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.

Under the supervision of the Early Learning Center Director and guidance of the Lead/Master Teacher, the Teacher will work as a member of the classroom team providing a full day program for a classroom of either toddlers or pre-school age children. Always adhering to professional conduct while carrying out the mission, vision, and values established by agency’s Executive Leadership and Board Members.  This position is responsible for assisting in providing a stimulating, safe, and developmentally appropriate educational environment where toddlers and preschool children can develop cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills. This role will assist with implementing daily lesson plans for early childhood education classrooms. Help maintain classroom records, including the assessment of children and the collection of data necessary for the evaluation of early childhood educations programs. The Teacher works as a team member with several social service professional and paraprofessional staff ensuring the delivery of quality care in accordance with the rules and regulations. 

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, mathematics, perceptual motor skills, science, language, environment awareness and social studies, in both an indoor and outdoor environment according to the planned schedule
• Assist with the usage and implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum, blending best practices with the guiding principle of a dual immersion program for children ages 18 months to 5 years old.
• 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:

• Support classroom management in accordance with the program philosophy.
• Assist with completions of assessments and evaluations of children (anecdotal and monthly)
• Assist with establishing and attaining short- and long-term goals for individual children and the group.
• Assist with arrangements, décor, appearance and learning environment of the classroom under the direction of the Lead Teacher and/or Director.
• Assist with opening and closing activities; manage sign-in and sign-out sheets.
• Supervise children and share responsibility for promoting classroom dynamics.
• Communicate any changes in children’s behavior that might affect their growth and development to the Lead Teacher, and the Director.
• Assist with complete daily health checks regarding hygiene, safety, and overall well-being of children.
• Support open communication between parents, volunteers and staff, yet maintain confidentiality of program participants.
• Assist with the classroom management and schedule.
• Serve food and participate in mealtime activities.
• Assume an equal share of general clean-up responsibilities and end of the day classroom set- up, maintaining a safe and creative environment.
• Participate in parent conference meetings and other local community events or meetings.
• Participate in all staff training during the year.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.  

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.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Preferred: 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.
• Familiar with Teaching Strategies Creative Curriculum preferred.
• 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
• Communicate verbally and in writing in English and Spanish to the degree that children, parents, and other staff members can understand and respond.

Experience:

• Preferred: Minimum of one years’ paid Teaching experience working in an early childhood education setting

Education:

• Preferred: An associate degree (AA) or higher in early childhood education or child development or a related field.
• Preferred: Maintenance of a Teacher Permit from the State Commission on Teacher Credentialing  
• *Teacher working with toddlers shall have 3 additional units in Infant/Toddler Program

Direct Reports:

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities. 

Computer Skills:

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

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations:

• Preferred: Valid Teacher Permit from the State of Commission on Teacher Credentialing
• Preferred: Valid Mandated Reporter certificate (AB 1207)
• Required: Valid First Aid and CPR certification

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.

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: $40,000 - $42,500/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