City of Los Altos
Invites you to apply for the position of:
Preschool Teacher I/II
EXCITING OPPORTUNITY
Are you a new or experienced recreation professional looking for an opportunity to make a positive impact in the public service field? The ideal candidate should be fun, passionate, positive, innovative, and able to collaborate with our dynamic Preschool Program Team.
The Preschool Teacher I/II will have varying degrees of responsibility, will plan, implement, schedule, organize, and direct the City’s Tiny Tot Preschool program for Children ages 3-5 years old, assuring policies and procedures are maintained, and performing related work as required.
About the Parks, Recreation, and community services Team
The City of Los Altos is a unique blend of a small village with tree-lined streets and the influence of the Silicon Valley. The mission of our city staff, council, commissions, committees, and volunteers is to foster and maintain the City of Los Altos as a great place to work, live, play and to raise a family. The City has opened the new Los Altos Community Center, including a Community Room, three multipurpose rooms, meeting rooms, a catering kitchen, and dedicated spaces for seniors, teens, and preschool programs. The 24,500 square foot and LEED gold equivalent facility opened in October 2021.
Department offerings include facility rentals, special events, preschool age program, an active Adults 50+ program, teens, summer camps, sports and volunteer opportunities.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The emphasis of the Tiny Tots program is to provide physical, social, and emotional growth of children in a child-centered environment. Activities are designed to foster a healthy child that has a positive self-image and enjoys learning. The Tiny Tots Preschool age program provides material that will produce an atmosphere conducive to each child’s own individual creativity and self-expression. Children participate in arts/crafts, music, body movement, basic science, cognitive games, creative play, cooking, circle, story time and phonic awareness.
- Ability to plan, organize and lead recreation programs specific to preschool-aged children.
- Develops and instructs curriculum for classroom activities.
- Effectively communicate and maintain relationships in a public setting with adults, children, and residents.
- Engage and motivate children in activities
- Use initiative and sound judgment within established guidelines, prioritizing work and coordinating several activities
- Performs related work as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
KNOWLEDGE OF:
- Child development stages
- School readiness principles
- Equipment needed in a comprehensive childcare program
- Team building principles
- Methods of organizing, conducting, and supervising recreation programs
- Safety, first aid, and other emergency resource methods
- Principles and practices in working in a team environment
SKILL AND ABILITY TO:
- Organize and conduct recreation programs
- Handling the needs and concerns of preschool age children
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships
- Represent the City’s high standards
- Interpret department programs and policies
- Follow written and verbal instructions
- Communicate clearly and concisely -- both orally and in writing
- Practice excellent customer service to interact tactfully and courteously with program participants and general public
- Independently initiate and complete work activities
- Good working knowledge of computer technology (including Microsoft Office)
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND GENERAL WORKING CONDITIONS: Regularly required to sit, stand, squat, climb, balance, reach, twist, kneel, bend, squat, and stoop for prolonged periods of time in the performance of daily activities; may be required to lift, drag, carry, and push equipment, tools, and supplies up to 25 pounds; maintain a professional and neat appearance.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:
Preschool Teacher I
- Possession of a high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent is required
- 1 year paid or volunteer work experience in a preschool environment is preferred
- CPR & First Aid training required within three months of hire
Preschool Teacher II
- Possession of a high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent is required
- 1 to 3 years paid work experience in a preschool environment is required
- Completion 24 semester units of Early Childhood Education (E.C.E.) classes is desirable
- Possession of post-high school degrees/certificates in Early Childhood Education (E.C.E.) is desirable
- CPR & First Aid training required within three months of hire
COMPENSATION
This is a part-time, temporary position. Approximately 15-20 hours per week.
- Preschool Teacher I: $16.40 to $19.75 hourly (depending on experience)
- Preschool Teacher II: $20.50 to $24.75 hourly (depending on experience)
OTHER INFORMATION
Temporary employees are non-benefited, at-will positions. Since the City does not participate in Social Security and is required to provide an alternative retirement plan, you are required to participate in the City's defined contribution retirement plan through Nationwide where 3.75% of your gross compensation per pay period is deducted and put into the plan. The City matches this 3.75% for a total contribution of 7.5% of your gross compensation per pay period.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:
The recruitment will remain open until the position is filled with the next review of applications on 11/28/2022. The City of Los Altos has a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunity employer.
Prior to hire, candidates will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, COVID-19 Vaccine self-attestation, including a complete background investigation. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose a conviction will result in a disqualification or termination.
