Reports To: Center Director

Department: Children & Family Services

Location: Oakland, CA or Concord, CA

Schedule: Monday through Friday

Travel: Local, including field trips, occasional home visits and required training sessions

Salary: $24.79-$26.05 per hour, plus $1,000 sign on bonus

Employee Status: Regular, Full-time, Non-Exempt

Union: SEIU 1021

Supervises: N/A

Benefits:

Three weeks of paid vacation a year, 10 sick days, 14 holidays, medical and dental benefits on the first of the month following 30-days of employment, life insurance policy at no cost to employee (with the option of increasing policy amount), flexible spending account for medical and dependent care costs, commuter benefits, 403(b) with employer match, and other benefits. We foster a joyful workplace and offer opportunities for professional development and growth.

Agency Summary

The Unity Council is a non-profit Social Equity Development Corporation with a 60-year history in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland. Our mission is to promote social equity and improve quality of life by building vibrant communities where everyone can work, learn, and thrive.

Our programs aim to provide the community with the tools, knowledge, and resources to transform their lives and ultimately achieve their long-term educational, career, and financial goals. These holistic programs and services reach more than 11,000 individuals and families annually in five languages. Programs include: early childhood education, youth mentorship and leadership development, employment services, career readiness training, housing and financial stability, senior citizen services, affordable housing and neighborhood development, and arts and cultural events. Our work expands beyond the Fruitvale district and now reaches across Oakland and into Concord. The Unity Council employs a diverse workforce of more than 350 people who reflect the linguistic, cultural, and ethnic identity of the communities we serve.

Program Summary

The Children and Family Services programs include Head Start, Early Head Start, State Pre-Kindergarten, Home Based Services, and Developmental Play Groups. Over 900 children birth through kindergarten entry and 32 expectant parents and their families receive child development and comprehensive family services through the Unity Council. The programs are diverse, multilingual, developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, and individualized for each child and family services are provided in four centers and two home-based programs throughout Oakland and Monument Corridor neighborhood in Concord, CA.

Position Summary

Under the guidance of the Center Director, the Head Start Associate Teacher provides quality primary care giving for infants or toddlers in a safe and supervised early care and education setting. Promotes the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of Early Head Start children enrolled in the program.

Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Provide relationship-based care in daily routines such as mealtime, toileting, hand washing, and napping for infants or toddlers;
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum;
• Collaborate with team on developing and implementing daily lesson plans;
• Conduct assessments, develop individual development plans and record ongoing observations of children in assigned groups;
• Prepare and conduct parent-teacher conferences for children in assigned group according to schedule of requirements;
• Conduct home visits for children in assigned groups according to schedule of requirements;
• Utilize classroom materials and routines to promote an environment conductive to appropriate levels of development, interests, and specific needs of the children;
• Maintain effective and professional relationships with enrolled families;
• Maintain a safe and healthy classroom environment in accordance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, Title 5, and Title 22 Regulations;
• Attend regular staff meetings as scheduled by Center Director or Management;
• Complete a minimum of 21 hours of Professional Development annually, including college courses towards a Teacher Permit as determined by the Professional Development Coordinator;
• Perform additional duties as assigned by Center Director and Management.

Qualifications

• Ability to create and implement daily curriculum plans;
• Ability to work harmoniously in a multi-cultural team;
• Ability to promote feelings of security and trust in infants and toddlers by being warm, supportive, and comforting;
• A caring, compassionate approach to working with children and families as well as maintaining an open, friendly and cooperative relationship with each child’s family;
• Bilingual Spanish/English or Asian Language/English preferred;
• Awareness of safe lifting techniques for lifting children, supplies and furnishings and commitment to using preventive health measures in the classroom to prevent the spread of disease.

Requirements

• Associate Teacher Permit from Commission on Teacher Credentialing;
• 15 units in ECE, including 9 units in core courses (Child, Family and Community, Child Growth and Development, and Curriculum) and 6 units in Infant/Toddler Care (infant toddler units may be in progress in in HS classroom).

Physical Requirements

Must be able climb stairs, reach, bend, lift 20-30 pounds, crawl, kneel, stoop, twist, grasp with hands and fingers materials, use arms and legs, able to walk, climb ladders if applicable.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Physical exam
• TB test
• Background/fingerprint clearance
• MMR and Tdap vaccinations,
• CPR
• Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training

This description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities or requirements for the position. This position may change or assume additional duties at any time.

*** Please submit your cover letter, resume, and transcripts. ***

The Unity Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.