City of Oakland - Head Start Coach (1 year position)

Exempt Limited Duration Employee (ELDE): This is an at-will position, benefited, exempt from the provisions of the City of Oakland Civil Service Rules (per Charter Section 902f). Exempt Limited Duration positions may not exceed a period of one year.

The City of Oakland is currently recruiting to fill up to three (3) Head Start Coach Instructor vacancies in either/or Center-based and Home-based settings within the Human Services Department. The City of Oakland Head Start/Early Head Start is a federally and state funded early childhood education program that promotes school readiness for children from birth to age five. We offer free early childhood education and family services to low-income Oakland residents.

Under direction in the Human Services Department, the Head Start Coach implements the Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) Program’s research-based, coordinated, coaching strategy and priorities for education staff; provides support to education staff to increase the quality of teaching and child outcomes related to the program’s school readiness goals; presents supportive and targeted feedback using a consistent, systematic, and guided approach; trains and mentor/coaches staff; and performs related duties as assigned.

Oakland is proud to offer their employees a generous comprehensive benefit package and is committed to the well-being of its employees. Benefits can include: Medical coverage, dental plans, vision care as well as deferred compensation, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts.

We are looking for someone who: 

• Is a passionate educator who wants to make a positive difference in the lives of Oakland children and families. 
• Has extensive demonstrated knowledge regarding principles of research-based, coaching strategies and coaching of adults including training, modeling, assessment, observation and monitoring, and evaluation of staff. 
• Is a strong relationship builder with good communication skills. You will have the opportunity to interact in a culturally diverse workplace with infants, toddlers, parents, and community members. 
• Has extensive demonstrated knowledge regarding infant, toddler, and early childhood development, growth, and behavior. 
• Has an attention to detail, is reliable, confidential and able to work both independently and collaboratively with employees at all levels. 
• Has a genuine interest in learning and developing their career. Within the Head Start program, there are opportunities to grow professionally. 

What you will typically be responsible for: 

• Assisting education staff with improving teaching practices including strategies for structuring environments, routines, and interactions that contribute to positive social-emotional outcomes for the children and families in a program. 
• Assisting the Head Start Education Coordinator by conducting assessments of education staff to identify strengths, areas needing support, and appropriate coaching efforts. 
• Administering intensive coaching sessions to identified education staff, which includes periods of observation, feedback, and modeling of effective teacher practices directly related to program performance goals. 
• Tracking and encouraging education staff participation in required training modules and other training sessions from outside vendors.
• Preparing for all group and 1:1 coaching sessions; conducting individual and group meetings as specified according to each coaching model. 
• Following the selected coaching model, including supporting participants in goal setting and action planning, providing a focused observation, and engaging participants in reflection; providing feedback that is clear and facilitates understanding and development. 
• Ensuring that the appropriate documentation is completed during each coaching cycle. 

A few reasons you might love this job: 

• You will be a part of a dynamic Head Start team. 
• Your work will have a direct impact on providing important services to a community with a rich and dynamic history.
• You will have great colleagues. Head Start employees are fiercely passionate about public service and community, and proud to uplift Oakland as a dynamic, innovative, vibrant city. 
• You will have excellent learning opportunities to grow and develop your expertise in early childhood development.

Education: A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood education or related field.

Experience: Two (2) years of experience involving adult learning, using assessment data to drive coaching strategies that align with program performance goals, and providing lead direction and/or evaluation and feedback.

Note: Two (2) years of experience as a teacher or home visitor in a Head Start Program or other early childhood education setting may be substituted for the one (1) year of coaching experience. Previous experience in adult learning and coaching strategies is highly desirable.

License or Certificate/Other Requirements:

Must possess and maintain a Master Teacher (or higher) Permit.

Must possess or obtain Pediatric CPR and First Aid certifications within ninety (90) days of hire – check against other HSD Head Start spec

Must possess or obtain Classroom Assessment Scoring Systems (CLASS) certification within twelve (12) months of hire or promotion.

Must possess or obtain a coaching certification in adult learning or early childhood education within twelve (12) months of hire or promotion into the position.

What’s in it for you? 

• Work/Life Balance: 37.5 hour work weeks, and a flexible/hybrid remote schedule
• 15 paid holidays 
• Vacation: 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
• Retirement: CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security 
• Health: The City of Oakland pays the full cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care, and other HMO and PPO plans 
• Dental: Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents 
• Vision: VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents 
• Sick leave: Employees accrue 12 days per year
• Deferred Compensation: 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
• Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.