JOB LOCATION

1300 S Chambers Cir Aurora, Colorado 80012-4729

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.
 
Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Dream of being a superhero, but with glitter glue instead of a cape? ✨ An Early Childhood Assistant Teacher transforms curious three-year-olds into confident six-year-olds, sparking a lifelong appreciation for learning. Ready to plan, prepare, and implement developmentally appropriate preschool programs? Master everything from crayon chaos to annual parent conferences. Your quest begins here! Model our Core 4 Values: Customer Service, Professionalism, Integrity, and Respect. Join a team dedicated to each child's educational journey. It’s an adventure in early education, packed with purpose and tiny high-fives! 🍎

 **This job announcement is for collecting candidate applications for current and future Early Childhood Assistant Teachers and Substitute Teachers. ** Applicants will be contacted only when a position need is identified, and qualifications match the needs of the position. **

Hourly Pay: $17.00/hour  

Estimated average hours per week: 10-30

Hours vary between 7:30 AM and 4:00 PM, depending upon location.

This is classified as VHNE (Variable Hour Non-Benefit Employee). This position does not provide medical benefits. This position earns sick leave in accordance with the Healthy Families and Workplace Act.
 

Teachers with an age-appropriate child may enroll their child for free if space is available.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Plan, prepare, and implement lesson plans (with supply lists) utilizing all assigned curriculum standards

• Lead class activities

• Maintain confidential records of children’s personal information and progress reports

• Record and monitor daily attendance

• Provide a safe classroom environment, including inspecting all equipment/materials for safety 

• Maintain classroom management/discipline according to policies and safety codes 

• Provide regular communication with parents, utilizing all approved communication tools as assigned by the Preschool Supervisor 

• Recruit parent helpers and guest speakers

• Complete assignments/assessments as required for Universal Preschool Program classrooms.

• Create Individual Learning Plans, twice a year, for all children, including all assessments assigned.

• Conduct 2 annual parent/teacher conferences, as well as any other conferences as needed 

• Set up/clean up classroom as designated by Preschool Supervisor

• Routine cleaning/sanitizing/disinfecting of classroom and materials

• Attend meetings and workshops

• Fulfill all assigned training hours/ 15 required by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, city of Aurora and any trainings assigned

• Occasional virtual teaching

• Maintain Colorado Shines rating standards

• Maintain PDIS credential

• Market and recruit new students

• Follow all rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and best practices developed by governing bodies. IE Colorado Department of Early Childhood, Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE), Aurora Fire Department, Nurse, city of Aurora, Colorado Shines (QRIS), etc.

• Performs other related duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

• Must be at least 18 years old 

Education: 

• Must meet the education and experience guidelines for an Early Childhood Teacher as outlined in the Colorado Department of Early Childhood Rules and Regulations 2.216A

  • An Early Childhood Teacher, assigned responsibility for a single group of children and working under the supervision of a Director, must be 18 year of age and meet at least one of the following criteria:

    • A Bachelor’s Master’s or Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following:

      • Child Development;

      • Child Psychology;

      • Early Childhood Education;

      • Early Childhood Special Education;

      • Educational Leadership & Administration;

      • Elementary Education;

      • Family & Human Development;

      • Family Studies or

      • Special Education.

    • A Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university with a major area of study in any area other than those listed above and an additional two- three semester credit hour courses in Early Child Education with one course as the following:

      • Introduction to Early Childhood Professions or

      • Early Childhood Guidance Strategies for Children or has been issued a Colorado Pyramid Model Training certificate of completion

    • An Associate’s degree (60 semester credit hours) from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Education or Child Development which must include at least two- three semester credit hour courses in either

      • Introduction to Early Childhood Professions or

      • Early Childhood Guidance Strategies for Children or has been issued a Colorado Pyramid Model Training certificate of completion

    • A current professional teaching license issued by the Colorado Department of Education with an Endorsement in the area of Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, or Early Childhood Special Education Specialist.

    • A current Early Childhood Professional Credential Level II or higher in Version 3.0 as determined by the Department

    • Completion of a course of training approved by the Department and published on the Department’s approved list; and nine months (1,365 hours) of verified experience in the care and supervision of four or more children less than eight years of age who are not related to the individual

    • Three months (455 hours) of verified experience in the care and supervision of four or more children less than eight years of age who are not related to the individual; and the completion of 18 semester credit hours from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Education, with one course as:

      • Introduction to Early Childhood Professions or

      • Early Childhood Guidance Strategies for Children or has been issued a Colorado Pyramid Model Training certificate of completion

    • Twenty-one months (3,185 hours) of verified experience in the care and supervision of four or more children less than eight years of age who are not related to the individual. Satisfactory experience includes being a licensee of a Colorado Family Child Care Home, a Teacher’s Aide or Teacher in a childcare center, preschool, or elementary school. In addition, the individual must either:

      • Possess a current Early Childhood Professional Credential Level I or higher in Version 3.0 as determined by the Department

    • Complete two- three semester credit hour courses from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Education, with one course as:

      • Introduction to Early Childhood Professions or has been issued the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential; or

      • Early Childhood Guidance Strategies for Children or has been issued a Colorado Pyramid Model Training certificate of completion

Experience: 

• Minimum experience hours are required based upon the educational qualifications listed above as determined by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least two years of experience working directly with children in a licensed childhood development program.

Knowledge:

• Child development and administration of appropriate practices

• Preschool curriculum and implementation

• Effective classroom management and positive guidance techniques

• Computer operation with related word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, virtual meeting and registration software applications

• Colorado Early Learning and Development Guidelines

• Governing rules and regulations (Office of Early Childhood, local health department, Colorado Shines, etc)

Skills: 

• Strong organization, management, and communication skills

• Strong customer service skills

• Strong crisis management & communication skills

• Strong interpersonal skills for all age groups

• Strong planning skills

• Proficient windows-based computer skills

Abilities: 

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with team members, city of Aurora employees, all levels of management including executive staff, citizens, and elected officials

• Handle sensitive and/or stressful situations with tact and diplomacy

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing

• Effectively manage classroom environments

• Demonstrate positive guidance techniques in a preschool environment

• Creatively solve problems, negotiate and handle stressful situations in a positive manner

• Ensure accuracy in information and correcting errors as needed

• Complete tasks and respond to inquiries in a timely manner

Licenses and Certifications Required: 

• Must meet appropriate Early Childhood Teacher requirements/qualifications and provide all documentation as required by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood upon hire which includes:

  • CBI & FBI Criminal Background checks

  • Child Abuse and Neglect (TRAILS) check

  • Current Colorado Early Childhood Teacher qualification letter or current Early Childhood Professional Credential Level II or higher (3.0 version)

  • Multi-hazard Planning for Childcare Disaster Preparedness Training through FEMA

  • Pre-Service Building and Physical Premises Safety training (within 30 days)

  • Introduction to the Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education Programs (within 90 days)

  • Recognizing the Impact of Bias on Early Childhood Professionals (within 90 days)

• Maintain all necessary requirements/trainings which include:

  • Current First Aid/CPR/AED certificate or 1 hr First Aid certification through PDIS (every 2 years)

  • OSHA approved Standard Precautions (Annually)

  • Recognition and Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect (Annually)

  • Prevention of Shaken Baby/Abusive Head Trauma Training (every 2 years)

  • Complete fifteen (15) hours training annually as specified by the Office of Early Childhood

  • Maintain PDIS profile and current Credential Level

  • Any additional training as assigned by Preschool Supervisor

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential Personnel: 

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel

Physical Demands:

• Moderate physical work; may require ability to lift up to 50 pounds with our without assistance; some lifting and carrying objects.

• Frequent standing and walking

• May require frequent bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, and climbing

• Hand/eye coordination for operation of computer

• Clear vision to facilitate preschool curriculum, read books, reports and other written material

• Frequent speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with students, families, COA employees and citizens. 

Work Environment:

• Works primarily in clean, comfortable environment; requires work both indoors and outdoors with exposure to dust, sun, odors and noise.

Equipment Used:

• Uses standard office equipment including personal computer and common office software such as email, internet, Word, Excel, WebEx, PowerPoint and menu driven databases as a part of the automated systems.

• Specialized softwares/databases are used for lesson planning, assessment tools, parent communication and enrollment activities.

• This position may require the incumbent to use personal equipment (e.g. cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.

• May require operation of own motor vehicle.

For Veterans preference:  Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
           
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer.  We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants.  It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.
                                         
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace.  A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.
 

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check. 

Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.  

Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.