the norm.

Our Agency Values include Community, Equity, Integrity, Relationships, and Sustainability. More information about our Agency Values can be found here.

Click here for more details about our benefits program.

Job Summary

Child Development Department staff support the Neighborhood House mission framework and Strategic Plan by contributing to the school readiness of low-income children and supporting their parents, care givers and community. The primary responsibility of the Lead Teacher is to provide the highest quality early childhood education services with the overall goal of building a child's social competency.

Responsibilities

Program Planning, Design and Implementation

Complete all required program reports accurately and in a timely manner.

Promote and Support School Readiness and Family Engagement

Actively guide the planning, implementation and evaluation of a high quality, inclusive early learning program.
Deliver developmentally appropriate center based services to infants/toddlers or preschoolers during operational hours.
Create a safe learning environment reflective of the diverse backgrounds of the participating families.
Ensure a balance of child-directed and adult-directed activities in the classroom, including small group and individual learning experience to support children’s development in language and literacy, social and emotional development, and cognitive skills development.
Utilize a variety of classroom strategies to support children’s learning, while including all aspects of the curriculum into the classroom (including health, nutrition, mental health, safety, and cultural and linguistic responsiveness.
Responsible for the arrangement and organization of the physical environment of the classroom for infants/toddlers or preschoolers.
Complete developmental and behavioral screenings for each child within 45 days of enrollment.
Effectively serve children with disabilities and their families by meeting goals and objectives on the Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP) (infants/toddlers) or Individualized Education Program (IEP) (preschoolers).
Monitor children’s progress by completing developmental observations for each child and individualizing goals throughout the program year.
Ensure all children in the classroom have strong transitions and predictable routines.
Ensure strong home/school connections by supporting parents with implementing school readiness techniques in their home.
Conduct two home visits and two parent teacher conferences annually for each child.
Ensure family engagement and/or awareness in program planning through regular open communications, monthly center meetings, parent newsletters, and parent conferences. Encourage parents as their child’s primary teacher and life-long advocate by implementing family engagement strategies in the classroom.
Help complete and maintain current records while ensuring confidentiality is observed
Show a commitment to professional development and engage in ongoing learning with meaningful activities leading to growth.
Lead Teachers may supervise Assistant Teachers in certain classroom settings.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Associate's or higher degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or equivalent.
One year experience working with children birth-5 in a classroom setting.
Ability to communicate effectively and relate sensitively to adults and children from diverse ethnic and socio-economic groups.
Proficiency in oral and written English language.
Good interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work as part of a team, communicate effectively both orally and in writing, receive and provide feedback, and manage dynamic interchanges in meetings.
Willingness to comply with established agency performance standards which may include: productivity/personal responsibility, client/customer service orientation, embracing a team player orientation, entrepreneurialism, and maintaining a professional demeanor.
Willingness to comply with Head Start Standards of Conduct by promoting the unique identity of each child and family; conforming with program confidentiality policies; following child supervision and guidance policies; and refraining from soliciting or accepting personal gratuities, favors, or anything of significant monetary value from contractors or potential contractors.
Must have reliable transportation and be able to travel independently to Child Development services sites.
Establish a professional development plan and participate in ongoing professional development.
Department of Early Learning portable background check.
The usual methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, frequent stooping, kneeling, and/or crouching and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 10% sitting, 45% walking, and 45% standing.

Desired Qualifications

Current or former Head Start and Early Head Start parents receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.
Familiarity with and experience implementing Head Start/Early Head Start performance standards preferred.
Bilingual ability.

Physical Requirements

Ability to sit on the floor for long periods of time and to get up and down out of a sitting position regularly throughout the day.
Ability to stand, walk and get down to the child level (3-5 year old) unassisted repeatedly throughout the day.
Ability to move quickly including running for short periods if needed to ensure child safety and/or respond to an emergency.
Ability to walk up and down stairs unassisted while holding children’s hands.
Ability to lift, hold, and carry a child up to 50 pounds as needed throughout the day.

Physical Requirements

Ability to sit on the floor for long periods of time and to get up and down out of a sitting position regularly throughout the day.
Ability to stand, walk and get down to the child level (3-5 year old) unassisted repeatedly throughout the day.
Ability to move quickly including running for short periods if needed to ensure child safety and/or respond to an emergency.
Ability to walk up and down stairs unassisted while holding children’s hands.
Ability to lift, hold, and carry a child up to 50 pounds as needed throughout the day.

Required Credentials

Must pass Neighborhood House background check requirements.
Position requires Washington State bi-annual criminal background re-check.
Current Health Exam, Tuberculosis Screening, and record of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccination or immunity (must be obtained prior to employment).
Department of Early Learning portable background check.

Post-Hire on-the-job Training Requirements

Child Abuse and Neglect training (within 2 weeks of hire).
Current First Aid Certificate within 30 days of hire.
Current CPR Certificate within 30 days of hire.
Sexual Harassment Training within 30 days of hire.
Current Food Handlers certificate within 30 days of employment (maintain current certificate during employment).
Current Blood Borne Pathogens training certificate within 30 days of employment (maintain current certificate during employment).

Employment Practice

Neighborhood House is committed to diversity and to equal opportunity employment. As an equal opportunity employer, we support and follow federal, state and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Neighborhood House does not exclude, deny benefits to, or otherwise discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, color, creed, religion, caste, disability, national origin, marital status, mental or physical ability including HIV status, height, weight, veteran status, military obligations, sexual orientation and expression of gender identity, or any other classification protected by law. Management and HR staff are committed to ensuring that all personnel decisions that affect employees, clients, volunteers, and board members are made in accordance with the equal employment opportunity principles of nondiscrimination.

Support

Inquiries may be directed to People and Culture at (206) 461-8430 or by e-mail to nhjobs@nhwa.org.

Apply here: https://secure4.saashr.com/ta/6155635.careers?ShowJob=604417995

Job Category: Child Development, Temporary, 40 hours per week, 6 months per year

Employ type: Temporary, Non-exempt

Having trouble completing your application? For support, please call (206) 461-8430 or by e-mail to nhjobs@nhwa.org.

Lead Teacher - Temporary

Closing Date: Until Filled

Agency Overview

When one of us succeeds, we all succeed!

Neighborhood House is on a mission to becoming a…