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.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Work under the direct supervision of the Education & Disabilities Manager

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None

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.
• Strong clerical and computer/database skills; proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook.
• Must satisfy health requirements as defined by the federal program standards.
• 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.
• Performs other duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, SKILLS, AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• 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.

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.
• Certified Child Development Associate (CDA).
• Certified in First Aid and CPR.
• Possession of Food Handler’s Certificate.
• Current valid New Mexico’s Driver’s License
• Must successfully be able to successfully pass a pre-employment drug/alcohol screen and background investigation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to stand; sit; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.  The employee occasionally is required to climb or balance.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is generally performed in a classroom setting with a moderate noise level.  Evening, weekend, and/or holiday work may be required.  Travel is required for training, meetings, conferences, presentations, and other events.

The position description identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.

NATIVE AMERICAN PREFERENCE

VETERAN PREFERENCE

SUBMIT APPLICATION AND RESUME TO

OHKAY OWINGEH HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

OR VIA EMAIL TO:

humanresources@ohkay.org

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

Incomplete applications may delay or exclude consideration of your application.