Early Childhood Education Teacher Mentor

Definition: Under general supervision from the ECE Leader and/or Assistant Program Manager, the Teacher works as a team player in facilitating the learning process and supervision of children (two weeks – 5 years old) in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Early Childhood Program.  Supports and participates in the training of children, parents, staff, and volunteers, as needed.  

Primary Job Functions: Primary functions may vary among positions, but may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and abilities among other characteristics.  This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of tasks performed by all positions in this classification.

• Assume responsibility for classroom, as needed to release classroom staff for meetings and Professional Development opportunities. 
• When releasing teacher, supervises and coordinates with the Assistant Teacher(s) and Teacher Aide(s) in all phases of the ECE Center classroom to ensure a well-managed purposeful program responsive to all participants needs.  Maintains scheduled center activities, follows lesson plans, and documents accordingly.
• Provides modeling and mentoring to the education staff which supports their professional skill development to help them gain knowledge needed to provide high quality services.
• Implements federal, state, and local health and safety policies and procedures.  Follows guidelines set in the SRPMIC and ECE Policies and Procedures Manual.  Implements the performance standards as reflected in the ECE Program Plan.
• Supports Education staff by retrieving and reviewing data to inform teaching practices.
• Uses Active Supervision at all times to ensure the safety of children in the program.
• Supports the maintenance of the classroom by following the ECE Policy for classrooms, which includes, but is not limited to, putting materials away each day and cleaning tables before and after meals and activities.  Supports the physical environment to make it safe, healthy, interesting, and developmentally appropriate.  
• Mentor new education staff throughout the Onboarding process.
• Work collaboratively with ECEC administrative team to ensure continuous improvement of educational services.
• Reports suspected abuse/neglect/maltreatment and other social service related incidents to appropriate ECE staff.  Reports any repairs and maintenance needs concerning the center or classroom facility and playground to the ECE Leader. 
• Pursues basic Pima or Maricopa language skills diligently and continues to expand from words and numbers to practical phrases. 
• Attends and participates in all scheduled staff meetings and ongoing training designed for ECE Staff, as well as, supplemental education training.  
• Supports the administration of required screenings and referrals for special services to the appropriate ECE staff.
• Works cooperatively with ECE staff members that are identified as being involved with disabilities services in the development of goals for children with disabilities, the provision of direct services, and any required documentation. 
• Supports the development and implementation of a developmentally appropriate curriculum for children based on the individual interests, needs, and abilities of the children in the classroom and the group as a whole.  
• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Knowledge, Abilities, Skills, and Other Characteristics

A willingness to learn and understand: 

• The History, culture, traditions, and customs of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community

Knowledge of: 

• Child growth and development as well as positive discipline techniques
• High quality early childhood practices

Skilled in:

• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with the public school systems, community agencies and departments, vendors, parents, volunteers, SRPMIC staff, and the general public.
• Mentoring others and working effectively on a team
• Using a computer and MS Office Suite application software 

Ability to:

• Interact comfortably and empathetically with people from diverse backgrounds
• Be adaptable, flexible, resourceful, energetic, creative, dependable, and punctual
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Follow oral and written instructions, policies and procedures, rules, regulations and guidelines
• Lift up to fifty (50) pounds such as, but not limited to: a child, materials and equipment, from one location to another
• Operate a variety of standard office equipment, including but not limited to:  a photocopier, fax machine,  calculator, and computer to fulfill job requirements
• Operate a variety of standard media equipment, including but not limited to:  TV, VCR, camcorder, two-way radio, tape recorder, CD/cassette player, record player, and overhead projector to fulfill job requirements
• Operate a variety of standard household equipment, including but not limited to: washer; dryer; and vacuum to fulfill job requirements
• Handle food products, various supplies, and cleaning products, including but not limited to: soap and bleach

Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree (or higher) from accredited college or university in Early Childhood Education, or a Bachelor’s degree in any field and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education including a minimum of 24 credit hours in Early Childhood or Child Development from an accredited college or university and a minimum of three (3) years of experience working with children ages two weeks to five years. 

Preference: In addition to the above requirement, preference will be given to applicants with mentoring experience in an Early Childhood setting. 

Equivalency: Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience that would allow the candidate to satisfactorily perform the duties of this position, will be considered.

Underfill Eligibility: An enrolled Community Member whom closely qualifies for the minimum qualifications for a position may be considered for employment under SRPMIC Policy 2-19, Underfill.Due to the confidential and sensitive nature of this position, successful completion of an extensive background investigation is required.  Incumbent is required to pass a basic physical examination and provide proof of immunizations at time of hire. Follow-up physical examinations and current immunizations are required and must be completed to maintain good employment status. Maintaining booster shots on immunizations and taking a TB skin test or x-ray annually is also required.  Documentation of the above medical actions is absolutely essential for the file and for the health of the children in the Early Childhood Education Program.  Incumbent must also obtain First Aid and CPR certification within the first three (3) months of employment from the date of hire and maintain certification subsequently.

-At the time of hire, the incumbent must pass a basic physical examination and produce proof of a negative TB clearance and current immunizations, as well as fingerprint clearance.  

Driving Requirement: This job description does not require the incumbent to drive; however, any employee who chooses or is asked to drive an SRPMIC vehicle for work related community business must receive authorization to do so.  For clarification, work related community business includes driving to and from SRPMIC government sites and buildings.

Terms of Employment:  This position is treated as a full-time exempt position scheduled for 40 hours per week.  

Must be able to pass a Pre-Employment Drug Test and extensive Fingerprint and Background Check. Employee is Subject to Random Drug Testing and completion of a Background Check every five (5) years.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills that may be required.

Prior to hire as an employee, applicants will be subject to drug and alcohol testing. Will be required to pass a pre-employment background/fingerprint check. 

"SRPMIC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer" Preference will be given to a qualified: Community Member Veteran, Community Member, Spouse of Community Member, qualified Native American, and then other qualified candidate.

In order to obtain preference, the following is required: 1) Qualified Community Member Veteran (DD-214) will be required at the time of application submission 2) Qualified Community Member (must provide Tribal I.D at time of application submission),3) Spouse of a Community Member (Marriage License/certificate and spouse Tribal ID or CIB is required at time of application submission), and 4) Native American (Tribal ID or CIB required at time of application submission).

Documents may be submitted by one of the following methods: 
1)attach to application
2)email to [email protected]
3)fax (480) 362-5860
4)mail or hand deliver to Human Resources.

Documentation must be received by position closing date. 
The IHS/BIA Form-4432 is not accepted. 
Your Tribal ID/CIB must be submitted to HR-Recruitment-Two Waters.