Job Description:

Job Title: Preschool Teacher

DEADLINE:  Attach any required documents, i.e., Transcripts, Certificates, diploma and Motor Vehicle Record, to your online application by midnight on the closing date.  Late Applications or documents will not be considered.

Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Department: Tribal Education Department/Head Start Program

City: Sacaton, AZ

Location:  Various Head Start Centers 

Area of Interest: Education

Salary/ Hourly Rate: $45,969.60 - $58,469.60 Salary

Tribal Driving Permit Required: Yes

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The Preschool Teacher is responsible for direct delivery of services designed to meet the physical and developmental needs of preschool age children (ranging from birth to 5 years of age) of the Gila River Indian Community.  This position is responsible for compliance with the Head Start Performance Standards and Program Area Plans to improve children’s educational, physical, and social skills to meet School Readiness and Family Engagement outcomes for assigned children and their families. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

·Provide for the care, safety, protection, and supervision of all children in the group at all times. Maintains scheduled center activities; writes and follows lesson plans; documenting accordingly. Completes and maintains all necessary documentation to demonstrate compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards and other regulations.

·Develops and implements a developmentally appropriate curriculum for children based on the individual interests, needs, and abilities of the children in the classroom and the group as a whole. Considers goals and objectives for each child and for the group as a whole and develops realistic lesson plans responsive to the needs of all. Creates an environment and implements the daily curriculum, which reflects a developmentally appropriate anti-bias, multicultural approach.

·Demonstrate verbally and through role modeling, a sound knowledge of appropriate child guidance, growth and development.

·Participate in staff meetings, parent meetings, events and on-going professional and in-service training.

·Provide information to parents regarding their children as well as general child development information; including parent meetings and/or home visits.

·Required to report suspected abuse/neglect/maltreatment and other social service related incidents to Police department and/or Child Protective Services (CPS); apprising supervisor of report. 

·Make daily observations of children documenting behaviors and/or health problems, reports and referrals of any conditions needing attention; does child assessments in accordance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards.

·Adhere to program confidentiality policies concerning information about children, families, and other staff members;

·Promote cultural awareness and cultural diverse activities for children. 

·Maintain daily attendance and meal count for Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Serve food to children during meal/snack time observing appropriate portion sizes according to age.

·Maintains the cleanliness of the classroom, which includes, but is not limited to, putting materials away each day and cleaning tables before and after meals and activities. Arranges the physical environment to make it safe, healthy, interesting, and developmentally appropriate. Oversees maintenance and upkeep of classroom supplies, materials, and equipment. Obtains needed supplies and materials for the classroom.

·Perform other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY:

·Knowledge and understanding of developmental characteristics of Head Start age children and how to respond appropriately to their needs.

·Knowledge of nutrition, health, first aid, and CPR.

·Knowledge of lesson plan development and implementation, setting up learning environments indoor and outdoor for Head Start children.

·Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards.

·Knowledge of the O'odham and/or Pee Posh culture.

·Ability to supervise other adults and carry out assigned tasks under supervision of the Director or designee.

·Ability to follow directions, demonstrate competence in assigned task and use sound judgment.

·Ability to meet social/emotional, physical and development needs of the individual Head Start age children.

·Ability to physically participate in children’s activities, lift children and equipment and get up and down with ease.

·Ability to participate actively with children; getting up and down, lifting up to 50 pounds.

·Ability to maintain a safe, clean and pleasant environment.

·Ability to recognize signs of illness in children and environment safety hazards.

·Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.

·Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, Community Officials and the public.

·Ability to perform all physical requirements of the position; agree to maintain a Drug-free workplace.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

·Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Education, Childhood Development or closely related field with equivalent coursework and one (1) year of experience working with preschool children in a group setting; four (4) semester hours of supervised field experience, practicum, internship or student teaching setting serving children birth through grade 3 may be substituted for one (1) year of experience working with preschool children in a group setting; or

·Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Education, Childhood Development or closely related field with equivalent coursework and two (2) years of experience working with preschool children in a group setting.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT:

·Candidates that do not have a Bachelor’s degree must be enrolled or willing to enroll in an accredited college or university leading to a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Childhood Development or closely related field.  

·Current Food Handler Certification (i.e., GRIC, ServSafe, etc.) or obtain within 60 days of employment.

·Maintain current CPR & First Aid Certification or obtain certification within 60 days of employment.

·Copy of current Fingerprint Clearance Card must be provided when applying for this position and must be maintained throughout employment.

·Required to pass a background check and fingerprint clearance as a condition of employment and must continue to maintain throughout duration of employment. Background checks are required for positions that involve regular contact with or control over Community Children in accordance with The Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act, 25 U.S.C. Sections 3201 through 3210 and C.F.R. Part 63 and positions that have regular contact with the Elderly.

·Must pass an Initial Health Examination and a TB skin test; provide proof/results, including updated immunization records prior to hire date.

·Required mandatory reporter pursuant to Title 7, Chapter 2 (7.205), B.

·Required to attend Title 7 Mandatory Reporting training on a yearly basis.

·Required to obtain a Tribal Operator’s permit. Valid state driver’s license with a current proof of driving record for the past 39 months will be required to qualify for a tribal driving permit.  Proof of driving record must be submitted with application and must not be more than 60 days old from the date of submission of the application.

Non-Supervisory, Salaried Position

Reports to Director or designee

BENEFITS:

The Gila River Indian Community offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes; vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, short and long term disability benefits.

Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference Act (Title 25, U.S. Code, Section 472 and 473).  The Gila River Indian Community is also committed to achieving the full and equal opportunity without discrimination because of Race, Religion, Color, Sex, National Origin, Politics, Marital Status, Physical Handicap, Age or Sexual Orientation.  In other than the above, the Gila River Indian Community is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If you are claiming Preference in one or more of the following categories please attach a copy of the required documentation to the completed Employment Application.

Preference for Community Members (with proof of enrollment)
Preference for Native Americans (must meet membership requirement of a federally recognized Tribe.)
Preference point for Spouse of Community Member (with proof of spouse enrollment)
Preference point for Veteran (must meet statutory requirements)

HUMAN RESOURCES WILL NOT MAKE COPIES OF APPLICATIONS OR DOCUMENTS BEING SUBMITTED.  

Visit our GRIC website and apply online: www.gilariver.org