Lead Teacher

Since 1977, Sojourner Center has been a safe haven from domestic violence for women and their children in Arizona. Since our founding, we have transformed lives by providing shelter and support services to more than 60,000 adults and children affected by domestic violence. We provide a broad spectrum of services to victims of domestic violence, while working with professionals in the field on education, research and advocacy with the goal of ending domestic violence.

The Lead Teacher works in the Child Development Center and is responsible for ensuring the care, safety and well-being of all children in their assigned group. The Lead Teacher plans and implements developmentally appropriate activities, develops partnerships with mothers accessing family support services, facilitates classes on campus, and carries out the Sojourner Center mission.

Schedule May be required to work evenings and/or weekends as needed

Positions Available 1 (Monday – Friday 930am – 600pm)

Pay Rate $18.00/hour ($18.90/hour after bilingual assessment)

Essential Functions

• Ensures the care and well-being of enrolled children including appropriate supervision; engages in quality learning experiences and interacts physically through play indoors and outside; provides positive guidance; assists with personal hygiene routines; provides emotional support; teaches appropriate social skills; fosters self-esteem, autonomy, and a sense of personal power; and encourages growth and healing.
• Ensures a safe, warm, and inviting classroom environment and maintains developmentally appropriate curriculum and daily routine for assigned children, taking into consideration knowledge of child development, risk and protective factors, and best practices in early childhood education.
• Recognizes and effectively responds to impacts of domestic violence and trauma; provides family outreach and support to assigned families; facilitates assigned classes on campus for children or families.
• Assesses needs of participants, assists mothers and children in solving problems; provides hope, encouragement, and resources to families.
• Discerns and prioritizes safety issues with children and adults and takes appropriate action to create safety.
• Participates in the care and maintenance of the facility, equipment, and supplies including but not limited to moving furniture, loosening sand using a shovel; performs cleaning and sanitation tasks such as sweeping, mopping, cleaning bathroom fixtures, walls, and windows in accordance with ADHS Child Care Licensing regulations; documents completion of cleaning on a daily basis; submits work orders for necessary facility maintenance.
• Performs duties such as retrieving meals from the kitchen and serving them to enrolled children and accompanying children to and from the school bus.
• Documents services in a timely fashion and in accordance with established guidelines including attendance, provision of meals, monitoring of health, well-being, and safety, activities offered, and record of children’s developmental progress as well as concern.
• Participates in ongoing training and professional development within the organization and with community partners such as Quality First.
  
  
  

Competencies (Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities)

To perform the essential functions of this job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies

• Problem solving/critical thinking/crisis intervention—the individual identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Interpersonal skills—the individual maintains confidentiality, remains open to others’ ideas, and exhibits willingness to try new things; is compassionate and empathic provides caring, quality support to residents, staff, and others.
• Communication—the individual speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; demonstrates group presentation skills and conducts meetings; their written communication presents data effectively and the individual is able to read and interpret written information.
• Computer skills – the individual demonstrates basic knowledge of Microsoft Outlook and Word, timekeeping system, Internet searching, keyboarding, and ability to learn other specialized computer applications.
• Planning/organizing—the individual prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently, and develops realistic action plans; demonstrates thoroughness and monitors own work.
• Adaptability/flexibility—the individual adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands, and is able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Dependability—the individual is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction, and solicits feedback to improve performance.
• Safety and security—the individual actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures, and uses equipment and materials properly.
• Promotes open communication and contributes to an environment of trust and mutual respect.
• Recognizes, values, and affirms social diversity that contributes richness to the Sojourner Center community, ensuring cultural competency in the provision of services.
• Values being part of, and contributes to, a culture of performance, teamwork, collaboration, growth, and continuous improvement, including licensure and accreditation compliance.
• Understands and supports Sojourner Center Vision, Mission, Values, and Strategic Goals.
  
  
  

Education, Experience, and Other Requirements

• At least 21 years of age.
• An undergraduate degree or higher in one of the following child-related fields Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Social Work, Elementary Education, Early Childhood Special Education and one (1) year of experience as a Lead Teacher or Assistant Teacher; OR, a minimum of 12 credits in early childhood education and early child development and two (2) years of experience as a Lead Teacher serving children ages birth to five (5); OR, a national competency-based credential such as the CDA and two (2) years of experience as a Lead Teacher serving children birth to age five (5).
• Ability to obtain a Level I Fingerprint Clearance Card.
• Valid certification in pediatric first aid and CPR.
• Bilingual Spanish-English preferred.
  
  
  

Physical Factors/Working Conditions

• Sits, stands, walks, runs, lifts children; reaches, stoops, bends, lifts, carries, manipulates various objects.
• Has the potential to be exposed to infectious diseases and must use Universal Precautions.
• Required to spend time outside daily regardless of weather conditions.
• Has a risk of physical danger due to the nature of the population served.
• Utilizes computer and standard office equipment.
  
  
  

Other Duties

• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  
  

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a complete comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.

EEO Employer

PCN# 500-008 (KC)