Teacher 1 (T1) at Sonoma Community Action Network – Santa Rosa, California

Description: Teacher 1Job DescriptionEXEMPT: No SALARY LEVEL: $21.00-$25.90 per hour DOEDEPARTMENT: Early Childhood Education LOCATION: Sonoma County Head Start CentersSUPERVISION: Center Director HOURS: FT M-F 40 hours per week, 11 or 12 months/yrDate: 2025 APPROVED BY: Human Resources Director/ SEIU UnionAGENCY BACKGROUND: The objective of Sonoma Community Action Network (Sonoma CAN) is to partner with low-income families and individuals to help them to achieve economic and social empowerment, to build community, and to advocate for social and economic justice. Sonoma CAN operates a wide variety of programs benefiting low-income Sonoma County residents.

Our Mission: Sonoma CAN is a catalyst of equitable transformation, aligning partners and resources to implement values-based, data-driven, community-led solutions that help families reach their full potential.

Our Vision: We see our Sonoma County transformed into an empowered community of thriving families where every child is raised with joy, justice, and connection.

Our Values: Joy, Amor, Esperanza, Equity, Fuerza, Dignity, Inclusión

Our Promise: Sonoma CAN changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.

Working at SonomaCAN

At Sonoma Community Action Network (SonomaCAN), we believe that a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives strengthen our team and help us better serve our community. We are committed to fair hiring practices and a workplace where employees are treated with respect and have the opportunity to grow professionally.

We make employment decisions based on qualifications, merit, and organizational needs. Our hiring process complies with all federal, state, and local laws related to equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage individuals who meet the qualifications to apply.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE: The pay for this position ranges from $21.00 to $25.90 per hour, depending on experience/ wage matrix. Sonoma CAN offers a generous benefits package available on the first day of the month after your date of hire that includes:

• Medical insurance through Kaiser or Sutter is 80-95% paid by the employer for employee premiums, plus 50% paid by the employer for dependent coverage
• Elective dental, vision insurance, FSA, and Accident insurance.
• Employer-paid $10k of life insurance with expandable options
• Employer-paid Long-term Disability Insurance
• 401(K) plan with a 2% contribution and an additional 1% matched contribution after one year of service
• Employee assistance program, CalPerks
• Approximately 1 week vacation given in lump sum after 5 years of service
• Paid Spring and Winter break
• 96 hours of sick time per year (4 hours accrued per pay period) based on full-time work
• 1 floating personal day
• 16 paid holidays

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION:

Under the supervision of the Center Director, the Teacher I works collaboratively to support high-quality classroom experiences that promote the children’s development and school readiness. Implements curriculum, daily routines, and learning environments in alignment with Head Start Performance Standards, written service plans, and California Community Care Licensing regulations. Supports child observation, documentation, required paperwork, and occasional home visits in alignment with the Whole Family Approach. The Primary Caregiver also collaborates closely with team members to ensure the safety, well-being, and holistic development of every child, while upholding the values of equity, inclusion, and joy in early learning Responsibilities are carried out in accordance with agency policies and applicable federal and state laws. All staff are required to adhere to and exemplify the Head Start and Agency code of conduct.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• The health, safety and supervision of children in the program is essential, therefore every employee is responsible for the health, safety and supervision of children while they are present at the center
• Implement Creative Curriculum in partnership and with teaching team.Develop, participate and lead classroom activities for children
• Maintains warm, friendly and professional working relationships with children, parents and colleagues.
• Has meaningful, respectful conversations with children throughout each day
• Supports the Center Director in a minimum of 2 parent home visits and 2 conferences per child per year.The first home visit is done in partnership with the Family Outreach Worker
• Assists with screenings, observations and on-going assessment of children such as but not limited to DRDP, ASQ-3, ASQ-SE, etc.
• Implement Teaching Pyramid strategies in the classroom to promote social -emotional development of children
• Encourages language development in children in primary and secondary language
• Promote good health and nutrition and provide an environment that contributes to the prevention of illness; share in daily cleaning and sanitizing procedures
• Assist with daily paperwork as directed
• Responsible for the toileting and diapering of all children and following documentation guidelines
• Ensure confidentiality of client information and records
• Assist with special and on-going projects relevant to classroom activities
• Assume special assignments required by the Center Director
• Work in partnership with service area managers, supervisors and center staff to ensure quality services to children and families
• Participate in training and meetings as required
• Participate in the team building process within the program by using established communication channels in a constructive and productive manner that enhances the team effort while maintaining confidentiality
• Understands and implements Head Start Policies & Procedures , Head Start Performance Standards( HSPS) and Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework(HSELOF)
• Other relevant duties as assigned

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Working knowledge of the principles and practices of child development and adult learning styles.
• Understanding of the principles of bilingual and multicultural education
• Basic computer skills with word processing and email experience
• Basic oral and written communication skills
• Bilingual, Spanish/English preferred
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to culturally diverse groups and persons from low-income families
• Basic skills in reading, analyzing, and interpreting procedures and governmental regulations
• Basic ability to write reports and correspondence. Basic ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from parents, children and staff
• Basic ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals
• Basic ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of situations with good judgment
• Basic ability to interpret a variety of instructions in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form

Requirements:

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

1. 12 core units( ECE) in the area of child/human growth and development; child, family and community and program curriculum OR;
   1. A Preschool Child Development Associate credential
2. Child Development Associate Teacher Permit
3. A minimum of 6 months teaching experience in a preschool/infant-toddler classroom

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND SKILLS:

• A minimum of 3 supervision units (Can be obtained during education plan upon hire).
• AA Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field12 months of teaching experience in a preschool/infant-toddler classroom
• Bilingual English/Spanish

In addition to above;

• High School diploma or GED or equivalent
• Valid California Driver's License and a properly insured vehicle for use on the job, or other reliable transportation.
• Must complete Pediatric First Aid, CPR and Health and Safety Course (can be completed upon hire)
• Current Mandated Reporter Certificate (can be completed upon hire)

Prior to beginning work, must be able to

• Pass the Community Care Licensing criminal record clearance,
• Be up to date on immunizations MMR and TdaP
• Have a current (within one year) TB clearance
• Have a current Health Screening Report from your primary physician.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Highly dependable, takes initiative, has good judgment and is able to function with minimal supervision
• Actively engage in the growth & development of all children and in building partnerships with families.
• Works effectively in a team environment and actively participates in joint problem solving; willingly cooperates with colleagues

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here represent those that are typically required to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

This role involves regular verbal communication and active listening with children, families, and team members. The employee will frequently be expected to move around the classroom and other environments, including standing, walking, bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and sitting on the floor to engage with children in a developmentally supportive manner. The role also involves assisting with classroom safety and child supervision, which may include lifting or carrying children or supplies weighing up to 20 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally.

The position involves routine use of computers, tablets, and written documentation. Visual and auditory abilities should be sufficient for maintaining child safety, observing developmental cues, and participating in classroom and community activities. The employee drives approximately 15% of the time to attend home visits, recruitment activities, staff meetings, trainings, and site visits. Approximately 50% of the role includes documentation, data entry, and administrative tasks, and about 35% of the time is spent engaging directly with children in the classroom or family settings.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee works in outside weather conditions a minimum of 90 minutes a day. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and sometimes noisy.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that is required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.