Substitute Teacher (Head Start)

Company: Plaza De La Raza Child Development Services Inc
Location: City of Industry
Posted on: February 14, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Description: POSITION: Substitute Teacher (Head Start) JOB CODE: ESAT1 OCCUPATIONAL GROUPING: Education REPORTS TO: Education Coordinator or Site Supervisor CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt POSITION TYPE: Full Time/Part Year (10-Months) SALARY GRADE: 19 HOURLY PAY RANGE: $21.97 to $23.08 LOCATIONS: Alhambra, Los Angeles, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, and Whittier, CA PROGRAM SUMMARY Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services, Inc. (Plaza) is a comprehensive early childhood education program with a focus on school readiness for children zero to five years of age. Developmentally appropriate services are provided for children from low-income families, zero to five years of age. Plaza de la Raza currently serves over 700 children and their families. DEFINITION Under general direction, this position facilitates safe and healthy learning environments for young children. Substitute Teacher is responsible for the well-being and safety of children, takes attendance, gathers student observations evidence and implements activities set in the lesson plan. SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED General direction and supervision is provided by the Education Coordinator or the Site Supervisor. DUTIES AND REPSONSIBILITIES • Provides constant and consistent supervision and management of children to ensure a safe, clean, healthy, and secure learning environment. • Removes hazardous and unsafe materials or reports any concerns to the appropriate personnel. • Takes attendance in accordance with procedures. • Implements developmentally appropriate activities based on children’s interests to support School Readiness in all learning domains. • Documents observations of individual children on a daily basis. • Implements classroom activities that encourage healthy habits, i.e., hand washing and brushing teeth. • Provides diaper changes (as needed) and meets toileting needs of children. • Recognizes and reports accidents, illnesses, and suspected child abuse to appropriate personnel according to Child Care Licensing mandates and Plaza de la Raza timelines. • Ensures compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, federal and state regulation, and Community Care Licensing mandates. • Builds relationships with, and participates in, community collaborations and events to enhance Head Start services and recruitment. • Participates in a variety of staff and educational development activities. • Encourages participation in parent groups at the center and provides opportunities for parents to use their skills and talents in the group. • In bilingual settings communicates both verbally and in writing with both parents and the children in their language when possible. • Performs other duties as assigned. Requirements: KNOWLEDGE OF Must have working knowledge of developmentally appropriate activities and milestones that foster the social/emotional, physical, and cognitive development of children including improving the readiness of children for developing their literacy, phonemic, print awareness, understanding and use of language and increasingly complex and varied vocabulary, appreciation of books, understanding of early math and science, problem-solving skills, and approaches to learning. Must possess knowledge of early childhood and development program’s working with and communicating with low-income families, effective child guidance practices and principals. ABILITY TO Must exhibit the ability to establish and maintain a healthy learning environment, support the social/emotional, physical, and cognitive growth and development of children, and encourage family involvement of the children in the program and support the development of relationships between children and their families, implement effective curriculum planning and maintain confidentiality of student information. EDUCATION Associate of Arts (AA) degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related degree from an accredited college and must have a California Child Development Teacher’s Permit. EXPERIENCE Two years of experience (preferred) in a licensed childcare center serving children under 5 years old or a combination of two years of experience in both classroom and group settings is required. HEALTH REQUIREMENTS • Successful completion of an initial health examination, performed by or under the supervision of a physician, to determine, at a minimum, if the prospective employee can perform requirements of the job description physical requirements. • Proof of the absence of Tuberculosis, from a physician, to show that the prospective employee is cleared to work with children and families. • Documentation of current immunizations against Influenza, Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) and Pertussis (TDAP). ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS • Fingerprint clearance from the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Child Abuse Index prior to starting employment. • Completed and signed statement of any pending and/or prior criminal arrests/charges/convictions related to child sexual abuse, child abuse and neglect, and/or violent felonies. • Verification that determines eligibility for employment in the United States of America. • A valid California driver’s license and the availability of private transportation or the ability to obtain transportation to perform position duties is required. • As a mandated reporter of child abuse, must immediately report any suspected child abuse and/or neglect to Child Protective Services. • Must have current certification in CPR and First Aid. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand; walk; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch; and hear. The employee may frequently lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. MAINTAIN PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL STANDARDS • Maintains confidentiality in accordance with Agency policy and legal requirements. • Respects and maintains rights and privacy of all staff, parents, and children. • Attends mandated training and meetings and seekss out staff development opportunities. • Works as a team member with all staff and maintains a positive work ethic. • Acts conscientiously in performing routine duties. Adheres to Plaza de la Raza's Standard of Conduct which indicates that staff members are required to adhere to the following codes of conduct: 1. Respect and promote the unique identity of each child and family and refrain from stereotyping on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, or disability. 2. Follow program confidentiality policies concerning information about children, families and other staff members. 3. Maintain visual observation of children at all times and not leave any child alone or unsupervised while under their care. 4. Use positive methods of child guidance and will not engage in corporal punishment, emotional or physical abuse, or humiliation. 5. Not employ methods of discipline that involve isolations, the used of food as punishment or reward, or the denial of basic needs. 6. Not solicit or accept personal gratuities, favors or anything of significant monetary value form contractors or potential contractors. 7. Maintain respect and promote professional relationships with the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), families, staff and children. 8. Refrain from the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of alcoholic beverage, controlled substance, and tobacco products in the workplace or at any activity funded by federal or state funds. 9. Maintain adherence to LACOE, state, or federal mandates, including but not limited to program eligibility determination regulations for Early Head Start, Head Start or state preschool services. 10. Enrolling pregnant women and children that are not eligible to receive Early Head Start or Head Start services. BENEFIT PLANS Plaza offers eligible employees the opportunity to select plans and programs that meet individual and family needs through our comprehensive benefit plans listed below: Health Care Coverages: Medical, Dental, Vision, Employer Sponsored Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Voluntary Coverages: Accidental, Hospital and Life Insurance Financial: 401(k) Retirement Plan Paid Time Off: Holiday, Sick and Personal Time, and up to 30 Days of Jury Duty Work/Life Solutions: Employee Assistance Program APPLICATION PROCESS 1. Complete an online employment application on www.plazadelarazacds.org ; and submit the required documentation: 1) Resume; 2) Transcripts reflecting degree and major; 3) Copy of valid California Child Development Teacher Permit; and 5) Copy of valid CPR/First Aid for infants/children. Only complete application packets will be considered for the screening and selection process. 2. Submit official transcripts prior to date of hire. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services Inc. is an equal opportunity employer to all. Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population can learn, live, and work in an atmosphere of tolerance, civility, and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Keywords: Plaza De La Raza Child Development Services Inc, Santa Clarita , Substitute Teacher (Head Start), Education / Teaching , City of Industry, California