The Head Start Floater Teacher is a collaborative Maricopa County Early Education Division (EED) member. The Head Start Floater Teacher promotes active learning in the preschool classroom by implementing developmentally appropriate, individualized experiences.  They will assist in creating a safe and nurturing environment in which 3-year-old to 5-year-old children can enhance their skills in language and literacy, cognitive development, approaches to learning, physical development, social-emotional development, and development of age-appropriate social and self-help skills.  This position will support any Head Start classroom as needed and report to various worksites throughout their assigned area as requested by the supervisor.

About Us

The Early Education Division is dedicated to ensuring children have the knowledge and skills to be successful in school and life through service delivery to children and families in core areas of early learning, health, and family well-being while engaging parents as partners every step of the way. Head Start encompasses Head Start preschool programs, which primarily serve 3- and 4-year-old children, and Early Head Start programs for infants, toddlers, and pregnant women.

Join our team and unlock your potential!

Proud to Offer

• Work with a greater purpose
• Tuition reimbursement
• Exceptional work-life balance
• Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County
• Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents
• Child care benefits including access to our upcoming on-site center Maricopa County Kids Club, dedicated to serving Maricopa County families exclusively
• Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
• Extensive wellness program, including healthcare premium discounts
• Employee discounts for goods and services
• Maricopa County participates in the Arizona State Retirement System. This defined retirement benefit requires a 12.27% monthly contribution rate and includes a 100% employer match on Day 1
• Learn more at  Work With Us | Maricopa County, AZ

We Require

• Six months of experience teaching in a licensed childcare or pre-k setting
• Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or equivalent college degree with 18 credits in early childhood education and/or child development (as evidenced by a transcript)
• Completion of supervised student teaching in an early childhood setting may substitute for the teaching experience requirement

We Also Value

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development or equivalent post-secondary degree, which includes 18 credits in early childhood education and/or child development
• Two years of experience teaching in a Head Start or other early childhood education/family services program
• Supervisory experience in Head Start or other early childhood education/family services program
• Bilingual in English/Spanish
• Preference is given to current and former Early Head Start and Head Start parents

Job Contributions

• Assists in implementing a responsive and evidence-based curriculum and classroom environment
• Utilizes developmentally appropriate practices that meet the needs and interests of children and Head Start Program Performance Standards
• Ensures compliance with all Federal, State, and Head Start regulations and licensing requirements and program policies and procedures
• Respects and supports the diverse cultural and family backgrounds and treats each child and parent as an individual. Respects, values and facilitates parent participation as equal partners in all aspects of Educational Plans
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with each family, site team members, community agencies, community partners, and grantee staff members
• Assists with the recruitment and enrollment of children and families into the Maricopa County EED Program
• Assumes responsibility for the care and welfare of the classroom children and is responsible for supervising all children at all times to ensure their safety and well-being
• Ensures the classroom environment is safe, clean, orderly, and facilitates growth, development, and learning
• Assists in the preparation and maintenance of accurate records that evaluate ongoing observations of each child’s growth and development while maintaining the confidentiality of child, family and program information
• Supports and promotes each child’s physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language development
• Assists in the completion of weekly observations on children to monitor and document children’s developmental progress
• Assists in the completion of formal developmental assessments on children at least three times per year
• Supports the implementation of Individual Education Plans (IEP’s) for children with disabilities & plans classroom experiences to support the IEP plan
• Assists with maintaining daily communication with parents and assists in conducting a minimum of two educational home visits and two parent/teacher conferences per family each program year
• Understands Early Education Division and Maricopa County policies and supports the philosophy of Maricopa County Human Services Department and the EED in the implementation of performance standards, as identified in division goals, program policies and procedures
• Assists with and/or completes family service follow-up, documentation, reports and evaluations as required by State or Federal regulations, State child care licensing requirements and supervisors
• Assists in the planning of and participates in monthly parent committee meetings and promotes parent volunteer experiences in classroom
• Assists in the planning of child transitions into Head Start and out of Head Start to kindergarten
• Complies with all Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) guidelines and CACFP record-keeping
• Administers First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), as required

Working Conditions

• Must complete a background check and fingerprint identification upon hire to secure and maintain an Arizona Department of Public Safety Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card
• Must be able to pass a medical exam that includes screening for TB, as required by Federal and State regulations, to be free of communicable disease, and must have received the following vaccinations: (MMR) Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Tetanus if not current, to assure no significant risk exists to the health or safety of others
• Must possess or have the ability to obtain a valid Arizona driver's license by the time of hire
• Must obtain a CPR, first aid, and food handler’s certification within six weeks of hire
• Ability to read, write, and speak Spanish may be required for some positions
• Work is performed in various classroom, playground and office environments. Requires travel to and from job related locations during a scheduled workday, subject to County policies regarding use of County vehicles and/or private vehicles used on County business. Requires personal vehicle use to travel to and from children's homes, classrooms and other job-related locations. Will be required to fill in as a substitute staff member at various program sites.  Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds.  Must be able to stand, sit on floor, and be indoors or outdoors for extended periods.  Possible exposure to bodily fluids and infectious disease
• Head Start Floater Teacher positions follow a full-year schedule
• Positions that follow a full-year schedule are typically comprised of 2088 hours annually
• Birth to Five site classrooms operate Monday through Friday

• Six months of experience teaching in a licensed childcare or pre-k setting
• Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or equivalent college degree with 18 credits in early childhood education and/or child development (as evidenced by a transcript)
• Completion of supervised student teaching in an early childhood setting may substitute for the teaching experience requirement

Maricopa County Careers