PRIMARY TEACHER

Primary Educator

(Job Description)

Department:  FNA Language Department                           Category:                   RFT

Reports To:    FNA Language Project Director                    Hours of Work:         40

PCN:   S403                                                                            Level:                         G-08

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt                                                   Date Approved:              2/08/2017

SUMMARY

This position will provide a safe, healthy, nurturing environment offering a rich, dual immersion Koyukon Language program to Preschool and Head Start children. This position oversees all teaching aspects of the classroom, as well as works closely with Elders, parents and other staff members.

JOB DUTIES

• Maintains a safe, healthy and positive learning environment, which enhances the developmental learning of children.
• Assists with providing an environment that respects the gender, culture, ethnicity, family composition and special emotional, cognitive and developmental needs of the individual child.
• Develops lesson plans, developing material, and implementing culturally relevant activities to teach the  Koyukon Athabascan Language.
• Cleans classroom on a daily basis, including but not limited to, putting away supplies and cleaning and sanitizing all teaching material (toys) and surfaces.
• Attends staff meetings, and other scheduled meetings and trainings.
• Adheres to all State licensing regulations. 
• Acts as a positive role model for children, especially with regard to respecting the feelings and rights of others.
• Follows program procedures for reporting child abuse and neglect.
• Maintains confidentiality of family records and information.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITY

• Skill in the Koyukon Athabascan Language and willingness to be trained to teach the language.
• Knowledge of curriculum, various content areas, and learning styles is critical to making decisions related to educational planning.
• Ability to report to work in a timely manner.
• Skill in operating a computer utilizing a variety of computer software.
• Knowledge and sensitivity to diverse cultures and lifestyles, and ability to work effectively with Alaskan Native populations.
• Skill in managing multiple priorities and tasks concurrently and meet deadlines.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperate and respectful working relationships with children, parents, supervisor and other employees.
• Strong customer service skills and the ability to effectively present instructions, and/or information to students, staff, parents, administrators, and the public.
• Ability to work independently as well as with teams.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education and Experience)

• Childhood Development Associate (CDA) or AA in Early Childhood, and enrolled in AA/BA ECE Program.
• One year experience working with young children.
• Three references demonstrating positive experience working with or caring for children.
• A combination of experience, education, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may substitute for degree requirements.
• Current Infant/Toddler/Child CPR/First Aid certificate or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (Education and Experience)

• Two (2) year experience working in an Early Childhood or Head Start program.
• Experience working with diverse cultures, especially Alaskan Native/American Indians.
• Candidates who are fluent Native Language speakers.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position corresponds to medium duty work, involving physical exertion of 30-50 lbs. frequently; such exertion involves the lifting and/or moving of young children in the program, and/or goods and materials within the facility. There is frequent walking, standing, climbing, stooping, bending, and squatting/crouching in an indoor classroom as well as an outdoor environment. The majority of work is performed in a classroom setting with a wide variety of people with differing functions, personalities, and abilities. The office is a non-smoking facility with outside smoking areas. May involve local travel between various program components of FNA and home visits where exposure to extreme weather conditions are likely. Works in an environment where protection of client confidentiality is essential. Position requires cleaning the classroom area every day, including putting supplies in proper space, cleaning and sanitizing surfaces with bleach solution to disinfect. Personal Protective Equipment will be provided where/when needed.

SPECIFICATIONS

Supervision Received:

Position receives supervision from the Language Project Director. Work will be monitored through weekly meetings, monthly reports, and regular communication with your supervisor. General guidelines for operations are based on program requirements and the general policies and procedures of FNA.

Supervision Exercised:

This position assists with the supervision of two classroom aides.

Position Impact:

Impact at the program level is high. Program’s level of compliance with the program standards is directly affected by the effective performance of duties, especially as they relate to providing program services.

Contacts:

Contacts may include, but not limited to, volunteers, elders, parents, students, organizational staff, and outside agencies.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT

This Job Description describes the essential functions and qualifications. It is not an exhaustive statement of all the duties, responsibilities, or qualification of the job, and management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all the duties listed and may be required to perform additional, job-related duties. This document is not intended to exclude modification consistent with providing reasonable accommodations for disability.

This position will (or may) require you to frequently (or incidentally) drive your personal vehicle for FNA business. Per FNA’s automotive insurance policy, in order to drive an FNA-owned vehicle, an individual must be at least 21 years of age. No employee may transport an FNA consumer in a personal vehicle.

Continued employment status will be contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal background investigation and the pre-employment drug testing process. Where required, continued employment status (post job offer) will be contingent upon employee providing certification of annual tuberculosis (TB) screening and medical certification that employee does not, because of infectious or communicable disease, pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of program participants or others in the workplace.

Notice:  All employment at the Fairbanks Native Association (FNA) is “at will.” This means the employee or FNA may terminate employment at any time and for any reason. Unless specified in writing, no duration of employment is expressed or implied for this position. Your signature indicates that you have read this job description and understand the essential functions of and qualifications for the job.