Teacher - Certified Education Specialist

Name of organization

The Arc of South Florida, Inc.

Name of department: The Children & Youth Department

PROGRAM

Project Thrive, ACE Academy, Children & Youth Programs and Awarded Grants.

Position: Teacher – Certified Education Specialist

Title of immediate supervisor

Early Childhood Lead Teacher, Regional Director.

Current position

• X
• EXEMPT:
• X
• FULL
• TIME: X

Proposed position: Non-Exempt: Part-Time:

Substitute

Temp / Seasonal

Job description

General responsibilities of the early childhood special education teacher

• The teacher is responsible for the overall supervision of the classroom and assuring the health and safety of all the children in attendance in the birth-Through-Two program.
• The teacher is actively involved in all aspects of the program including but not limited to direct interaction with the children, families, and staff of the children & youth department and its programs, compliance with all contract and supervising agencies, and completion of all required record keeping.

Specific Program Qualifications for the Birth-through Two program

Associates Degree required. Bachelor’s Degree preferred. Degrees in Early Childhood Education or related fields are preferred.

Qualifications

1. Complete DCF Training hours in a specified period of time 2. Bilingual (Preferred) 3. Level 2 Background check and drug test 4. Authorization to work in the USA

Specific Duties - including but not limited to

Responsibilities: and Duties:

• 1. Educational / Curriculum Responsibilities
• Create a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the developmental level of the children.
• Organize an accessible classroom arrangement that includes all learning centers.
• Prepare and post lesson plans in advance based on High/Scope principles of learning, program requirements, Individual Family Support Plans.
• Employ a variety of instructional techniques consistent with the special needs and capabilities of the children involved. This includes educational modifications, adaptive equipment and behavioral plans as appropriate.
• Assess children’s learning regularly according to program requirements and provide progress reports as required.
• Participate in accreditation process for the site.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law and administrative regulation.
• Follow all Children’s Trust requirements for EEI summer camp programming and assessments.

• 2. Interactions with children
• Initiate interactions with children including physical and verbal interactions that are developmentally appropriate, caring and nurturing.
• Use positive behavior supports to encourage appropriate classroom behavior.
• Participate in all aspects of care of children including diapering, feeding and positioning.
• Be responsible for knowledge about the health conditions of children under your care and implement any health and safety procedures necessary. This includes, but is not limited to, specific health conditions, allergies, and feeding needs.
• Incorporate therapy recommendations for best practices in positioning and implementation of the therapeutic activities in the classroom.

• 3. Interactions with Families
• Maintain positive interactions with families at all times.
• Participate in Individual Family Support Plan meetings as part of a Multi-disciplinary team with the MDCPS Staffing Specialist.
• Complete quarterly assessments of children’s developmental areas for funders and families.
• Attend parent education and support activities (Open House)
• Follow agency guidelines regarding technology and social media.

• 4. Interactions with Staff
• Coach and mentor Teacher Assistants in developmentally appropriate classroom practices with children.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with others.
• Provide observations and suggestions to supervisors.

• 5. Training
• Complete initial orientation provided by the program.
• Participate in ongoing in-service trainings.
• Complete 45 hour and 10 hour training required by the Department of Children and Families of all early educators if required by the program within 90 days of hire.
• Complete EEI summer camp specific orientation and professional development requirements.

• 6. Policies and Procedures
• Follow all agency Policies and Procedures and the Employee Handbook
• Comply with quality assurance expectations and standards.
• Safety:

• 1. Follow all Agency safety and security policies and procedures 2. Report accidents, injuries and unsafe work conditions to the Site Director or assignee
• Ensure that personal appearance is professional and clean, following the dress code of the Children and Youth Department and wear the uniform of the program as required.
• Speak with others using clear and professional language
• Maintain child confidentiality
• Maintain Agency confidentiality
• Protect Agency assets
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect children, equipment, materials and facilities.

• 7. Other
• Participate in fundraising activities and agency events throughout the year.
• Present a positive image of The Arc of South Florida to the community.
• Attend community meetings needed for contract compliance and the Department Director’s directive.
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Perform other related and additional duties as needed.

Minimum Physical Requirements & Skills

• 1.
• Must have TB Tine test.
• 2.
• Must be able to move, lift, carry, push, pull, and place objects weighing less than or equal to 10 pounds without assistance.
• 3.
• Must be able to bend, squat, and sit on the floor and move around the classroom and playground with the children.
• 4.
• Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds with assistance, if necessary.
• 5.
• Must be able to work under pressure, dealing with events that are often outside of your control, and unforeseen changes/problems.
• 6.
• Effective planning and time-management.
• 7.
• Must be able to stay alert and focused at all times to ensure the safety of ALL the children in attendance, and be ready to react in any situation.

Pay Range

based on education, prior experience, knowledge and funding.

The Arc of South Florida, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and fully subscribes to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity. Applicants and/or employees are considered for hire, promotion and job status, without regard to race, color, citizenship, religion, national origin, age, sex (including sexual orientation, and gender identity), disability, genetic information, veteran, or current or future military status or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

The Arc of South Florida, Inc. is a drug free workplace. All applicants under consideration for employment will be drug screened and background checked as part of the hiring process.

Disclaimer

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. These may differ according to the age and functioning level of the child.

This position is subject to continuation of funding from government and private funding sources and grants.

COVID-19 considerations

The Arc of South Florida, Inc. follows all DCF and CDC guidelines for COVID safety.

EEOC

The Arc of South Florida inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state

Clearinghouse Education & Awareness (HB 531)

Positions requiring background screening through the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse must include the Education & Awareness link: https://info.flclearinghouse.com [https://info.flclearinghouse.com/]