Employment Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt, & Full Year Position (12 Months)
Compensation Range: Budgeted Hourly Rate Range: $27.86-$33.94 (Step 1-Step 9)
Generous Employee Benefits: ACA Compliant Health Insurance Benefits, Aflac, Dental, Life, and Vision plans.
- Paid Holidays, Sick Leave, and Personnel Necessity (PN) Hours: 14 Paid Holidays, 21 Days of Paid Vacation: Accrue at the rate of 14 hours per month worked, (1 year of employment = 168 hours), 14 Paid Sick leave, includes 3 Days of Personal Necessity: Accrue at the rate of 9.5 hours per month (1 year of employment= 114)
- Employer Funded Retirement Plan- Foundation contributes 5% after one year of service, you can voluntarily make contributions at the start of your employment.
- Free Employee Assistance Program(s) - EASE & EAP
- $500.00 Employer Funded-Flexible Spending Account for Plan Year 2025
Summary of Duties
The Classroom Specialist (CS) is considered an early education expert who plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of early childhood education by providing individualized coaching and support to selected teaching staff within Head Start, Early Head Start, and State Preschool classrooms. This position focuses on strengthening instructional practices, promoting professional growth, and improving classroom environments to ensure high-quality learning experience for young children. The CS works in classrooms daily, in collaboration for directives from the Education Coordinator and Child Development Specialist Supervisor to help develop and implement Professional Development (PD) Goals aligned with program priorities. Furthermore, coaching, and mentoring strategies will be informed by assessment data from tools such as the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP), Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS), Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS), and other relevant sources identified by program administration. Thus, the CS position requires skills to build trusting relationships with teaching staff, knowledge of analyzing early childhood education data to understand professional development needs that individualize, and target supports with minimal supervision.
Work Location: FOUNDATION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, INC. (Main Office and Sites)
Main Office: 3450 East Sierra Madre Boulevard Pasadena, California 91107
Frequent travel will be assigned to report to our designated sites HS/EHS/SPS sites.
- Boyle Heights, Echo Park, Hollywood, and Lincoln Heights
Review our website: www.foundationheadstart.org for specific site locations.
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Summary of Job Duties, Knowledge & Skills
(Job Description available from HR)
- Assists the teaching team in establishing and promoting productive relationships with families and other agency staff, to increase support to enrolled families that meet their child's needs.
- Assists the team in the implementation process of effective teaching strategies by making the necessary adaptations in the program to meet the individual needs of children including and not limited to various disabilities, cultural backgrounds, linguistic groups, etc.
- Conducts classroom visits, in-person or virtual to observe classroom activities, teacher-child interaction, and provides on-site support to teaching staff.
- Conducts and models effective teaching practices for teaching staff, which include implementing the curriculum and using positive behavioral guidance using ABCs of behavior, setting classroom routines, and following the Agency’s Policies and Procedures.
- Ensures the teacher writes and maintains proper records on child observations to complete accurate child assessments (DRDP)
- Ensures utilization of assessment data to identify areas for improvement and tailor support to address individual and classroom needs to provide personalized coaching and mentorship to teaching staff, fostering professional growth and classroom excellence.
- Supports teaching staff, in collaboration with others such as Mental Health Specialists regarding child’s behavior and recommends teaching strategies to support learning experiences.
- Provides leadership to the teaching team by assisting them in designing daily classroom schedules that promote children’s physical, emotional, social, language, and cognitive development according to the Creative Curriculum model and any other agency policies and procedures to meet the Head Start performance standards.
- Trains and models for the teaching team or assigned staff practices to support classroom management and best practices: daily routines and schedules, classroom management, establishing transitions, implementation of various Policies and Procedures, and time management in the classroom.
Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field pus equivalent coursework and experience related to early childhood education as defined within the Head Start Act, section 648A (a)(2)(i)-(ii), preferably supplemented by a master's degree in a field related to Education.
Experience: At least five years’ experience of professional teaching and administrative experience in preschool-aged programs are required, preferably including performing varied administrative assignments and teaching adults.
Knowledge & Skills:
- Ability to communicate with parents, children, families, and colleagues.
- Ability to work effectively with a variety of adults.
- Ability to work independently and proactively, analyzing data and trends to drive decision-making.
- The capacity to offer assistance to teachers in the implementation of curricula to meet the group and individual needs of the children enrolled in our programs.
- Must have knowledge of Head Start goals and objectives for young children and their families.
- Knowledge to develop PowerPoint presentations and other training tools to present to staff, and support teachers, children, and families.
- Knowledge in Outlook 365, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams.
- Knowledge in ChildPlus is preferred.
- Knowledge in Virtual Platforms (Zoom, Google Meet, GoToMeetings, etc.) to set-up and assist in conducting meeting(s)
- Understanding of an ability to provide training in principles of child growth and development, School Readiness.
- Understanding of various cultural backgrounds of Head Start families.
Licenses/Permits/Certifications:
- California Child Development Program Director Permit
- CLASS Reliability Certification or commit to completing this certification within six months of employment.
- Valid Class C Driver’s license & legally required automobile insurance
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Prior to hire, the following must be assured:
Eligibility to Work: All potential employees will be asked to present supporting documents establishing proof of identity and employment eligibility upon completing the I-9 Form.
Medical Examination: Must submit a medical examination demonstrating capability to perform the type of work required; must submit a tuberculin skin test or chest x-ray. Proof of the following immunizations: Influenza, Pertussis TDAP (Whooping Cough), Measles (MMR).
Fingerprint Clearances: All potential employees will be subject to obtain fingerprint clearances from the Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Child Abuse Index (CACI), prior to starting work.
Other Special Requirement: Must have the use of an automobile with adequate insurance coverage and a valid California’s Driver’s License.
Failure to meet medical standards and/or criminal record clearance may result in withdrawal of job appointment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk and must be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Ability to meet physical requirements of the position per attached Physical Demand Analysis, with or without reasonable accommodation.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Applicants must complete the Foundation for Early Childhood Education employment application. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of application materials.
Please use the link below to complete the application and submit your documentation:
https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/All/17eff847-f426-4170-8652-62276b005ec3/Foundation-for-Early-Childhood-Education
Please Note: Applications and all required documents must be submitted through the Paylocity feature, by the due date listed in this job posting.
PROGRAM SUMMARY
Foundation for Early Childhood Education, Inc. (Foundation) is a Head Start/Early Head Start Delegate Agency and State Preschool Grantee. As a nonprofit organization, we have supported young children and their families for over 50 years with Early Childhood and family services. Foundation for ECE, Inc. currently operates nineteen preschool sites in Los Angeles County located in: Boyle Heights, Echo Park, Hollywood, and Lincoln Heights. Foundation for ECE, Inc. also collaborates with HACLA and LA City. The program fosters Family Engagement in all the areas of a child’s development and provides comprehensive resources to low-income families in the areas of health, nutrition, and community resources. Foundation is a comprehensive early childhood education program with a focus on child development that includes a child’s cognitive, physical, social emotional growth, and development.