Early Head Start Teacher

KAWERAK POSITION DESCRIPTION
Nome, AK
Recruitment Length: open until filled 

JOB TITLE: Early Head Start Teacher
DIVISION: Education, Employment, and Supportive Services
DEPARTMENT: Head Start
LOCATION: Onsite
POSITION STATUS: Regular, Part-Time – Hours vary by Worksite
EXEMPT STATUS: Non-exempt
PAY SCALE GRADE: 8T: HS Diploma/E, 10: CDA, 11: AA, 13: BA ($30.91-$48.17)
REPORTS TO: Program Specialist
AKBCU: Yes ICPA: Yes

The Early Head Start Teacher provides a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning
environment for infants and toddlers from twelve weeks to three years of age. This position
promotes children’s healthy development, social-emotional well-being, and school readiness through
responsive caregiving, developmentally appropriate curriculum, and positive relationships with
children and families.

The Early Head Start Teacher works collaboratively with children, families, and staff to ensure
high-quality early childhood services and compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards,
child care licensing requirements, and program policies.

Early Head Start Teachers located in Nome provide Early Head Start–Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP)
services. Early Head Start Teachers located in village communities provide Early Head Start
services exclusively.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Work under the day-to-day guidance of the EHS Lead Teacher to provide age-appropriate early care
and education for infants and toddlers.
• Create and maintain a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for
infants and toddlers.
• Implement curriculum and daily routines that support children’s cognitive, language, physical,
social-emotional, and behavioral development.
• Develop positive, responsive relationships with children through individualized
caregiving.
• Conduct ongoing student observations and assist with developmental screenings and
assessments.
• Assist with classroom preparation, lesson planning, organization, inventory, and maintenance of
educational materials and equipment.
• Maintain active supervision, conduct daily health and safety checks, report accidents, injuries,
suspected abuse or neglect, and safety concerns in accordance with program requirements and
mandatory reporting laws.
• Support meal service and promote healthy eating routines in accordance with program
requirements.
• Support feeding, diapering, toileting, napping, and daily care routines.
• Participate in home visits, parent conferences, family engagement activities, and program
events.
• Maintain accurate classroom records, observations, assessments, attendance, and other required
documentation within established timelines using program-approved systems.
• Collaborate with co-workers, specialists, and families.
• Participate in staff meetings, coaching, case conferences, required training, and professional
development while maintaining required certifications.
• Maintain confidentiality of children, families, and program information.
• Perform other related duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or equivalency, or the ability to
obtain the required credential within one (1) year of hire. Applicants without the required CDA or
equivalency may be considered for a training position.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience working with infants, toddlers, or young children.
• Experience working in an Early Head Start, Head Start program or a licensed child care
program.
• Experience working with Alaska Native and American Indian children and families.
• Former or current Head Start parent.
• Associate or Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related
field with coursework equivalent to a major in Early Childhood Education.
• Preference may be given to qualified applicants residing in the community served by the
program.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and contribute to a positive work
environment.
• Ability to interact respectfully and effectively with families, coworkers, and community members
from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to establish positive, nurturing, and responsive relationships with infants, toddlers,
and young children.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Ability to observe children’s behavior and development and follow program procedures for
documentation and reporting.
• Ability to learn and implement developmentally appropriate practices, curriculum requirements,
and child assessment processes.
• Ability to follow health, safety, sanitation, and active supervision requirements.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple responsibilities in a classroom environment.
• Ability to participate in ongoing training and professional development and apply new knowledge
and skills in the workplace.
• Knowledge of Alaska Native cultures, traditions, and communities, or willingness to learn and
incorporate culturally responsive practices into classroom activities.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
1. Regular attendance and punctuality are essential functions of this position.
2. Must successfully complete and maintain all required pre-employment and periodic health
screenings, including a physical examination upon hire and every five (5) years thereafter.
3. Must complete and maintain all training, certifications, health screenings, and clearances
required by Head Start Program Performance Standards, child care licensing requirements, and
Kawerak policies within established timelines.
4. Must possess current First Aid and Infant/Child (Pediatric) CPR certification or obtain
certification within six (6) months of hire.
5. Must possess a current Alaska Food Worker’s Card or obtain one within two (2) weeks of hire.
6. This position is designated as a covered position and is subject to all applicable federal and
state background check requirements, including fingerprint-based criminal history checks, registry
reviews, and compliance with the Alaska Background Check Program, the Indian Child Protection and
Family Violence Prevention Act, Head Start Program Performance Standards, and other applicable laws
and regulations. Employment and continued employment are contingent upon obtaining and maintaining
all required clearances.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described below are representative of those required to perform the essential
functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals
with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Frequently lift and carry children weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Frequently stand, walk, sit on the floor, and transition between floor-level and standing
positions while interacting with children.
• Frequently bend, stoop, kneel, squat, crawl, reach, push, and pull.
• Maintain active visual and auditory supervision and respond promptly to children’s verbal and
nonverbal cues, needs, and emergencies.
• Assist children with feeding, diapering, toileting, dressing, positioning, and other daily care
routines.
• Assist with the safe movement or evacuation of children during emergencies.
• Work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions and around typical classroom
noise.
• Work in an environment that may involve exposure to bodily fluids, communicable illnesses, and
cleaning or sanitizing products.

Native Preference per Public Law 93-638 Approved (8-26-2026)

PAY RANGES AND SLOTTING:
8T: High School Diploma/GED
10: High School Diploma/GED plus CDA or equivalent
11: AA in Early Childhood Education or a related field
13: BA in Early Childhood Education or a related field