The Early Head Start Teacher is responsible for planning and implementing comprehensive educational programs for infants and toddlers in alignment with Early Head Start policies, standards, and frameworks. This includes developing lesson plans, tracking child progress, and fostering school readiness. The teacher ensures a safe, nurturing classroom environment and builds strong, positive relationships with children, families, and staff. They support holistic child development while promoting family and community engagement.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Daily Reports, Lesson Plans, Individualizations, screenings, and assessments should be completed as assigned and turned in to the Education Specialist monthly.
• Observations and portfolios should be kept until the child transitions to the next step (classroom or program).
• Safeguard all physical and electronic Personally identifiable information (PII) records (e.g., names, contact information, medical history, and assessment data) to prevent unauthorized access.
• Ensure all communications containing PII, whether verbal or written, occur in secure and private settings.
• Use coded identifiers or anonymized data (e.g., initials) for necessary postings such as lesson plan individualizations. 
• Store any lists, charts, or materials containing PII in secure locations accessible only to authorized staff.
• Work alongside the assigned classroom teacher.
• Assist in developing and implementing curriculum, lesson plans, and individualized learning based on program goals and School Readiness objectives.
• Conduct child screenings and assessments per Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) and program policies.
• Build trust with children, families, and co-workers.
• Promote the role of parents as primary educators and support parent-child attachment.
• Foster open, positive relationships with families, encouraging participation in program activities.
• Provide developmentally appropriate experiences encouraging curiosity, problem-solving, creativity, and a sense of belonging.
• Support children in developing self-help skills, toileting habits, and sound nutritional practices by modeling desired behaviors.
• Ensure constant supervision and safety of children, never leaving them unattended.
• Respond to children in distress and handle emergencies per policies and procedures.
• Maintain cleanliness of self, children, and the indoor/outdoor classroom environment.
• Treat children and families with respect, confidentiality, and dignity.
• Partner with Part C agencies to implement Individual Family Services Plans (IFSP) for children with disabilities.
• Mandated Reporting: Report signs of illness, injury, or abuse as per policies and take action in emergencies.
• Maintain detailed, factual documentation of observations or incidents related to potential abuse or neglect while respecting confidentiality.
• Adhere to the agency's Code of Ethics, policies, and confidentiality standards.
• Ensure corporal punishment is never used in any capacity.
• Attend all required mandated staff meetings, training, and conferences, including after-hours.
• Adapt duties during emergencies, such as a pandemic, to ensure safety and compliance.
• Employees with CPR and First Aid training should use those skills as necessary to assist children and families.
• In the event of a disaster, Early Head Start employees are expected to assist according to the tribe's Emergency Operations Plan or their designated level of training.
• Ensure that children are safely accounted for and their immediate health and safety needs are met during the disaster response (e.g., earthquake, fires, etc.).

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Teachers supervise classroom aides, TANF workers, adult/youth workers, and volunteers.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Child Development Associate (CDA) credential with an Infant/Toddler endorsement and 1-year experience working with infant/toddler-aged children.
• First Aid and CPR: Certification in infant, toddler, youth, and adult First Aid/CPR.
• Food Handlers Certification: Proof of certification to safely handle and prepare food, ensuring health and safety standards compliance.
• Mandated Reporter Certification: Certification in recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect as per state, federal, tribal, and county laws, per Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS).

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Associate’s (AS) degree or higher in Early Childhood Education (ECE), with coursework specific to infant and toddler development.
• Alternatively, a related field with at least 24 ECE units, including an Infant/Toddler development course.
• At least 1 year of experience working with infant/toddler-aged children.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma or Equivalent.
• A Child Development Associate (CDA) credential with an Infant/Toddler endorsement. 
• 1-year experience working with infant/toddler-aged children.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

1. Regular employees are subject to an annual performance evaluation, following a 90-day evaluation from hire date.
2. Position is considered safety sensitive and employee is subject to the Tribal Alcohol & Drug Policy including pre­employment, random, post-accident (the employee will be automatically tested), reasonable cause and re-entry alcohol & drug testing.
3. Employee is subject to Hoopa Valley Tribe's Title 30-A, Employment Background Check Policy. 
4. Must possess a valid California Driver's License and be insurable under the Tribes Motor Vehicle Policy during term of employment.
5. Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect and analyze data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. 
6. Work Environment: Characteristics of the work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties of this job. While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate.
7. Language Skills: Basic English. Hoopa language is preferred but not mandatory at the beginning of employment.  Willing to take Hoopa language classes and implement that language into the program. 
8. Mathematical Skills: Must have the ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to planning and practical situations. Must have the ability to compile and analyze data and to perform quantitative and qualitative research analysis essential to program reporting.
9. Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and stoop, kneel, or crouch. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10-25 pounds.
10. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
11. Preference in hiring will be given to qualified Indian Applicants pursuant to Title 13; Hoopa Tribe’s TERO Ordinance apply.

HVT Application Requirements: To be considered for a HVT position, applicants must submit the following verification: 1) A complete HVT Employment Application (a resume is optional but alone does not meet this requirement). 2) Official or unofficial transcripts from an accredited college or university verifying required education, if applicable. 3) Tribal verification must be attached if requesting Indian Preference. Incomplete applications will not be considered. For more information, job descriptions, or applications, please contact HVT Human Resource Department at (530) 625-9200 or by email at ------------ or ------------. The Hoopa Valley Tribe Drug & Alcohol Policy and TERO Ordinance apply to all employment hires.

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DEADLINE TO APPLY: MARCH 23,2026