Master Early Childhood Educator

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following duties and responsibilities are typical of those performed in this classification.

• Performs and leads specialized early childhood education and support work by providing for the care and education of young children (aged 6-months through preschool) and assisting with the training of students in a child development facility/laboratory setting.

• Provides guidance to child development staff, student workers, and/or other staff; leads staff activities and facility operations during an assigned shift/schedule and ensures program compliance with applicable laws, regulations, standards, and/or requirements; monitors schedules to ensure appropriate classroom coverage; provides advice and direction to staff with regard to difficult child behavior or parent communication issues; conducts student and parent orientations and prepares information materials.

• Coordinates and assesses children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development using various established assessment tools; uses assessment results to guide curriculum planning and identify health or developmental factors related to a child's learning or development.

• Coordinates and participates in curriculum planning, assessment, and documentation; delivers curriculum covering all areas of child development including social, emotional, cognitive, physical, literacy, and language; coordinates the creation of portfolios for children to document each child’s growth and development, including anecdotal notes, photos, videos, and work samples.

• Coordinates and performs required daily care routines for children (e.g., diapering, grooming, feeding, and toileting).

• Coordinates and serves simple nutritional meals and designated snacks to children; monitors children’s consumption of meals, ensuring their participation in setting and cleaning up for each meal; documents meal counts in accordance with federal food and nutrition guidelines.

• Coordinates and participates in the preparation and provision of safe, effective, and supportive environments for learning by setting up and supervising children’s interest centers and exhibits of children’s work in accordance with applicable process quality standards assessment tools.

• Interacts with children in a developmentally appropriate manner, acknowledging children’s emotions and redirecting challenging behaviors in accordance with applicable assessment tools to promote a positive climate in the classroom.

• Assists with the training of students assigned to the child development facility/laboratory by applying appropriate educator behavior and teaching strategies and by reviewing and evaluating student-prepared lesson plans based on faculty rubrics; monitors and records student’s hours.

• Ensures departmental areas are maintained in a safe, clean, and orderly condition including sanitizing and cleaning furniture, facilities, play equipment, etc. in classrooms, outdoor play areas, workrooms, and kitchens with safe and proper cleaning solutions in accordance with applicable standards and regulations.

• Maintains required documentation and records including those related to home visits, attendance, and curriculum.

• May provide work direction to lower-level employees, temporary employees, student workers, and/or volunteers.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The education, training, and experience qualifications are considered likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities to perform the above essential duties.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood education, child development, or a related field, including a minimum of:

• 24 semester (or equivalent quarter) units in early childhood education or child development,

• Six (6) units in administration and supervision of child development programs,

• Two (2) units in adult supervision, and

• Six (6) units in infant /toddler development.

Two (2) years of experience providing for the care and education of young children (aged 6-months through preschool).

Licenses/Certifications/Other Requirements:

• Valid Child Development Site Supervisor Certificate issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

• Current certificate in pediatric first aid and pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) issued by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association, or by a training program that has been approved by the California Emergency Medical Services Authority.

• Upon employment, must have received required immunizations as outlined in Health and Safety Code Section1596.7995.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, theories, and practices of age-appropriate child development.

• Various types of curricula for early childhood education.

• Child development learning, development, and behavioral assessment tools.

• Developmentally appropriate methods for interacting with young children.

• Principles and practices of classroom leadership as they apply to early childhood education.

• Team-teaching methods for working with staff members, students, and families.

• Daily care activities appropriate for young children.

• Safe and proper methods to sanitize toys, furniture, facilities, and play equipment.

• Electronic and physical documentation and recordkeeping techniques.

• Laws, regulations, standards, and/or requirements applicable to areas of assignment.

• Standard office practices or procedures.

• Modern office equipment and standard office software.

• Methods of filing information using alpha, numeric, and alphanumeric systems.

• Correct use of the English language, including spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

• Principles and practices of customer service.

Ability to:

• Lead and coordinate the day-to-day activities at a child development center.

• Interact and provide daily care for young children in a developmentally appropriate manner.

• Interpret and apply child development and emergent curriculum theories and practices.

• Interpret and utilize child development program assessment tools and results to assess learning environments and prepare curriculum conducive to learning.

• Plan, organize, and present parent workshops, meetings, and social gatherings.

• Serve basic meals for young children.

• Observe and document children’s growth and development.

• Model positive behaviors for young children.

• Redirect challenging behaviors from children.

• Evaluate student work pertaining to child development.

• Set up and maintain clean and safe program facilities.

• Sanitize toys, furniture, facilities, and play equipment in a safe and proper manner.

• Research, apply, and explain the laws, regulations, policies and/or procedures applicable to areas of assignment.

• Standard office software and modern office equipment.

• Operate a variety of office equipment including computers and printers/copiers.

• Maintain physical and electronic files and records.

• Prioritize work and complete assignments accurately and within established deadlines.

• Provide and obtain detailed information to/from others.

• Provide customer service with a high level of sensitivity, tact and patience.

• Exercise reasonable judgment in performing job duties.

• Work and perform duties independently.

• Perform and prioritize multiple tasks.

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with all employees and others encountered in the course of work.

• Demonstrate a sensitivity to, and understanding of, the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL STANDARDS:

The following physical and mental standards are identified as necessary to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. However, reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

• Mobility: frequent standing for long periods; frequent kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling, and walking; frequent reaching above and below desk level.

• Dexterity: frequent fine manipulation sufficient to operate a computer keyboard; frequent grasping to write and take notes, and to handle small objects and individual papers.

• Lifting/Carrying: frequent lifting/carrying of papers, files, equipment, and material weighing up to 25 pounds and children weighing up to 40 pounds; occasional lifting up to 50 pounds.

• Visual Requirements: frequent use of vision sufficient to read files, documents, and computer screens and do close-up and distance work.

• Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and speaking in person and on the telephone; frequent presentations to groups.

• Emotional/Psychological Factors: frequent contact with others, including extensive public contact and contact with children; occasional exposure to grief or traumatic events; frequent deadlines and time-limited assignments.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

• Work is primarily performed in indoor and outdoor classroom environments where the noise level may be loud.

• Work includes exposure to variable weather conditions, including sun, wind, rain, and a range of temperatures outdoors.

• Work may include the risk of exposure to childhood communicable diseases.