Preschool Teacher, Float - Head Start

The Float Teacher works with children to promote their growth in the areas of social-emotional, physical, cognitive and language development. The Float Teacher works in all Head Start and Early Head Start classrooms within their assigned region, substituting for absent staff or vacant positions, as assigned by the Regional Team Resource Specialist.

There are several vacancies for this position. Candidates must submit an application by 6/27/25
to be considered for first-round interviews.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma or GED; and:

• Float Teacher I:
  Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education or a related degree with a minimum of 18 credit hours of Early Learning coursework.

• Float Teacher II:
  Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education or a related degree with a minimum of 18 credit hours of Early Learning coursework.

• Two years of experience in early childhood programs.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Driver qualifications are required for this position. Valid driver license, insured vehicle available for use on the job, and a satisfactory drive record for the previous three years are required.

• Successful registration with the Central Background Registry of the Child Care Division.

• CPR/First Aid Certification or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire.

• Food Handlers Card or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.

• Candidate must pass pre-employment physical examination, renewable every two years.

• Candidate must pass pre-employment and random drug/alcohol screenings.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated proficiencies in Microsoft Office (including Outlook), videoconferencing platforms, and web tools.

• Effective interpersonal communication skills, in both oral and written form.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required.

General Classroom

• Functions as a Teacher in assigned classrooms, with emphasis on classroom duties and record-keeping.

• Ensures safety in the classroom at all times, with appropriate supervision of children, utilizing the transition and counting form and procedure. Ensures children are released only to parent/guardians, or authorized adults.

• When assigned to cover in a particular class for two weeks or longer, the Float Teacher will be responsible for home visits, conferences, emergency drills, IFSP meetings, staffings, observation, screenings, assessments, and lesson planning.

• Records children's' daily attendance, working with site team to determine the cause of absences.

• Works with classroom team during pre-service, to set up classroom environment, and to maintain the environment by regularly changing/rotating materials, supplies and props.

• Creates a supportive climate and positive environment with opportunities for children to make connections with other children and staff. Uses positive redirection and strategies to provide children with a safe, secure and enjoyable experience at school.

• Participates in family style meals, taking USDA required meal counts, and leading conversation at the table to enhance the social and emotional growth of children.

• Prepares materials, activities, and projects for class.

• Integrates developmentally appropriate movement and physical activities and routines that support health and learning.

• Maintains a spontaneous and flexible attitude in meeting children's individual needs, encouraging children to verbalize their own feelings and ideas.

• Maintains a clean, sanitary, safe, and orderly classroom.

Early Head Start Classrooms

• Develops close relationships with children through nurturing and responsive interactions, along with consistent routines to maintain a continuity of care.

• Supports the social-emotional growth of infants and toddlers by using individualized responses and approaches based on their temperaments and needs.

• Utilizes consistent responses to infants' and toddlers' actions and behaviors to support learning and provide positive redirection.

• Builds social-emotional growth and language development through engaging and connecting with children during large- and small-group time, meal times, diaper changing, and bottle-feeding.

• Changes children's diapers in accordance with Program procedures.

• Works with parents whose children require potty training support.

Office/Paperwork

• Effectively uses the Child Plus and other program databases to enter or obtain information.

• Uses office time efficiently to make and receive parent phone calls, order supplies, preparing children's work to go home, preparing materials for activities, and other office work as needed.

• Verifies and submits weekly Meal Counts and Attendance forms.

Staff Development/Meetings

• Attends a variety of classes, workshops, seminars, pre-service training and other Head Start Teacher…