Head start teacher job description

This post includes 3 parts: duties list, job qualification and job description writing tips for Head start teacher in details. A complete job description concludes Head start teacher key duties/responsibilities, Head start teacher job qualifications (knowledge, education, skills, abilities, experience…KSA model) and other ones such as daily tasks, key activities, key/core competencies, job functions/purpose…

I. List of Head start teacher duties:

1. Designs and maintains a physical and programmatic environment that appropriately supports and nurtures the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of all children in an inclusive classroom.
2. Establishes educational and social goals based on the composition of the children enrolled and the community setting in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards, Colorado State Licensing and Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP), as appropriate
3. Develops and implements written plans for the daily activities that stimulate learning in all developmental areas (physical, social, emotional, and cognitive) for a group of children which may involve some children identified with disabilities.
4. Complies with Colorado State Licensing requirements.
5. Assists Center Supervisor in day-to-day supervision of staff in own classroom through delegating, training and providing insight and guidance.
6. Organizes classroom materials and equipment, conducts ongoing physical inventory, and replenishes to ensure adequately stocked.
7. Develops positive relationships with parents and families of each child
8. Coordinates and informs parents of scheduled field trips, extra curricular activities, and other scheduled activities

II. List of Head start teacher qualifications

1. Must comply with all Colorado State Licensing requirements
2. Able to effectively manage a classroom of children
3. Effective interpersonal communication skills with children, parents and co-workers
4. Ability to remember schedules, programs, policies, and other details.
5. Ability to remain calm and calm others in an emergency and/or confrontational situation.
6. Knowledge of the service population‚s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and the appropriate techniques and practices for the client population.
7. Ability to interact effectively as a team member and independently with Agency staff and with a diverse client base.
8. Associate's degree (AA) or equivalent from accredited two-year college or technical school.

III. Tips to write job description

1. Too-long job description:

Looking at a too-long job description can frighten the candidates off and drive the away. A job description, no matter how important the job is, should not be included in more than 3 pages. If one focuses on too many things at a time, he shall definitely lose focus on the main items and get overwhelmed by the remaining; So, keep it concisely.

2. Too-short job description:

While too-long can be a problem, too-short is more a problem. It will ruin the meaning of the job description. A too-short one means it lacks necessary details and therefore, the candidate will not be able to understand while reading it.

3. Listing unnecessary functions or job duties:

Just classifying these into the “others” category will save you a lot of effort and space. On the other hand, the job description will become more dilute and easy to be neglected.

4. Key functions

Not listing key functions as required for the job can be a fatal mistake to a job description.

5. Grammar and spelling

Poor grammar and having spelling errors can ruin the job description, too. Never think that as you are the employer, you may have the right to make grammar or spelling errors while requires other not to. A job description with such errors is easily to be mistaken as a fake or ghost ads; as a result, the candidate will turn away from it.

6. Not specific enough:

Be specific and concise; if you don’t address the specific, then what the job description is for. It is for the candidate to understand just exactly what he needs to do or needs to have. Lacking details can confuse the candidates very well.

7. Not having the job description reviewed by others:

This is also a common mistake. One may be subject to bias, but more than one, especially with the help of those external advisor, the job description can be more perfect.

8. Using buzzwords or abbreviations:

In fact, it is not necessary at all to use such in a job description.

9. Using slang or legal words:

Just use common wording to communicate with others and don’t do anything extraordinarily.

10. Not updating the job description:

The same job may require different duties and responsibilities in different times, so, you cannot use the same job description for 2 different times.