Early Childhood Teacher (Lead Preschool Teacher)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Please attach a resume and documentation of Early Childhood Teacher qualifications:

• Current Early Childhood Credential 3.0

OR

• Experience documentation
• College transcripts

• Must be at least 18 years old

 
Education:  

• Must meet the education and experience guidelines for an Early Childhood Teacher as outlined in the Colorado Department of Early Childhood Rules and Regulations 7.702.45 AAn Early Childhood Teacher, assigned responsibility for a single group of children and working under the supervision of a Director, must be 18 year of age and meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • A Bachelor’s Master’s or Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following: 

    • Child Development; 

    • Child Psychology; 

    • Early Childhood Education; 

    • Early Childhood Special Education; 

    • Educational Leadership & Administration; 

    • Elementary Education; 

    • Family & Human Development; 

    • Family Studies or 

    • Special Education.

  • A Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university with a major area of study in any area other than those listed above and an additional two- three semester credit hour courses in Early Child Education with one course as the following:

    • Introduction to Early Childhood Professions or

    • Early Childhood Guidance Strategies for Children or has been issued a Colorado Pyramid Model Training certificate of completion

  • An Associate’s degree (60 semester credit hours) from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Education or Child Development which must include at least two- three semester credit hour courses in either 

    • Introduction to Early Childhood Professions or

    • Early Childhood Guidance Strategies for Children or has been issued a Colorado Pyramid Model Training certificate of completion

  • A current professional teaching license issued by the Colorado Department of Education with an Endorsement in the area of Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, or Early Childhood Special Education Specialist.

  • A current Early Childhood Professional Credential Level II or higher in Version 3.0 as determined by the Department

  • Completion of a course of training approved by the Department and published on the Department’s approved list; and nine months (1,365 hours) of verified experience in the care and supervision of four or more children less than eight years of age who are not related to the individual

  • Three months (455 hours) of verified experience in the care and supervision of four or more children less than eight years of age who are not related to the individual; and the completion of 18 semester credit hours from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Education, with one course as:

    • Introduction to Early Childhood Professions or

    • Early Childhood Guidance Strategies for Children or has been issued a Colorado Pyramid Model Training certificate of completion

  • Twenty-one months (3,185 hours) of verified experience in the care and supervision of four or more children less than eight years of age who are not related to the individual. Satisfactory experience includes being a licensee of a Colorado Family Child Care Home, a Teacher’s Aide or Teacher in a childcare center, preschool, or elementary school. In addition, the individual must either:

    • Possess a current Early Childhood Professional Credential Level I or higher in Version 3.0 as determined by the Department

  • Complete two- three semester credit hour courses from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Education, with one course as:

    • Introduction to Early Childhood Professions or has been issued the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential; or

    • Early Childhood Guidance Strategies for Children or has been issued a Colorado Pyramid Model Training certificate of completion

 
Experience:  

• Minimum experience hours are required based upon the educational qualifications listed above as determined by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood

 
Preferred Qualifications: 

• At least two years of experience working directly with children in a licensed childhood development program.

 
Knowledge:

• Child development and administration of appropriate practices

• Preschool curriculum and implementation

• Effective classroom management and positive guidance techniques

• Computer operation with related word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, virtual meeting and registration software applications

• Colorado Early Learning and Development Guidelines

• Governing rules and regulations (Office of Early Childhood, local health department, Colorado Shines, etc)

 
Skills:  

• Strong organization, management, and communication skills 

• Strong customer service skills

• Strong crisis management & communication skills

• Strong interpersonal skills for all age groups

• Strong planning skills

• Proficient windows-based computer skills

 
Abilities:  

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with team members, city of Aurora employees, all levels of management including executive staff, citizens, and elected officials

• Handle sensitive and/or stressful situations with tact and diplomacy

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing 

• Effectively manage classroom environments

• Demonstrate positive guidance techniques in a preschool environment

• Creatively solve problems, negotiate and handle stressful situations in a positive manner

• Ensure accuracy in information and correcting errors as needed

• Complete tasks and respond to inquiries in a timely manner

 
Licenses and Certifications Required:  

• Must meet appropriate Early Childhood Teacher requirements/qualifications and provide all documentation as required by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood upon hire which includes:

  CBI & FBI Criminal Background checks

  Child Abuse and Neglect (TRAILS) check

  Current Colorado Early Childhood Teacher qualification letter or current Early Childhood Professional Credential Level II or higher (3.0 version)

  Multi-hazard Planning for Childcare Disaster Preparedness Training through FEMA

  Pre-Service Building and Physical Premises Safety training (within 30 days)

  Introduction to the Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education Programs (within 90 days)

  Recognizing the Impact of Bias on Early Childhood Professionals (within 90 days)

• Maintain all necessary requirements/trainings which include:

  Current First Aid/CPR/AED certificate or 1 hr First Aid certification through PDIS (every 2 years)

  OSHA approved Standard Precautions (Annually)

  Recognition and Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect (Annually)

  Prevention of Shaken Baby/Abusive Head Trauma Training (every 2 years)

  Complete fifteen (15) hours training annually as specified by the Office of Early Childhood

  Maintain PDIS profile and current Credential Level

  Any additional training as assigned by Preschool Supervisor

Physical Demands:

• Moderate physical work; may require ability to lift up to 50 pounds with our without assistance; some lifting and carrying objects.

• Regular standing and walking

• May require bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, and climbing

• Hand/eye coordination for operation of computer

• Vision to facilitate preschool curriculum, read books, reports and other written material

• Frequent speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with students, families, COA employees and citizens. 

Work Environment:

• Works primarily in clean, comfortable environment; requires work both indoors and outdoors with exposure to dust, sun, odors and noise.

Equipment Used:

• Uses standard office equipment including personal computer and common office software such as email, internet, Word, Excel, WebEx, PowerPoint and menu driven databases as a part of the automated systems

• This position may require the incumbent to use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.

• May require operation of own motor vehicle.

Essential Personnel:

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel