Lead Teacher, Infant

Duties

Job Summary:

This position is in the Child Care Center, Immediate Office, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), U.S. House of Representatives (House). The purpose of the House Child Care Center (HCCC) is to provide full-day, year-round quality childcare for children of the Members of the House of Representatives, their staff, and House support personnel. This position serves as the Lead Teacher.

Key responsibilities include coordinating and overseeing all aspects of the day-to-day delivery of child care services in assigned classrooms; providing active supervision of assigned children at all times; ensuring that children's physical, cognitive, and emotional needs are met; training and mentoring staff; overseeing developmentally appropriate, child-centered curriculum and assessment; and establishing positive relationships with children and their parents.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities:

• Maintains responsibility for the day-to-day delivery of childcare services in assigned classroom; ensures quality and continuity of care at all times. Provides and coordinates care for children including changing diapers/toileting, feeding, and comforting; ensures all children's physical, cognitive, and emotional needs are met.
• Serves as a leader in the classroom, House Child Care Center, and CAO team. Coordinates and oversees all aspects of classroom operation. Trains, coaches, and mentors staff; provides tools and resources.
• Maintains child to staff ratios; provides active supervision of children at all times.
• Utilizes universal precautions and brings to Directors' attention any relevant information or issues concerning or related to staff, children, and/or families.
• Maintains awareness of all special health and dietary needs. Prioritizes health and safety; monitors and responds appropriately to illness, injury, and other emergency situations. Follows cleaning and sanitation guidelines.
• Leads efforts to promote awareness of healthy practices.
• Coordinates and oversees developmentally appropriate, child-centered curriculum and assessment planning, implementation, and documentation. Prepares for and holds Parent-Teacher Conferences, orientation meetings, and other parent meetings as needed.
• Supports children and families through transitions including enrollment and withdrawal, between classrooms, to and from home each day, and between activities throughout the day.
• Develops familiarity and maintains compliance with all applicable legal requirements including House, Committee, CAO, and House Child Care Center rules, practices, policies, and procedures.
• Treats all children, families, and staff with dignity and respect, allowing for individual differences. Establishes positive relationships with each child, family member, and coworker.
• Communicates effectively and professionally both orally and in writing; maintains confidentiality.
• Remains calm in challenging situations.
• Shows initiative towards the improvement of provided services by sharing ideas and participating in meetings.
• Models high quality work; demonstrates and promotes ongoing reflection and growth.
• Holds regular classroom team meetings and manages work-time schedules of team.
• Conducts daily child health and safety checks.
• Works with junior personnel to foster a positive learning environment for assigned classroom(s).
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of early childhood development and learning principles and best practices; actively develops junior teaching staff.
• Maintains accurate records and logs in a timely and organized fashion and ensures that data confidentiality is maintained.
• Creates and updates classroom handbooks, child portfolios, and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Classroom Portfolio.
• Uses materials and resources effectively; informs administration of unusual problems and unanticipated constraints of resource requirements in a timely manner. Monitors usage and inventory levels of all supplies and materials; advises administrators of related needs and issues.
• Utilizes developmentally and situationally appropriate behavior management techniques.
• Seeks and attends ongoing professional development and demonstrates an attitude of continual growth.
• Participates in special limited term and long-term projects and initiatives; participates in after action reviews and provides feedback as appropriate.
• Appropriately addresses employee conflicts and disciplinary actions.
• Returns relevant items to designated storage areas and maintains organization throughout the classroom and House Child Care Center.
• Performs other official duties and special projects as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• USAJobs Conditions of Employment

Qualifications

Qualifications:

Experience and/or Education Requirements:

• Associates degree in Early Childhood Education or similar field required, bachelors degree preferred.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience working with young children and their families in an early childhood setting.

Knowledge, Skill, and Ability (KSA) and Competency Requirements:

• Knowledge of child development and learning environments; ability to understand the developmental progress and identify the needs of all applicable children.
• Ability to understand and apply child care educational research, standards, and/or best practices.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply principles and best practices related to classroom control, behavior management, behavioral observation, teaching practices, and instructional methodologies.
• Skill in curriculum development and lesson planning.
• Knowledge of and ability to use relevant learning management platforms and tools.
• Knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations related to child care.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with children and their families.
• Ability to maintain composure at all times.
• Skill in facilitation, documentation, and record management.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with tact and ensure data protection and confidentiality.
• Knowledge of allergies and dietary restrictions
• Knowledge of sanitation guidelines and health and safety laws, regulations, policies, and standards.
• Ability to analyze problems and recommend appropriate solutions/changes.
• Ability to communicate difficult or unpopular guidance or direction, while maintaining a positive relationship with management and staff.
• Knowledge of and ability to use various automated systems, such as Microsoft Office tools, computers, mobile devices, phone systems, etc.
• All employees within CAO are expected to demonstrate the following general competencies: Accountability, Adaptability, Collaboration, Communication, Customer Orientation, Knowledge of Relevant Policies, Procedures, and Processes, Priority Management, and Problem Resolution.
• All employees in leadership positions within CAO are expected to demonstrate the following leadership competencies: Coalition Building, Decision-Making, Leading People, Results Orientation, and Strategic Planning.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

This position is in a school setting that is adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated. Normal safety precautions apply. The work involves light physical activity and may include moderate physical activity, such as moving furniture and equipment, lifting, and moving children, pushing cribs/carts/strollers, and participating in planned physical exercises with children (e.g., jumping, dancing, running). The incumbent must be able to meet minimum physical requirements and work environment demands.

Security Requirements:

• Must successfully complete a criminal history records check.
• Employee may be subject to drug testing in accordance with the CAO Drug Free Workplace Plan.
• Must successfully complete a Public Trust investigation with a Child Registry check.
• Continued employment is contingent upon satisfactorily completing a criminal history records check (or other applicable security clearance) and a pre-employment drug-test (pre-identified position only).