Teacher

Summary: The Tri-County Opportunities Council Early Head Start/Head Start Program serves 483 expectant mothers and children ages birth to five in the nine Illinois Counties of Bureau, Carroll, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, Ogle, Putnam, Stark, and Whiteside. The program offers comprehensive child and family development services to those deemed eligible. The program’s primary goals are to partner with parents to promote self-esteem, increase self-confidence, and advance school readiness skills for children. Comprehensive programming includes education, medical, dental, mental health, and nutritional services; welcomes children with disabilities or special needs; and provides family education, advancement, and social service support while connecting enrolled families to community resources and transportation assistance. The program offers various options to meet the needs of children, families, and communities throughout all nine counties.

Mission Statement: T.C.O.C. Head Start is committed to taking the leadership role in developing partnerships to build stronger communities. We create and nurture supportive experiences that lead to successful outcomes for children, families, and staff.

Agency Name: Tri-County Opportunities Council

Program Name: Early Head Start/Head Start Program

Job Title: Teacher *Must be 21 or older.

Reports to: Direct Site Supervisor

Status: This is a non-exempt, hourly position. Part Year Position.

Educational Requirements: A minimum of a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, Child Development, or a closely related degree with a minimum of 21 credit hours in ECE is required. Previous experience in a licensed early childhood setting is desired.

Other Requirements:

• Employment is contingent on a cleared criminal background check (national database), a cleared background check as per the Department of Children & Family Services Licensing Standards, and the successful completion of the 90-day probationary period.
• Must pass a general physical examination and TB screening at the time of hire and every two years after that. Provide proof of completed MMR and Tdap vaccinations.
• Must be able to enter and exit internal and external spaces safely and with ease
• Ability to squat, bend, kneel, twist, stoop, sit, and stand while interacting with children regularly. Ability to occasionally lift or carry up to 50 lbs. in case of an emergency
• Ability to be punctual and maintain regular attendance
• Ability to adjust to new situations (adaptable)
• Ability to manage time and multitask (work as a team and be self-directed)
• Ability to anticipate happenings, problem-solve, and offer viable solutions
• Ability to apply practical and responsive interpersonal skills
• Must be technology proficient
• Must obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR Certification
• All other duties as assigned

If hired, employees without the required credits/credentialing will be required to sign a professional development plan upon hire with a designated timeline for completion.

Confidentiality: The person filling this position must abide by the program’s confidentiality policy and established Code of Ethics regarding children, family, staff, and agency matters.

Accountabilities: To provide safe, supportive, intentional, and engaging environments for children between birth and five years of age. Offer environments and experiences that provide natural and developmentally appropriate skill development opportunities to children of various ages and skill levels. Reduce achievement gaps through equitable practices. Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development that improves teaching and learning.

Adhere to internal and external policy, procedure, and best practice

• DCFS Licensing Standards
• Head Start Performance Standards
• Child and Adult Care Food Program
• OSHA
• T.C.O.C. Early Head Start/Head Start Policy and Procedures
• T.C.O.C. Human Resource Policy and Procedures

Support the mission, goals, and objectives of the Tri-County Opportunities Council Community Action Agency and, more specifically, the Early Head Start/Head Start program.

Essential Duties:

• Create a safe, warm, and accepting early childhood education environment
• Ensure children are actively supervised by qualified staff at all times and that appropriate adult/child ratios are maintained
• Implement curriculum to fidelity while working with children individually or in small groups for extension or remediation, and provide extra help to students with physical, mental, or linguistic limitations
• Complete and submit neat, legible, and accurate program documentation
• Promote and guide individual children’s self-help skills
• Prepare learning materials and guide learning experiences
• Model family-style meal service and engage in child-led conversations during meal times.
• Ensure indoor and outdoor learning environments, materials, and equipment are safe, used correctly, and stored properly after use
• Assist with the safe loading and unloading of children
• Keep the learning environment clean and safe
• Identify, invite, and document sources of non-federal

Non-Essential Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

I. Serve as a member on one or more of the T.C.O.C. Early Head Start/Head Start special committees or participate in special initiative projects other than those listed in the essential duties section of this position description.

II. Per the team philosophy of the T.C.O.C. Early Head Start/Head Start Program, the person filling this position may be requested to carry out other tasks in addition to the duties listed in this job description.

III. The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job. They are not intended to represent an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills.

Professional Development Responsibilities: Attend and actively engage in professional development training designed to assist in acquiring or increasing the knowledge and skills needed to provide high-quality, comprehensive services within the scope of the assigned job responsibilities.

As per the Office of Head Start requirements, a minimum of 15 clock hours of professional development per year for all staff (45 CFR 1302.92)

Benefits:

• Dental Insurance (Must work 20 hours/per week)
• Vision Insurance (Must work 20 hours/per week)
• Life Insurance (Must work 20 hours/per week)
• Health Insurance – 2 Plans (Must work 30 hours/per week)
• Partially Paid Family Medical Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Sick Time
• Paid Time Off
• Retirement Savings Plan
• Career Advancement Opportunities

For current staff applying for a different position, the wage is base pay (based on current qualifications) plus 1% for each year of previous agency employment

Tri-County Opportunities Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provider. Applications from women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people from diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $20.74 - $23.92 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Associate (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)
• Child Development Associate Certification (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Peru, IL 61354 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $21 - $24