Head Start Instructor (Continuous)

Head Start Instructor (Continuous)

Salary

$25.84 - $31.74 Hourly

Location

Oakland, CA

Job Type

Full Time Civil Service

Job Number

26-PP114-08

Department

Human Services Department

Opening Date

08/01/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

SD1

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

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 roots and 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 Oaklands 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 Oaklands Human Services Department, Head Start Division, is seeking highly skilled individuals to join our team as Head Start Instructors. Come join a dynamic team of enthusiastic professionals dedicated to providing important services to a community with a rich history. Youll work with great colleagues in the Head Start Division who are fiercely passionate about public service and community.

As a Head Start Instructor, you will be responsible for the full range of instructional duties associated with teaching the children enrolled in the Head Start Program/State Preschool Program. You will work collaboratively with other teachers, family members, and staff to achieve positive outcomes for children of all abilities.

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 children
• Is a strong relationship builder with good communication skills. You will have the opportunity to interact in a culturally diverse workplace with infants, toddlers, parents, and community members.
• Has a genuine interest in learning and developing their career. Within Head Start, there are opportunities to grow professionally.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Instructing children in infant/toddler education concepts.
• 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 devising Individual Development Plans (IDP) on all children enrolled in the program; assisting in developing Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP) for special needs children.
• Maintaining a clean and organized indoor and outdoor environment, including the food service area.
• Making initial and final home visits; making additional/on-going home visits as needed.

Read the complete job description by clicking this link.

• Click on the link below to see a video on what its like to work for the City of Oakland!

Working for the City of Oakland

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will be a part of a dynamic Head Start team.
• Your work will have a direct impact on providing important services to a community with a rich and dynamic history.
• 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.
• You will have excellent learning opportunities to grow and develop your expertise in early childhood development.

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 Head Start Instructor, 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: Bachelors or advanced degree in Early Childhood Education or related field including twelve (12) post-secondary semester units or equivalent quarter units in early childhood education or child development, plus three (3) units supervised field experience in ECE/CD setting completed at an accredited or approved college or university.

AND hold, or qualify for, a Master Teacher Child Development 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 childcare center or comparable group childcare program.

Supplemental Information

The 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.

Please make sure to scan and attach your college transcripts (required documents) to your online application. Applicants who do not submit the required documents at the time of application will be screened out from further consideration.

This is a continuous recruitment. This recruitment may close without notice once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

Applications Submitted During the Below Timeframe

Review of Applications

8/1/26 - 8/31/26Week of 9/7/269/1/26 - 9/30/26Week of 10/5/2610/1/26 - 10/31/26Week of 11/2/2611/1/26 - 11/30/26Week of 12/7/2612/1/26 - 12/31/26Week of 1/4/27

Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will receive their applicable ranking on the eligible list. Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications.

In the final review, candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history, education, or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.

For this recruitment, you will be asked to complete a Supplemental Questionnaire as part of the application process regarding your experience, training, and certifications. Your responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire will be scored and used for ranking on the eligible list. Applicant responses to the supplemental questions must demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualifications to be placed on the eligible list.

Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example, if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you're applying to a "restricted" posting and you are eligible as a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every element of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass.

The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Whats in it for you?

• 15 paid holidays
• Vacation - 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
• Retirement - CalPERS (California Public Employees' Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security
• Health - The City of Oakland pays for the cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care and other HMO and PPO plans
• Dental - The City of Oakland pays for Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Vision - The City of Oakland pays for VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Sick leave - Employees accrue 12 days per year
• Deferred Compensation - 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
• Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Employee Training, & Telecommuting.

Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner, applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list.

Disaster Service Workers

All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

How to Apply

Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at:

http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oaklandca

If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Our online application system is provided by GovernmentJobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact GovernmentJobs Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system. For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Will Sun, Human Resource Analyst, at wsun@oaklandca.gov.

The City of Oakland is committed to the wellbeing of its employees and offers comprehensive health and wellness services along with an array of other benefits for most positions. Benefits may include*:

• CalPERS Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Medical Waiver Plan - Cash-In-Lieu
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Commuter Benefits
• Group & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH)
• Pension Benefits
• Deferred Compensation
• Specific benefits may vary depending on the assigned specific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Employee Benefits Information Current MOUs may be reviewed here: City of Oakland Labor Agreements

01

Be sure to answer the supplemental questions thoroughly and accurately. Applicants are responsible for clearly, completely, and accurately identifying their qualifications. The rating of the supplemental questions may determine your application status and/or rank on an eligible list. I have read and understand the statement above concerning submission of supplemental responses.

• Yes
• No

02

REQUIRED DOCUMENT: Applicants must scan and attach a copy of college transcripts and copy of a State of California Child Development Permit at Teacher (or proof of application) to qualify for participation in the recruitment process. I understand and acknowledge that my application will be considered incomplete if I do not attach the required documents.

• Yes
• No

03

This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City employees who meet the minimum qualifications. The open list will be for all other applicants who meet the minimum qualifications. Are you a current full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City of Oakland employee?

• Yes
• No

04

Please list other names used while employed by the City of Oakland. If you have not been employed by the City of Oakland put N/A.

05

If you are a current City of Oakland employee, what is your employee ID number? If not, indicate NA.

06

If you have previously been employed by the City of Oakland, please enter the dates and titles of the jobs you previously held at the City of Oakland below.

07

Do you confirm that the address on your application matches your current residency?

• Yes
• No

08

This is a public contact position. Although no current vacancies require bilingual skills in a specific language, the eligible list generated from this announcement will be used to fill positions that may or may not require bilingual language skills. For positions in this classification not requiring bilingual language skills, names will be certified in rank order (in accordance with Civil Service Rules, Section 5.02). For positions in this classification requiring selective certification of bilingual language skills, names of eligible candidates certified to the hiring authority shall be the highest ranking candidates willing to accept employment and who possess the additional and special qualifications required (in accordance with Civil Service Rules, Section 5.03, Selective Certification). Such positions will require selective bilingual skills in one or more of the following languages: Spanish, Cantonese, and Mandarin. Please note, identified bilingual skills will be tested prior to a final offer of employment. Candidates must pass the bilingual skills test to be considered for selectively certified positions. Identify the language(s) for which you have bilingual conversational proficiency. If you do not have bilingual conversational proficiency in any of the identified languages, check the appropriate box.

• Cantonese
• Mandarin
• Spanish
• I do not have bilingual conversational proficiency in any of the identified languages, but I am still interested in the position.

09

What is your educational background as it relates to the Head Start Instructor position?

• I possess a Masters Degree or higher in Early Childhood Education including twelve (12) post-secondary semester units or equivalent quarter units in early childhood education or child development, plus three (3) units supervised field experience in ECE/CD setting completed at an accredited or approved college or university;
• I possess a Masters Degree in a closely related field including twelve (12) post-secondary semester units or equivalent quarter units in early childhood education or child development, plus three (3) units supervised field experience in ECE/CD setting completed at an accredited or approved college or university;
• I possess a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education including twelve (12) post-secondary semester units or equivalent quarter units in early childhood education or child development, plus three (3) units supervised field experience in ECE/CD setting completed at an accredited or approved college or university;
• I possess a Bachelors Degree in a field closely related to Early Childhood Education including twelve (12) post-secondary semester units or equivalent quarter units in early childhood education or child development, plus three (3) units supervised field experience in ECE/CD setting completed at an accredited or approved college or university;
• I do not possess a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education nor a closely related field

10

Indicate how much work experience you have in a licensed childcare center or comparable group childcare program.

• Three or more years of full-time experience (or part-time equivalent) in a licensed childcare center or comparable group childcare program.
• More than two years, but less than three years of full-time experience (or part-time equivalent) in a licensed childcare center or comparable group childcare program.
• More than one year, but less than two years of full-time experience (or part-time equivalent) in a licensed childcare center or comparable group childcare program.
• More than six months, but less than one year of full-time experience (or part-time equivalent) in a licensed childcare center or comparable group childcare program.
• Less than 6 months of full-time experience (or part-time equivalent) in a licensed childcare center or comparable group childcare program.
• I have no experience working in a licensed childcare center or comparable group childcare program.

11

If applicable, what is the highest State of California Child Development Permit you possess?

• State of California Child Development Site Supervisor Permit or higher
• State of California Child Development Master Teacher Permit
• I meet the qualifications for State of California Child Development Master Teacher Permit, but do not possess a current permit
• I do not currently hold any of the above permits or qualify for the California Child Development Master Teacher Permit

12

Indicate which CURRENT certifications you possess.

• Pediatric First Aid
• CPR Certificate
• I do not possess any of the listed certifications

13

Answers to the above supplemental questions MUST be supported by information contained in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of this application. Answers not supported by information contained in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of this application will NOT be considered. Resumes and cover letters will not be reviewed. I have read and understand this statement.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Oakland

Address 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza - 2nd Floor

Oakland, California, 94612

Phone (510) 238-3112

Website http://www.oaklandca.gov/