Teacher/Family Advocate
The Teacher/Family Advocate is the lead teacher in a Head Start/ECEAP preschool classroom of 17 three-five year olds, and works with a caseload of parents setting goals and providing local community resources to support family well-being. The Teacher/Family Advocate directs staff in the classroom, and works with children, staff, parents and communities in a sensitive, confidential and supportive manner that honors individual differences, cultural & linguistic backgrounds, and current circumstances. This is a classified position reporting to the Education Site Manager. This position is scheduled for ten months each year (August - June).
KEY COMPETENCIES (specific knowledge, skills or skill sets, and/or abilities necessary to perform work activities):
- Be able to perform all the essential functions of the position.
- Ability to work independently, but also be a team player.
- Ability to problem-solve and handle sensitive information and difficult situations tactfully and confidentially.
- Must be knowledgeable of and work in accordance with Head Start/ECEAP Performance Standards, department and College policies and regulations, and negotiated agreements
- Must be able to use a computer for written communication, data entry, spreadsheet applications, and report creation.
- Must be able to respond to and initiate communication with college/program employees, staff of other institutions, outside agencies, enrolled families, and the general public
JOB READINESS FACTORS (working conditions such as environmental factors, mental and physical demands, willingness issues of the position):
- Must be able to prioritize unplanned but required duties with ongoing confirmed deadlines. Must be flexible and able to negotiate priorities according to program needs while considering rules and process requirements
- Must be able to work under stressful situations and manage stress appropriately
- Must be able to accomplish repetitive tasks while maintaining a high level of accuracy
- Must be able to work independently and exercise appropriate judgment
- Must be able to exhibit cultural humility when working with staff and families from diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds
- Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally to ensure children's safety
- Must consistently adhere to an established work schedule and maintain a 95% attendance rate
- Ability to perform regular sanitation/cleaning of the classroom that may require the use of a broom, carpet sweeper, mop, vacuum, and the use of cleaning products
- Must be able to transport self to home visits and off-site trainings and meetings
- 55% Classroom Teaching and Planning
- Effectively plan, implement and evaluate classroom systems and plans, team communication and problem-solving with site staff and classroom co-teacher team
- Plan developmentally appropriate curriculum that addresses the needs & interests of dual language learners and children with disabilities
- Deliver educational programming and manage the classroom in a way that promotes safety for a class of 16-19 children
- Promote school readiness goals by creating an emotionally supportive classroom environment that fosters self-help skills
- Provide direction and leadership to the Assistant Teacher, Food Service Workers, Classroom Aide and Volunteers
- Substitute in the classroom during desk time, when needed due to staffing shortages
- 22.5% Family Services
- Engage parents in their child's learning through participation in home visits and home learning activities
- Collaborate with local school districts on coordinated services and referrals to children with disabilities
- Recognize that parents are the first teacher and most knowledgeable of their child's needs
- Maintain Head Start & ECEAP standards in completing home visit and parent conference requirements
- Ensure that Family Needs Assessment is completed within 90 days of family enrollment
- From Needs Assessment, follow-up with community referrals and resources
- Ensure that parents are meeting Head Start & ECEAP standards in health requirements
- Work collaboratively with program services of health, mental health, disabilities, family services to ensure children and families are meeting Head Start and ECEAP performance standards.
- Ensure families are meeting attendance requirements
- Schedule Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings when required to ensure family and child needs are met when issues arise
- 22.5% Compliance Monitoring
- Maintain compliance with Head Start & ECEAP program standards and procedures
- Perform daily data entry into our curriculum/assessment and child file databases
- Conduct and evaluate development and behavioral screenings, referring children as needed
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- An associate, baccalaureate, or advanced degree in child development or early childhood education, or equivalent coursework
- Two years of experience working in a preschool classroom
- Experience as a Lead Teacher in a preschool classroom
- Experience in a Head Start/ECEAP program, working with children and parents
- Additional professional work experience
- doing home visits
- working with low-income children and families
- working with a classroom of mostly non-English speaking students
- Experience supervising classroom staff and parent volunteers
- Work experience that required establishing/maintaining complex paper and electronic records, comprehensive documentation and establishing/updating client database
- Current First Aid and CPR certification
- Spanish or Arabic Language Fluency
Additional Information
COMPENSATION
Salary range: Beginning salary is $3105 per month for 40 hours per week, with incremental increases to $3488 per month plus a full state benefits package, which includes tuition waivers for college classes, medical, dental, retirement options and more. Vacation and leave package includes 10 sick days per year, 9 scheduled holidays, 1 personal holiday, 2 personal leave days, and 11 vacation days per year (incremental increases to 20 vacation days per year).
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Hiring for this position is on the condition that candidates meet the following requirements:
Before Starting Work:
- Submit paperwork indicating negative TB Test or clear chest x-ray within one year of hire date
- Show proof of Tdap booster vaccination
- Submit proof of a cleared Portable Background Check from the Washington State Department of Early Learning (NOTE: if you do not have a current PBC, you must first create an account in the DEL's MERIT system by clicking here. The fees for obtaining a PBC are your responsibility. The entire process of obtaining a PBC takes 3-4 weeks. You may not start working until we have a copy of your cleared PBC.)
- Present a current Food Worker Card from the Snohomish County Health District
- Submit proof of US Citizenship or ability to work in US (must show original social security or Alien Registration Card/Work Permit, as well as one piece of picture identification)
- Completion of all pertinent personnel/payroll forms
- Begin Hepatitis B series, show proof of Hep B immunity, or sign Hep B vaccination waiver
- Submit official education transcript showing employee meets the minimum requirements of the position
- Signed statement by a health provider that the employee is free from communicable diseases and physically able to perform job responsibilities.
- Obtain pediatric/adult 1st Aid/CPR certification (must be maintained in current status)
- Successfully complete a nine-month probationary period
- Keep all certifications and clearances in current status
- Complete 15 hours of Professional Development Training each year (Head Start) or 20 hours of Professional Development Training each year (ECEAP)
EEO / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION STATEMENT
Edmonds Community College is an equal opportunity employer and assures equality of treatment in educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (gender), disability, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, veteran status, or genetic information. Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the recruitment process may call 425-640-1470, 425-640-1832, or email jobs@edcc.edu, and accommodations will be made to the extent reasonably possible. The Human Resources Office is accessible to persons with disabilities.