THIS IS A NON-CIVIL SERVICE POSITION
 

Salary Range:    

$15.00 - $54.60 Hourly
 

Starting Pay:    

$18.00 - $20.00 Hourly

Get to Know Us   
Welcome to the City of Baltimore! Experience the reward of a fulfilling career and enjoy the added element of excitement in a vibrant, diverse atmosphere. The City of Baltimore offers limitless opportunities to help drive social impact, both on the job and in the community, while serving its citizens. Join us in making Baltimore a great place to live and work. In the City of Baltimore, we hire great people and provide them with the skills and opportunities to grow toward their career aspirations. If you are looking for a career change or are interested in learning more, explore our opportunities and benefits programs. We are excited to have you as a part of the City of Baltimore Team! The city offers medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, optional life, AD&D, and FSA plans. This office also supplies wellness programs, support groups, and workshops. You can learn about our benefits here: https://humanresources.baltimorecity.gov/hr-divisions/benefits

Job Summary     
The Forest Preschool Lead Teacher is responsible for the implementation of curriculum at Forest Preschool, a nature-based preschool and childcare for children ages 2 – 5 years old in Leakin Park. Implementation includes supervision, curriculum development, communication with families, and maintaining a safe, developmentally appropriate classroom and outdoor environment. Position includes professional development and on-going evaluation. The part-time Forest Preschool Lead Teacher will work 30 hours a week, between the hours of 7:30 am - 5:00 pm. Each workday includes a 30-minute, unpaid break.   The position includes embodying Forest Preschool’s commitment to nature education and requires thoughtful planning for learning experiences (primarily outdoors) to help children feel more confident engaging in the natural world while preparing them with the skills they need to be successful in their future school experiences. The Forest Preschool Lead Teacher collaborates with the teaching team to deliver intentional and responsive care. Position reports to Director of Forest Preschool.

Essential Functions     

• Collaborates to implement site-specific nature-based, emergent early childhood curriculum for children ages 2 – 5 years old.
• Implements best practices and policies for young children and families; provides intentional and responsive care to children in program through process of child-caregiver attachment theory
• Responsible for maintaining a safe indoor/outdoor environment that supports child-led, developmentally appropriate play and meets MSDE licensing requirements
• Communicates regularly with current families about the children’s progress and individual needs of children in order to ensure success of program
• Produces documents (written, photo and video) and manages materials (child artifacts and work samples) that document child learning
• Responsible for authentic assessment of children in program, to be shared in biannual conference reports and in parent-teacher conferences
• Responsible for collaboration with Forest Preschool team and Carrie Murray Nature Center naturalists to ensure delegation of tasks as it relates to efficiency of class
• Implements and evaluates extended events for childcare and preschool families
• Maintains anecdotal evidence and observations to inform individual child’s assessment
• Assists in weekly email to families, updating them on group’s experiences and learning
• Cleans shared spaces including outdoor classroom, bathrooms, diapering areas, kitchen, etc.  
• Writes Daily Notes to be sent home with children, including information about caregiving routines and daily explorations

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education: Have an associate's degree preferred (or the equivalent of 48 college credits), including at least 15 semester hours of coursework in the field early education or childhood development  

AND

Experience: Minimum of two years’ experience working with young children in a childcare setting.

Possess the following credentials, certifications, or licenses: Current first aid and CPR credentials;90-hour Child Care Certificate (Applicant may pursue certification upon hire)

Must complete the annual clock hours required by the Office of Child Care to advance or maintain childcare credentials

Must be 19 years of age

OR
 

Equivalency Notes: Have an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities     

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Excited to lead outdoor programming in all kinds of weather
• Flexible mindset and positive attitude
• Experience working collaboratively as part of a team
• Willingness to learn about progressive and alternative philosophies of education
• Naturalist knowledge and any relevant outdoor work is preferred but not required

Additional Information 

Background Check   
Eligible candidates under final consideration for appointment to positions identified as positions of trust will be required to complete authorization for a Criminal Background Check and/or Fingerprint screening, and must be successfully completed.

Probation    
All persons, including current City employees, selected for this position must complete a 6-month mandatory probation.

Baltimore City Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.  The City of Baltimore prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.  Applicants requiring accommodation during the hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources directly. Requests for accommodation should not be attached to the application.

BALTIMORE CITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER