Early Head Start Teacher - Bilingual preferred

Family Building Blocks strives for equity and celebrates diversity. Our mission of "Keeping Children Safe and Families Together" is the foundation that helps us build strength in our communities, large and small. We are committed to putting families at the center of our work. We strive to be an employer of choice with a vision of honoring the dignity of all persons. The Early Head Start Teacher at Family Building Blocks creates and manages an attractive, safe, warm, and challenging learning environment for infants and toddlers; which goes beyond the classroom and into the homes of the families we serve. Teachers work to bridge the gap between the home and the classroom; recognizing parents as the child's first teachers and building upon each family's strengths to meet this goal. Teachers incorporate developmentally appropriate learning, caregiving, and early intervention activities to meet the needs of the group as well as the individual children and families. They do so in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards. This position requires a flexible schedule to prepare the classroom, assist in transportation duties, and schedule home visits, and participate in program activities that may include occasional overtime, late and/or early mornings. This position requires regular travel to perform program errands and occasionally to visit other sites and attend training/meetings. Essential Duties: Early Head Start Teachers provide early childhood developmental education, health, nutrition, and social service to children and families in the following ways: Child Education and Development Assess and meet the needs of all children; including those who are at risk, those with special needs, those who are gifted, and those who are culturally diverse. Develop goals and utilize curriculum and lesson plans to promote the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of infants and toddlers. Set a consistent schedule, while allowing flexibility to meet individual children's needs. Encourage experimentation, exploration, problem solving, cooperation, socialization, and choice making. Use appropriate positive child guidance techniques. Support each child's social-emotional health by encouraging positive parent-child interaction and modeling positive interactions in the presence of parents. Provide parents with developmentally appropriate activities to foster parent-child attachment and bonding. Use the therapeutic classroom philosophy, Guides to Speech and Action, at all times during classroom and home visiting time. Set up a safe, inviting, and functional classroom environment that responds to children's' needs. Home Visits and Family Support Conduct regular educational home visits that are responsive to the individual family's needs, interests, learning style, and cultures. Develop and maintain child and family goals and objectives to meet each family's needs. Work with appropriate agencies in developing individualized and specialized planning for children/families as needed. Some examples of these agencies are the Department of Human Services and the Willamette Education Service District. Encourage parents to participate actively in all aspects of the program. Meet regularly with parents and other staff, including the mental health consultant (as needed) regarding each child's status and progress. Being flexible to support child care opportunities for program meeting requirements and socializations Documentation and Program Support Maintain accurate and timely written records including assessments, special education documentation, screening instruments, observations, and documentation for all interactions with families served. Enter data into the EHS database in a timely manner. Document all parent contact information and maintain child files. Attend meetings, training, and appropriate professional development activities. Assure general maintenance, organization, cleanliness, and security of the facility. Collaborate with others to plan and implement family night activities, playgroups, and other program events Ensure that all cases of suspected abuse and neglect are reported in accordance with Oregon statutes. Volunteer & Intern Program Support Provide an atmosphere that promotes inclusion and supports volunteers and student interns involved in the classroom. Support the work of FBB volunteers and interns as an integral part of program services. Provide learning opportunities for volunteers and interns while participating in program services. Collaborate with the teaching team, supervisors, and Volunteer Coordinator to assist with regular volunteer training. Acknowledge their efforts by participating in recognition events and sharing their accomplishments. Provide ongoing feedback and assessment through both written and verbal communication in addition to providing 1-2 evaluations in collaboration with interns per term as needed. Other related Program Activities as needed Responsible for maintenance of materials, equipment, and classroom supplies including preparation/clean up, and laundry. Assure general upkeep of office space, and classroom. Support in the staffing of transportation and bus-related activities. Assist as needed and/or assigned to related activities such as Parent activities and meetings; and other parenting classes/Services. Coordinating Immunizations Committee or other program participation Minimum Education and Experience CDA Credential in Early Childhood Education, OR comparable credential (20 quarter credit hours) from an accredited institution with a focus on infant/toddler development, OR the equivalent combination of training and course work (ORO Step 8) in early childhood development with a focus on infant/toddler development OR Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education with infant/toddler coursework. Six months of experience working in an infant/toddler classroom in a related environment. Demonstrated experience working with high-risk children and families. Demonstrate competency to plan and implement home-based learning experiences that ensure effective implementation of the home visiting curriculum and promote children's progress across the standards described in the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five, including for children with disabilities and dual language learners, as appropriate, and to build respectful, culturally responsive, and trusting relationships with families. Computer skills include the use of the internet, email, and data entry (Microsoft Office) and the ability to learn new programs required for the position. Supports multiculturalism by treating all people with dignity and respect and not engaging in discriminatory behavior. Strong commitment to Family Building Blocks mission and values serving children and families as well as staff. Support Family Building Blocks established safety policies and procedures toward a safe and healthy work environment. Must maintain discretion and respect the confidentiality of information about enrolled families, personnel issues, and other program operations. Possess strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills and be committed to staff development. Possess strong organizational, time management, and recordkeeping skills. Culturally responsive with the ability to build trusting relationships with families. Possess a valid Oregon Driver's license or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire, acceptable driving record, and reliable transportation. Must be able to provide proof of current auto insurance. Must have Pediatric First Aid/ CPR card and Food Handler's card within 30 days of employment. Have a CBR or must successfully pass the Oregon Child Care Division Background Registry and Oregon State Police Criminal Records. An employer-paid pre-employment drug test and physical is required and completion of the Health Questionnaire for TB. Successfully pass a criminal conviction background check. Preferred Education and Experience Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. Two + years of experience working in an infant/toddler classroom. Experience working with children and families in a social service setting. Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred. Additional Requirements Mandatory Reporter - Report all cases of suspected abuse and neglect in accordance with Oregon statutes and agency policies and procedures. Must maintain throughout the length of employment an acceptable driving record according to FBB criteria and valid auto insurance. Employees must sustain a drug-free and acceptable criminal record throughout the course of employment. Must maintain discretion and respect the confidentiality of information about enrolled families, personnel issues, and other program operations. Completion of training in "Recognizing and Reporting Suspicions of Child Abuse and Neglect" upon hire. Physical Demands Required to frequently reach with hands and arms; regularly required to climb or balance; occasionally required to stand; walk; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Regularly lift and/or move 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Physical ability to quickly evacuate children from the classroom in an emergency. Manual dexterity for handling office equipment. As part of your online application please upload the following documents: Resume Cover Letter Unofficial Transcripts Copies of relevant certificates and licenses (CDA, CBR, etc.) APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open until finalists are selected. We encourage applicants to start the process of applying for the Criminal Background Registry with the Oregon Learning Division. Family Building Blocks is an affirmative action/EEO employer and is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Believing that diversity contributes to program excellence and to mutual respect and understanding, FBB is committed to recruiting and retaining diversity in our Board and staff. We seek applicants who bring varied experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. If you require any assistance in the application process, or reasonable accommodations to perform the essential duties of the position, please notify a member of Human Resources at 503.798.4744.