Job Description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under the direct supervision of the Education & Disabilities Manager, develops, plans, and instructs children in activities designed to promote social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth and development, to enable a successful transition into kindergarten. Maintains a safe and healthy learning environment that reflects the Pueblo’s Culture. Maintains confidentiality of all privileged information.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Work under the direct supervision of the Education & Disabilities Manager.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Supervision of Teacher Assistant in classroom.

NATURE OF WORK

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops written daily, weekly, and monthly lesson plans in a manner that will develop each child’s physical, emotional, intellectual, and social behavior and in accordance with Head Start strategic plan; plans activities to stimulate growth in language, social, and motor skills.
• Provides stimulation activities and experiences in all curriculum areas; avoids activities causing over-stimulation or fatigue.
• Provides and supervises a variety of experiences by means of dramatic play, storytelling, field trips, and group discussion to stimulate students’ interest in and broaden understanding of their physical and social environment.
• Encourages children to take pride in their cultural heritage.
• Provides resources for special needs referrals such as speech, hearing, and behavior modification.
• Encourages children to develop their independence by assigning responsibilities to individuals and challenging each child with increasingly difficult tasks.
• Accompanies and transports children on field trips or to activities.
• Instructs children in practices of personal cleanliness and self-care.
• Fosters cooperative social behavior; promotes self-expression and appreciation of aesthetic experiences.
• Ensures the cleanliness and safety of materials, classroom, and playgrounds by performing routine inspections.
• Assists classroom volunteers and parents in feeling welcomed, comfortable, and involved.
• Maintains effective working relationships with parents by providing opportunities for parent participation.
• Observes and records each individual child’s progress and growth for planning future lessons and sharing information with parents; meets regularly with parents; provides regular written progress reports.
• Conducts home visits with families in coordination with other program staff for purposes of assessment, support, and sharing information on parenting, educational strategies, and classroom progress.
• Updates the Parent Communication ensuring accurate and timely information.
• Attends monthly parent meetings; occasional weekend events; and other program coordinated activities.
• Assists bus drivers on a scheduled basis to monitor children who are provided transportations services.
• Processes referrals requesting diagnostic testing to the appropriate Coordinator.
• Maintains confidential individual progress records for all children and staff, ensuring complete, accurate, and current files.
• Establishes classroom rules and routines that are understood and accepted by children and their parents.
• Completes attendance records and accident and incident reports.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by: conducting research; attending seminars, educational workshops, classes and conferences; reviewing professional publications; establishing networks; participating in professional societies; and conferring with representatives of contracting agencies and related organizations.
• Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.
• Performs other duties as required.

JOB FUNCTION

• Knowledge of traditional form of government and pueblo customs and traditions.
• Knowledge of the functions and structure of Ohkay Owingeh.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, county, and local laws, regulations, and requirements.
• Knowledge of records management procedures.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices and methods of preschool curriculum development.
• Knowledge of early childhood development, diet, and nutrition guidelines.
• Knowledge of business English, proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic arithmetic.
• Ability to communicate effectively in the English both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds and with co-workers at all levels.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals and demonstrate leadership and team-building skills with empathy and enthusiasm.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to analyze situations and adopt appropriate courses of action.
• Ability to work independently and meet strict time lines.
• Ability to make solid decisions and exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draws valid conclusions.
• Ability to demonstrate moral character, honesty, tact, fairness, lack of prejudice, and desire to help when dealing with people.
• Ability to work extended hours and various work schedules.
• Ability to supervise and ensure a safe learning environment for young children.
• Ability to adapt curriculum to meet the needs of all children including at-risk, special needs, gifted, and culturally diverse populations.
• Ability to respond to emergency or crisis situations.
• Ability to demonstrate excellence in everything, and continually seek improvement in results.
• Ability to prepare accurate, complete, and legible reports and create and present detailed, accurate, objective, and effective speeches and presentations.
• Skill in operating business computers and office machines, including in a Windows environment, specifically Word, Excel, Access, and presentation software (such as PowerPoint).
• Skill in analyzing problems, projecting consequences, identifying solutions, and implementing recommendations.
• Skill in classroom management.
• Skill in preparing reports and correspondence.
• Skill in directing the activities of groups of children; evaluating progress and maintaining an orderly classroom.
• Skill in writing lesson plans and using curriculum guides.
• Must satisfy health requirements as defined by the federal program standards.
• Certified Child Development Associate (CDA).
• Certified in First Aid and CPR.
• Possession of Food Handler’s Certificate.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Associate degree in Early Childhood Development or related field plus three (3) years’ experience working with children at the pre-school level; experience working with parents of young children preferred; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must satisfy health requirements as defined by the Federal Program Standards and be certified as a Child Development Associate (CDA).
• Must be willing to sign a confidentiality statement upon hire.
• Must be familiar with community resources that assist youth and families in the communities we service.
• Must be culturally sensitive and be able to work effectively with individuals from different ethnic backgrounds.
• Must be physically able to perform job duties.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality.
• Strong clerical and computer/database skills; proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook.
• Current valid New Mexico’s Driver’s License with no DWI’s.
• Must be insurable through the Pueblos insurance Carrier.
• No felony convictions or gross misdemeanors within the past ten years.
• Must successfully be able to successfully pass a pre-employment drug/alcohol screen and background investigation.

NATIVE AMERICAN PREFERENCE
VETERAN PREFERENCE

SUBMIT APPLICATION AND RESUME TO:
OHKAY OWINGEH HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
PO BOX 1099, OHKAY OWINGEH, NEW MEXICO 87566
FAX (505) 852-0093
lydell.lewis@ohkay.org

When required of the position, attach a copy of high school /GED, college education, certification(s) or license(s).

For Application Click Here

Incomplete applications may delay or exclude consideration of your application