Reports to: PACE Coordinator    Class Code: 4311

Pay grade: 7030                   AFHN        FLSA: Non-exempt

Hourly Wage $ 19.62

NATURE OF WORK

Serving the public by participating in teaching children in the Early Head Start Program and includes assisting in providing a supporting and nurturing environment for the development of infants and toddlers in a center setting.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Provides a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate Infant/toddler program to ensure that our youngest children have a solid foundation for life. Provides a safe and nurturing environment.  Promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of the children enrolled in the Early Head Start Program, including children with special needs. Promotes family engagement in all aspects of the program.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (These essential duties are only illustrative.)

Establishes a positive classroom climate and guides the behavior of children in a positive, effective way.

Assists and trains children in personal hygiene activities.

Implements agency-adopted curricula, using effective strategies to guide learning and development. Adapts curriculum to address and meet individual goals for children including those with an individualized family service plan (IFSP).

Creates a learning environment focused on promoting growth in the developmental progressions described in the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five by using the framework and curricula 

Works cooperatively with co-teacher, family support staff and volunteers, using a team approach to classroom management.  Reports potential problems and concerns to PACE Coordinator as appropriate. Provides direction to volunteers when appropriate.

Coordinates a class of infants and toddlers and maintains all required reporting forms as outlined in the procedure's manual and program plan. 

Works with co-teacher in lesson planning, administering developmental screening and completing referral for IFSPs as outlined in the procedure's manual.

Communicates changes concerning children to Co-teacher.

Reports potential classroom, children or family problems and concerns to Co-teacher, Family Support Specialist, or PACE Coordinator, as appropriate.

Prepares, organizes and submits on-going child assessments, screenings and other required reports as outlined in the procedure's manual.

Participates in annual program review process.

Assists in recruitment of Head Start eligible children for enrollment into the program.

Carries out the best practice for safety procedures concerning children, staff, families, and community individuals.

Assists in cleaning facility, playground, and other areas applicable to the well-being and image of the program.

Participates in the development and implementation of a personal Professional Development Plan as outlined by the City of Rockford Head Start Program, including research-based coaching.

Develops partnership relationships with parents in Early Head Start Program and encourages each parent to take an active role in the child’s Head Start experience.

Participates in activities and displays attitudes that promote positive public relations and positive image for the program and agency.

Maintains reasonable and predictable attendance.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the supervision of the PACE Coordinator.  Detailed instruction and close supervision are initially provided for employees with no training or experience however, once an employee experiences all tasks of the position, work is performed independently.  A supervisor or an employee of a higher-level classification is available to advise or assist as necessary or provide guidance on new or unusual tasks.  Work is reviewed in progress and upon completion for quality, thoroughness, accuracy, and conformance to established policies and procedures.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Supervision is not a responsibility of positions of this class, although functional direction may be exercised over other employees and trainees in connection with various activities of the program.  Employees may provide training in operational procedures, orient new employees, or assist in resolving unusual or difficult problems.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is performed primarily in an office and classroom setting, although home visits involve traveling throughout the county. Work activities may also involve attending meetings, conferences, and training, that involves out-of-town travel.  Ability to lift up to 60 pounds occasionally is required.

Americans with Disability Specifications on 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 occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. 

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 

SUCCESS FACTORS

Ability to apply Early Childhood Development (focus on infant/toddlers) theory in daily activities. 

Some knowledge of the educational requirements of the Head Start Program and DCFS regulations.

Some knowledge of the good hygiene practices in a center setting.

Ability to make decisions and problem-solve.

Ability to work as a team member collaborating with staff, families and community resources.

Regular kneeling, bending, stooping and sitting on the floor to attend to children’s needs.

Ability to communicate effectively with children, parents, and others.

Ability to attend regular and ongoing professional development training in early childhood.

Skill in the operation of a personal computer.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or 60 credit hours, 18 of which should be in early child development.  Completion of one year teaching experience in Early Childhood Education.  Any satisfactory equivalent combination of experience and training which ensures the ability to perform the work may be substituted for the required experience.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Possession of a valid IL Driver’s License.

CDA, First Aid, CPR, and Food Sanitation Certificates.

Must meet Illinois DCFS licensing standards and or Head Start Performance Standards.

Residency Requirement:

Modified November 15, 2021: All employees (except Police Sworn and Fire Sworn) hired on or after June 1, 2018, shall reside anywhere in Winnebago County or within fifteen (15) miles of Rockford City Hall (425 E. State Street Rockford, IL 61104) within six (6) months after their introductory

Effective June 1, 2018, all newly hired employees, including newly hired Department Heads, shall live within the municipal boundaries of City of Rockford within six (6) months of their completion of their introductory period.

Classified employees hired after January 1, 1984, may live anywhere in Winnebago County or anywhere within an area fifteen (15) miles from the Public Safety Building within six (6) months of their date of completion of probation.  Employees hired prior to January 1, 1984, shall be subject to their conditions of employment in effect at that time.