Job Description

Since 1870, Erie Neighborhood House has provided the most comprehensive support immigrant and low-income families in Chicago need to thrive and has constantly evolved to meet their needs. Today, Erie House is a modern social services nonprofit with programming and resources for children and youth, mental health and community wellness, adult education and training, legal services, and more. Through these programs, we empower the people we work alongside to build powerful communities.

Erie Neighborhood House, a community-building agency empowering Chicago’s low-income and immigrant families and dedicated to promoting a just and inclusive society is seeking a Lead Infant Teacher. 

In return to your commitment to Erie House and its mission to the community, you will enjoy excellent professional development opportunities, opportunity for growth, and have direct impact in building powerful communities. Be a part of one of the oldest and most respected Settlement House in the Chicago Land Area. 

Reporting to the Site Director, the basic function of the Infant Teacher is to maintain the safety and well-being of infants in their care.

Position Responsibilities:  

• Implement the Early Head Start/Prevention Initiative curriculum
• Implement developmentally appropriate practice
• Working alongside the Site Director, the Lead Teacher will provide discipline and feedback performance review for the Assistant Teacher.
• Meets monthly with Site Director for supervision and support. 
• Act as part of a team in creating an environment where children can learn 
• Act as part of a team in creating and implementing group lesson plans
• Meets with Assistant Toddler Teacher(s) on a monthly basis to provide supervision and support and to discuss classroom concerns.
• Serve as the primary caregiver for an assigned group of children
• Monitor children at all times using active supervision
• Record observations, write individual child lesson plans, maintain up-to-date documentation in COPA, Teaching Strategies GOLD, and child education files
• Implement screenings, assessments, and reporting of outcomes for assigned children
• Communicate with parents/families and reports child progress through scheduled parent-teacher conferences and home visits
• Initiate referrals for children with suspected special needs
• Take proper care of classroom equipment and supplies and reports all repairs as needed and maintains an inventory
• Research new ideas, methods, resources and materials for lesson plans
• Promote an atmosphere of team work where staff, parents and children interact positively with each other
• Participate in required agency meetings and in-service trainings
• Maintain Gateways registry membership
• Participate in 20 hours of professional development each program year
• Maintain 5 hours Gateways approved training each program year
• Responsible for the program complying with Erie, the Board of Education and all State licensing requirements and performance standards, including promoting the health and safety of all children, following sanitation procedures and universal precautions, completing a bi-annual physical exam, complying with the Confidentiality and Child Abuse and Neglect Act as a mandated reporter, as well as the American with Disabilities Act and Erie’s Inclusion Policy
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• AA in ECE 
• Must Obtain a Level 4 Gateway Credential by 2024
• 2-3 Years of experience working in a nursery or licensed daycare
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
• Must be able to sit on the floor for extended periods of time
• Experience in caring for infants and toddlers preferred
• Physical constraints required include, but not limited to, the ability to lift and carry children and other items weighing up to 50 pounds including evacuation of the building during emergencies.
• Demonstrates the following qualities: self-motivated, self-directed, follows directions, makes good judgments, creative, reliable, and dependable. 
• Exhibits sincere interest in working with children and is knowledgeable regarding children's development and growth.
• Proof of eligibility to work in the U.S.
• Upon offer of employment, must complete all forms related to hiring, including Erie’s application and employment status and 3 letters of recommendation. In addition, must complete all DCFS forms, including a Criminal Background Check, Fingerprinting and a Child Abuse and Neglect Background Check.

TEAM MEMBER BENEFITS 

• Compensation of $39,000 - 42,000 salary (hourly rate $18.75 - $20.19) based on experience 
• Work / life integration 
  • Generous paid time off (examples below for full-time employment) 
• 12 accrued sick days per year 
• 3 personal days 
• Paid birthday off 
• 8 paid holidays, including Juneteenth 
• In addition to above paid holidays, paid week off between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day 
• Vacation 
  • Year 1 = 8 days 
  • Year 2 = 13 days 
  • Year 3 + = 20 days 
• Access to alternative and flexible work schedules and personal leave, where possible 
• Two-weeks fully paid Parental Leave, for eligible employees
• Time off for school conferences and activities as well as bereavement leave 
• Professional Development 
  • Employer-sponsored learning and development programs 
  • Paid day off annually for personal professional development
  • Tuition Assistance & Debt Relief Program, as budget allows 
  • DEI Council-sponsored education and engagement series
• Wellness support 
  • Employer-sponsored health, dental, and vision insurance 
  • Employer-paid life insurance 
  • Voluntary life and AD&D and short and long-term disability 
  • Flexible Spending Accounts for medical, vision and dependent care 
  • 403b with employer match 
  • Employee Assistance Program 
  • Yoga, Zumba and Book Club, when onsite 

Union Status: Non - Exempt / Union 

$500 Hiring Incentive upon hire and another $500 upon completion of 90 days 

Erie Neighborhood House is dedicated to creating a workforce that promotes and supports diversity and inclusion. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals without discrimination. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact us at [email protected]. 

No telephone calls please!
Must be a member of afscme or join after 30 days
Erie neighborhood house is an equal opportunity employer
Accredited by naeyc & national after school association
Recognized by department of justice; 
United way member

Since 1870, Erie Neighborhood House has provided the most comprehensive support immigrant and low-income families in Chicago need to thrive and has constantly evolved to meet their needs. Today, Erie House is a modern social services nonprofit with programming and resources for children & youth, mental health & community wellness, adult education & training, legal services, and more.

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