Head Start Lead Teacher

TEACHER/CENTER SUPERVISOR

NEEDED FOR THE

COUNCIL BLUFFS

HEAD START CLASSROOM

THIS POSITION WILL START IN LATE JULY OR EARLY AUGUST 2026

West Central Community Action is seeking a Lead Teacher for the Council Bluffs Head Start Program. Teachers work with parents and children, direct daily educational activities, and supervise classroom staff.

The Head Start Teacher creates and manages an attractive, warm and challenging learning environment for preschool children. The Head Start Teacher directs the daily educational activities, coordinates and approves all child activities in the assigned Head Start center. The Head Start Teacher will incorporate appropriate early intervention, learning and care activities meeting the needs of the group as well as those of individual children and families while providing and maintaining a safe environment. The following tasks will be accomplished in accordance with the written Head Start Program Performance Standards, Head Start Policies and Procedures, and state licensing codes.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Policies & Procedures, Record Keeping, Professional Expectations, Meetings, Trainings:

• Be knowledgeable with and abide by West Central Community Action (WCCA) and Head Start Program policies and procedures while working with families and within the communities we serve.

• Report to work as scheduled on time and maintain good attendance.

• Participate in and support all program activities.

• Support management decisions in both actions and in words.

• Follow the written Code of Conduct, Head Start Performance Standards, Head Start Policies & Procedures, and WCCA Policies at all times.

• Staff members are required to follow job-related instructions in a timely manner.

• Advocate and recruit for all (WCCA) Programs including Head Start and its clientele.

• Maintain accurate attendance, nutrition, in-kind and other required records/reports.

• Report suspected abuse to DHS when there is reasonable cause for suspecting that a child is a victim of child abuse – all Head Start staff members are considered Mandatory Reporters.

• Report on-the-job injuries or illnesses to the WCCA Human Resources Director by phone and follow reporting procedures.

• Conduct monthly center staff meetings, attend Family Nights, bi-weekly Family Advocate/Teacher Meeting, pre-service, and professional development sessions as directed.

• Attend all meetings concerning children in the classroom, as directed.

• Participate in coaching as determined by the Strengths and Needs Assessment or other relevant data.

• Recruit, train, and supervise volunteers in the Head Start classroom.

Education Requirements

Associate's Degree in Child Development/Early Childhood Education Required and 1-year experience as a member of a classroom team

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Education, is preferred.

This is a full-time, 38-week position that may be eligible for the federal student loan forgiveness program.

Benefits include health, dental, life insurances, vacation, sick pay and paid holidays, IPERS and 403(b) retirement plans.

Find out more about this position and apply online at westcentralca.org.

Please attach college diploma(s) and transcripts to your application.

In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, West Central Community Action affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in any of its programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the Agency.

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, transgender, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, covered veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Eligibility and other terms and conditions of employment benefits at West Central Community Action are governed by laws and regulations of the State of Iowa, and this non-discrimination statement is intended to be consistent with those laws and regulations.

Neither this job posting nor any submission of your resume or letter of application should be construed as an offer, guarantee, or length of employment.