Do you want to use your skills and talents to make a lasting difference in the world? At Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet we are mission-driven, focused on positive results for people and believe that people should be treated with dignity and respect. If you feel the same way we encourage you to join us in making a difference!

Catholic Charities’ Head Start program is NAEYC Accredited as well as a Gold Circle Quality and a US Model Head Start Program.

If you desire a better work/life balance and can work in a fast paced environment with excellent growth potential, we would like to hear from you.

UPDATED 12/1/2021 COVID-19 – At CC-DOJ we seek to provide a safe environment for all employees, clients, and visitors and require all employees, volunteers, clients, and visitors to follow COVID-19 protocols.

In cooperation with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the issued Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), all Early Childhood Services Division (ECSD) staff at the time of hire must:

• Provide proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or
• Provide appropriate information and documentation for an exemption due to medical conditions or sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, or observances and if granted agree to weekly testing. Without an approved vaccine exemption, there is no option for testing in lieu of receiving the vaccine.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Under the supervision of the Site Supervisor and the assigned Teacher, the Associate Teacher is responsible for adhering to the guidelines of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Head Start Performance Standards related to Early Childhood Services in conjunction with State Licensing Standards.
• Responsible for day-to-day operations of the classroom in the absence of a Bachelor degreed teacher.
• Recruitment that takes place throughout the community as specified and designated.
• Participates in staff meetings, classroom committee meetings, and in-service training activities.
• Serves as a mentor to substitute staff.
• Participates in an on-going training program to further develop skills in child development.
• Works with classroom teacher, content area managers and staff to ensure appropriate Performance Standards are being implemented in the classroom.
• Participates in monthly reflective supervision with classroom teacher.
• On-the-job training opportunities through re-assignment to other centers will be made available as program activities and time permits.
• Other duties as assigned within the guidelines of this position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Ensures a safe and healthy environment that follows the Head Start/Early Head Start Performance Standards.
• With the teacher, implement the elements the program’s researched-based curriculum by providing fun learning experiences that encourages decision-making, cultural awareness, and exploration.
• In collaboration with the classroom teacher, make adjustments to the indoor and outdoor classroom space to reflect the individual needs and goals of children.
• With the teacher, ensures that the children are actively supervised at all times.
• Works with the Teacher to plan, organize and implement position responsibilities effectively, providing input.
• Maintain a comprehensive and ongoing portfolio assessment for each child, including daily/weekly observations in each developmental area, examples of the child's work, and a developmental assessment that is completed on an ongoing basis throughout the program year.
• In collaboration with the teacher, participate in weekly intentional planning meetings.
• In collaboration with the teacher, schedules and conducts at least two home visits and two parent conferences per year.
• In collaboration with the classroom teacher, develop individualized goals for children based on assessment results, program School Readiness Goals, State Standards, the Head Strat Early Learning Outcomes Framework B-5, child’s Individualized Family Service Plan/Individualized Education Plan, and in collaboration with parents.
• In collaboration with the teacher, complete and submit required forms and records in a timely and accurate fashion, e.g., lesson plans, meal reports etc.
• In collaboration with classroom teacher, implement activities that support achievement of learning goals and document monthly updates on children’s learning goals.
• Provide social and emotional support to children in an organized classroom inclusive of intentional teacher-child interactions. (Specific behaviors as described in the Classroom Assessment Scoring System CLASS)
• Offer ongoing opportunities for parent input on weekly lesson plans.
• Eats with children and provides appropriate social discussions and self-help skills during mealtime.
• Enter data into the online data base system weekly.
• Conduct screenings for all children within forty-five (45) days of the program year. Provide follow-up screenings and/or referrals as needed.
• Maintains and turns in accurate daily attendance and food count at point of service.
• Identifies and reports to the proper staff person about potential child abuse cases.
• Participates in the child and family staffing meetings with prepared notes from observations and assessments of children.
• Participate in daily team meetings and share information with classroom and center staff.
• Implement appropriate behavior guidance techniques.

GREAT EMPLOYER PROVIDED BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Work/Life Balance Time-off: 13 Holidays - 15 Vacation Days -12 Sick Days
• Medical/Dental/Vision Health Insurances
• Flexible Spending Account
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance
• 403B Retirement Plan with employer contributions
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Short-term Disability Insurance

• Associate’s Degree is required for this position, minimum of 36 hours of college credits in Early Childhood Education or related field if the degree is in an unrelated field is required. All degrees must come from a regionally accredited educational institution which has U.S. Department of Education approval.
• A minimum of one (1) year experience working with young children and families in a childcare setting is required; with at two (2) or more years is preferred.
• At least nineteen (19) years of age.
• Ability to communicate fluently in the English, both oral and written. Ability to communicate fluently in Spanish, both oral and written, is beneficial but not required.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of child growth and development, effective instructional strategies, classroom management, learning assessment and diagnosis, and research related to English language acquisition.
• Demonstrate the skill and competence to meet personnel qualifications as required in Part 407: Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers.
• Obtain and maintain a minimum, Illinois Gateway ECE Credential Level 3 within 2 years of employment.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and constructively with persons from all racial, diverse cultures, family systems, and social backgrounds.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, and Teams.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Passage of complete background clearance, physical and Tuberculosis (TB) Test.
• Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet, has adopted and follows the Codes of Ethics established by Catholic Charities USA, the National Association of Social Workers and the American Psychological Association. As an employee of the Agency you are expected to support these codes to the extent doing so is consistent with and allowed by applicable law.
• A valid driver’s license, reliable means of transportation and proof of liability insurance is required.