Early Head Start Instructor (Continuous)

The Position

The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city's historical rootsand the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.

Why join the City of Oakland Human Services Department?

Situated at the heart of the Bay Area, the City of Oakland is a vibrant, diverse, and exciting place to work. It is easily accessible, at the forefront of Race and Equity work, and a full-service organization with many innovative community services.

Are you searching for a fulfilling career that allows you to make a difference and have a positive impact on the local community? Look no further! The City of Oakland's Human Services Department, Head Start Division, is seeking highly skilled individuals to join our team as an Early Head Start Instructor. Come join a dynamic team of enthusiastic professionals dedicated to providing important services to a community with a rich history. You'll work with great colleagues in the Head Start Division who are fiercely passionate about public service and community.

As an Early Head Start Instructor, in centers or conducting home visits, you may instruct children enrolled in Early Head Start Programs; facilitate learning activities for caregivers on early childhood development concepts; assist in developmental assessments; organize and set up education and play materials for classroom and/or make home visits; and perform related duties as assigned.

We are looking for someone who:

• Is a passionate educator who wants to make a positive difference in the lives of Oakland children and families
• Likes to plan developmentally age-appropriate activities for infants and toddlers
• Is a strong relationship builder with good communication skills. You will have the opportunity to interact in a culturally diverse workplace with infants, toddlers, caregivers, and community members.
• Has a genuine interest in learning and developing their career. Within Head Start, there are opportunities to grow professionally.
• Is open to working with infants and toddlers with varying emotional, physical and developmental levels and ways of learning.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Instructing children in infant/toddler education concepts, utilizing research-based curriculum.
• Organizing and setting up developmentally appropriate education and play materials for the classroom and/or the home.
• Conducting fire, disaster, and safety drills in the classroom; inspecting facility for safety standards and maintenance needs.
• Assisting in planning, organizing, and scheduling daily activities at the center classroom or in the home.
• Conducting developmental screenings, ongoing child observations, developmental assessments and creating Individual Development Plans (IDP) on all children enrolled in program; ensuring goals for children with special needs are met
• Conducting a minimum of 2 home visits and conducting parent conferences home visits; making additional and on-going home visits as needed.
• Collaborating with caregivers in providing an individualized educational program for their children in the home.

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will be a part of a dynamic Head Start team.
• You will have the opportunity to create innovative early education experiences for young children.
• You will have great colleagues. Head Start employees are fiercely passionate about public service and community, and proud to uplift Oakland as a dynamic, innovative, vibrant city.
• Ongoing training and professional development and coaching.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• Teachers need to find balance in their teaching style to ensure all children are learning as their skill levels may vary within the classroom.
• As a teacher, you will face a considerable amount of change, and you must remain flexible and adaptable.
• You will need to maintain composure, keeping emotions in control, in difficult situations.

Competencies Required:

• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• General Physical Ability: Using strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and coordination
• Handling & Resolving Conflict: Managing interpersonally strained situations
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity.
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Reading Comprehension: Understanding and using written information
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
• Valuing Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing

Minimum Requirements for Application

This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City and Port of Oakland employees who maintain employment for the duration of the recruitment and pass all stages of the recruitment process. The open list will be for all other applicants who pass all stages of the recruitment process.

This is a public contact position. The City highly encourages all bilingual candidates to apply! Some positions may require bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin. Under the authority of Civil Service Rules Section 5.03, if a position requires bilingual language skills, only those candidates who have indicated they are bilingual in the required language(s) will be referred. Bilingual candidates will be required to successfully pass a language proficiency test if selected for hire.

Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications is acceptable.

Education:

An Associate, Bachelor's or advanced degree in Early Childhood Education/Child Development (ECE/CD) or related field including three (3) units supervised field experience in early childhood education/child development (ECE/CD) completed at an accredited or approved college or university, three (3) units of which must be in infant/toddler coursework.

OR

Twenty-four (24) units in ECE/CD including core courses plus sixteen (16) General Education (GE) units completed at an accredited or approved college or university, three (3) units of which must be in infant/toddler coursework.

AND hold, or qualify for, a Teacher Permit (or higher level permit) issued by the State of California.

Experience:

Six months of full-time work experience or one year of part-time experience in a licensed child care center or comparable group child care program.

License or Certificate / Other Requirements

Individuals who are appointed to this position will be required to maintain a valid California Driver's License throughout the tenure of employment OR demonstrate the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as required in the performance of duties. Must obtain a State of California Child Development Permit at the Teacher level within six months of employment and maintain throughout tenure of employment. Must demonstrate proof of application for Teacher (or higher level) permit from the State of California upon hire. Failure to obtain relevant teaching permit within six months will be grounds for removal during probation. Must obtain Pediatric First Aid and CPR certifications within one year of employment and maintain throughout tenure of employment. OTHER REQUIREMENTS Depending on nature of assignment, candidates who receive offers of employment will be required to submit fingerprints, undergo a criminal record clearance, and have a physical examination including a TB screening. Proficiency in a foreign language may be required.

Supplemental Information

Recruitment Process:

The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the "minimum qualifications" listed for each position.

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