Early Head Start Teacher I (Day Care Center Teacher I)

This job opportunity is being re-announced. Applicants who wish to revise their original application are encouraged to reapply with a revised application. Otherwise, all applicants who previously applied do not need to reapply to be considered

This a grant funded position. The salary offer will not exceed the mid-point of the advertised salary range.

Join Us in Growing Stronger Communities
At the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, we believe every child, family, and community deserves the chance to thrive. Our mission is rooted in partnership—working together to create equitable opportunities and meaningful outcomes for people of all ages and abilities. If you’re passionate about early childhood education and want to make a lasting impact, we’d love to have you on our team.

About the Role
We’re looking for a dedicated Teacher I to join our Early Head Start program at the Gum Springs Glen Center in Alexandria, VA. Under the guidance of the Day Care Center Teacher II and the Early Childhood Education Administrator, you will play a vital role in the daily life of our classroom, providing nurturing, developmentally appropriate care for children ages 6 weeks to 3 years.

In this role, you will help create a warm, play-based learning environment tailored to meet each child’s unique individual needs. You will be a key member of a collaborative team dedicated to excellence in early childhood education.

What You’ll Do

• Deliver developmentally appropriate practices and curriculum in a high-quality, play-based setting.
• Create an engaging and responsive environment that supports the specific needs of infants and toddlers.
• Complete and report on developmental screenings and assessments through family conferences, home visits, and staff meetings.
• Adhere to all policies regulated by Virginia State Licensing and Federal Head Start Standards to prevent health hazards and ensure child safety.
• Assist in the preparation of essential documentation for local, state, and federal performance standards.
• Work closely with county staff, citizens, and members of the wider childcare community to support our mission.

Why This Role Matters
As a Teacher I, you are on the front lines of shaping the earliest experiences of young children. Your dedication helps build the foundation for lifelong learning and well-being. Your work directly supports NCS’s vision of connected communities where all individuals and families feel empowered to flourish.Plans, coordinates and presents a program of appropriate experiences for older school-age children or children with special needs;
Develops systems to safeguard the health and safety of the children;
Plans and prepares nutritious daily snacks;
Develops room arrangements to facilitate a variety of experiences to meet the needs and interests of the children;
Plans activities to involve parents in the center's program;
Participates in orientation, staff development sessions and teacher meetings;
Writes newsletter articles and prepares a calendar of activities involving a particular group of children;
Determines supply and equipment needs for their program.
Knowledge of individual behavior and the growth and development of children and youth, and the impact of group relationships;
Knowledge of how cultural patterns, socioeconomic differences and/or physically and mentally handicapping conditions affect the behavior of children;
Knowledge of health, safety and first aid methods, and the ability to assume administrative responsibility for assigned areas of a health and safety program;
Knowledge of the factors which cause problems in children;
Ability to establish warm and supportive relationships with children, on a group and individual basis.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: 
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”)
Completion of two years of study and training at an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in early childhood or elementary education, nursing, recreation, or a related field plus one year of related work experience.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED: 

• AED certification (Required within 60 days)
• CPR/First Aid certification (Required within 60 days)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and a Child Protective Services Registry check to the satisfaction of the employer. A tuberculosis (TB) screening upon hire.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Infant-Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or degree in the field of Early Childhood or any discipline that is directly related to the instruction of children. 
• Knowledge of Head Start Standards and Creative Curriculum/TS Gold. 
• Three (3) or more years of experience in a classroom setting.
• Experience working with a diverse multicultural population.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Position is active in nature. Must be able to monitor and observe the activities of program participants. Regularly moves about or positions self to supervise and interact with participants at their level. Occasionally lifts, transports, positions, push/pulls or moves up to 50 pounds. Must be sufficiently mobile and possess a range of motion to perform repetitive standing, walking, balancing, stooping, bending, crouching, crawling, sitting on the floor, reaching, squatting, kneeling, and twisting. Ability to react quickly to the physical actions of program participant. Requires the ability to apply CPR and First Aid skills as needed and respond to emergency situations. Administrative and supervisory activities will require ability to operate keyboard-driven equipment. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing. Sufficiently mobile to attend meetings at various locations and make presentations to county staff and community. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce. 
  
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. [email protected] EEO/AA/TTY.

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