Early Childhood Educator

Position Title: Early Childhood Educator

Employee Classification: Early Childhood Educator

College/Division: College of Hlth, Educ & Soc Trans

Department: 350150-CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

Internal or External Search: External – Open to all applicants

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: 50,000

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

Exempt or Non-Exempt: Exempt

Summary: NMSU School for Young Children is looking for a new addition to its teaching team in its state-funded early Pre-K classroom. For More information visit: https://careers.nmsu.edu/jobs/search

New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Classification Summary:
Plan and implement curriculum that provides learning experiences that will advance the intellectual and physical development of children thus improving readiness for school. Establish and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment. Support the social and emotional development of children; and encourage the involvement of the families with children in a Head Start program.Support the development of relationships between children and their families.

Classification Standard Duties:
Plan and implement learning experiences that advance the intellectual and physical development of children, including: improving the readiness of children for school by developing their literacy, phonemic, and print awareness, their understanding and use of language,increasingly complex and varied vocabulary, their appreciation of books, their understanding of early math, counting, geometric shapes, and early science,and their problem-solving abilities. Organize and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, storytelling, and field trips. Observe and evaluate children’s performance, behavior, social development, and physical health. Identify children showing signs of emotional, developmental, or health-related problems, and discuss them with supervisors, parents or guardians, and child development specialists. Administer tests to help determine children’s developmental levels, needs, and potential. Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students’ needs and progress. Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations. Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Required Education, Experience, Certification/License, Equivalency
Required Education:Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood education or field related to Early Childhood or Child Development.; Required Experience:No previous experience required.; Equivalency:Associate degree in Early Childhood Education Child development or related field with one-year experience. Complete a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child development, or related to Early childhood within 3 years of hire date.; Required Certification/License:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
KNOWLEDGE:Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.; SKILLS:Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Teaching others how to do something. Talking to others to convey information effectively. Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things. Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do. Managing one’s own time and the time of others.; ABILITIES:The ability to communicate information and ideas orally and in writing so others will understand. Ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. Ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. Ability to develop creative ways to solve a problem.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
Plan and implement Reggio inspired curriculum based on Pre-K policy brief and New Mexico’s curriculum framework.
Oversees classroom management. Observe and assess children’s developmental progress. Document growth and development of children using Pre-K or Focus assessments. Maintain portfolios on children in caseload. Establish relationships with families. Mentors and guides student employees. Mentors and guides student employees, practicum students and student teachers.

Preferred Qualifications

One to two years experience in a state-funded pre-k classroom setting, with the use of Pre-K standards and guidelines. Experience working with practicum students, future teachers and team teaching situations.

Special Requirements of the Position
Must be willing to conduct home visits during times that families are available and monthly family events outside of the normal business hours. First Aid/CPR required as well as a state background clearance, upon hire.

Department Contact: Melissa Villegas, 575-646-1651, mville@nmsu.edu

Contingent Upon Funding: Contingent upon external funding

Bargaining Unit Eligibility: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule:

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed indoors.

Physical Effort: Moderate physical activity.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 25 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.