Background

Since 1976, St. Joseph Center has been meeting the needs of low-income and homeless individuals and families in Venice and throughout Los Angeles County.  The Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization that assists people without regard for religious affiliation or lack thereof through 20+ programs in four pillars of service: Outreach and Engagement, Housing Services, Mental Health, and Education and Vocational Training.  St. Joseph Center serves more than 10,000 people each year. 

Brief Description of Principal Activities

Multifaceted intervention, prevention, mental health, and housing assistance is offered through street outreach and 9 service sites throughout Los Angeles County. St. Joseph Center also provides on-site services at five permanent supportive housing developments, and will provide services at an additional six more sites in the coming year.  St. Joseph Center’s total holistic approach to services provide our clients with the help they need to regain their stability.

The Preschool Master Teacher will work as a lead member of the classroom team providing a full day program for a classroom of either toddlers or preschool age children. Always adhering to professional conduct while carrying out the mission, vision, and values established by agency’s Executive Leadership and Board Members.  The Lead Teacher will follow the center’s programs, practices, and policies. This position is responsible for providing a stimulating, safe, and developmentally appropriate educational environment where toddlers and preschool children can develop cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills. Develops and implements daily lesson plans for Early Learning Center classroom. Leads and supervises toddler and/or preschool Associate Teachers and Teachers in curriculum, classroom environment, and parent relationships. Maintains classroom records, including the assessment of children and the collection of data necessary for the evaluation of early childhood educations programs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Work with small and large groups of children in a variety of age-appropriate developmental activities such as creative experiences, perceptual motor skills, science, language, mathematics, environment awareness and social studies, in both an indoor and outdoor environment according to the planned schedule
• Oversee the creation and usage of developmentally appropriate curriculum, blending best practices with the guiding principle of a dual immersion program.
• Always adhere to professional conduct, such as proper tone and language use in the classroom, respectful, proper for children, parents and peers at all times.
• Comply with all State Licensing regulations; provide state mandated reporting, as necessary, to the ELC Director and/or appropriate authorities.

Essential Duties:

• Participate in all staff training and parent/staff meetings during the year, participate in events involving parents and local communities.
• Supervise children and share responsibility for promoting classroom dynamics.
• Write weekly updates to parents based on the upcoming curriculum and upon related events and activities taking place in the classroom.
• Organize and manage décor, appearance and learning environment of the classroom, support school administration in accordance with the program philosophy.
• Leads opening and closing activities; manage sign-in and sign-out sheets.
• Ensure that all classroom teachers are kept updated in all matters concerning the classroom and program (lesson plans, changes in routines, policies and procedures, training received).
• Provide functional training and guidance to staff, interns, substitutes and volunteers assigned to the classroom.
• Conduct on-going assessments and evaluations of children (anecdotal and monthly); complete and develop short- and long-term goals for individual child and overall group.
• Communicate any changes in children’s behavior that might affect their growth and development.
• Report all staffing and classroom concerns to the Director in a timely manner.
• Complete daily health checks regarding hygiene, safety, and overall well-being of children
• Maintain confidentiality of program participants
• Support open communication between parents, volunteers and staff.
• Leads the management of the classroom.  Serve food and participate in meal time activities.
• Assume an equal share of general clean-up responsibilities and end of the day classroom set- up, maintaining a safe and creative environment.
• Work to prepare for Parent/Teacher Conference using a set of observation assessments to create an appropriate action plan.
• In accordance with our “team” philosophy, the person filling this position may occasionally be required to carry out or assist with other duties as assigned by the ELC Director

Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed are designed to provide typical examples of the work performed; not all duties and responsibilities assigned are included here, nor is it expected that all similar positions will be assigned every duty and responsibility.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Fluency in Spanish/English language required. Bilingual (Spanish/English)
• Must be a team player with the ability to handle the responsibilities and routine stress often associated with providing childcare services.
• Knowledge in Creative Curriculum and Reggio Emilia Approach
• Knowledge of general needs and behavior of children of various ethnic, racial and cultural backgrounds
• The ability to recognize and react calmly and effectively in dangerous situations.
• Knowledge of Title 22 Regulations, compliance with all state licensing requirements as described in Title 22, Division 12, Article 6, Section 101316.2: teacher qualifications and duties.
• The ability to be aware of the cognitive, social and physical needs of children.
• Communicate verbally and in writing in English and Spanish to the degree that children, parents, and other staff members can understand and respond.
• The position requires an ability to work flexible hours including some early mornings and evenings.

Experience:

• Minimum of two years’ paid experience working in an early childhood education setting with a classroom lead role

Education:

• Preferred: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood education, child development or a related field.
• Preferred: Maintenance of a Site Supervisor Permit or Master Teacher Permit from the State Commission on Teacher Credentialing and the following:
  • Complete 6 additional semester units of course work in administration and supervision of child care and development programs. These units must be comprised of 2 courses.
  • Complete an additional 2 semester units of adult supervision course work.
  • *Teacher working with toddlers shall have 3 additional units in Infant/Toddler Program

Direct Reports:

• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include training employees and participation in interviewing potential teaching staff. Planning, assigning, and directing work to the Associate Teachers and Teachers. Shares input of team’s performance and addressing complaints and assistance with resolving problems.

Computer Skills:

• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Ability to learn and use program administrative software.
• Ability to use widely supported internet browsers.

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations:

• Preferred: Valid Site Supervisor or Master Teacher Permit from the State of Commission on Teacher Credentialing
• Preferred: Valid Mandated Reporter certificate (AB 1207)
• Required: Valid First Aid and CPR certification
• Preferred: Valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions. Valid automobile liability insurance.

Travel Requirements:

• Some travel within the community may be required.
• Possibly for Professional Development

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be high.

Special Requirements:

TB Clearance and/or TB Risk Assessment (chest x-rays) every 2 years. Proof of immunity of Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) Pertussis (DTaP), and Influenza (or statement declining Influenza vaccine).

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, bend, kneel, sit, walk, stoop, carry, lift, talk, hear, reach above and below shoulders; use hand and finger dexterity, keyboarding and making and receiving telephone calls.  

Additional demands:

All Teachers must be able to perform the following physical, cognitive, social and mental activities:

• Observe, see, hear, and respond to children’s needs, emergencies and conflicts that may occur in the child development center or on the playground.
• Lift 30 pounds from the floor to a waist-high table when necessary.
• Reach a child 20 to 30 feet away within 30 seconds without endangering the staff person’s health. 
• Crouch to a child’s height, maintain eye contact at the child’s level, sit on the floor and stand tall enough to reach children on the highest piece of equipment.
• Be aware of the cognitive, social and physical needs of children.  
• Communicate verbally and in writing in English and Spanish to the degree that child, parents and other staff members can understand and respond.  

EEO:

SJC (St. Joseph Center) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics or status as a veteran. In addition to federal law requirements, SJC complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Benefits:

Excellent Benefits package available.

Status: Full-Time/ Non-Exempt 

Salary: $43,000 - $50,000/yr

Employment with St. Joseph Center is contingent on completion of satisfactory background check.

For consideration, please submit cover letter and resume. 

EEO:

St. Joseph Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, status as a veteran and any other characteristic protected by federal law. In addition to federal law requirements, SJC complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

St. Joseph center invites you to review the current "EEO is The Law" poster as part of the application process. A link to the current poster is located below. https://www.eeoc.gov/employers/eeo-law-poster