Head Start programs prepare America’s most vulnerable young children to succeed in school and in life beyond school.  The SIUE Head Start program currently has multiple immediate Early Childhood Teacher Assistant vacancies to fill for the 2023-2024 academic year. 

The SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start Program is committed to ensuring children and families are engaged with highly qualified staff who have the heart, spirit, and knowledge base to support the achievement of children and families. Head Start/Early Head Start Early Childhood Teacher Assistants support the head classroom teacher in welcoming children and families from diverse backgrounds and create a safe, loving, developmentally appropriate space that promotes emotional/social growth and provides a rigorous school readiness experience.  Position responsibilities include supporting developmentally appropriate instructional plans, engaging with all children during instruction (including children with identified specialized needs), and promoting positive behavior management. Teacher Assistants support the facilitation of developmental screenings, on-going assessments, and recording of outcome data in order to determine future instruction as well as participate in home visits and parent-teacher conferences as requested by the teacher.  

Head Start Teacher Assistant positions are nine- month (August - May), full-time positions, and serve children between the ages of three and five years of age.  Early Head Start Teacher Assistant positions are twelve- month, full-time positions, and serve children between the ages of six weeks and thirty-six months of age.  SIUE Head Start centers are located in Belleville, Cahokia, Caseyville, East St. Louis, Lebanon, and Lovejoy, Illinois. Final center assignments will be decided upon hire based on programmatic needs. 

The SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start program serves more than 860 families and children birth through age five, including children with special needs, throughout St. Clair County and consists of a team of individuals dedicated to making real change that leads to the success of children, families and communities.  The program is housed in 9 early childhood centers, eight managed directly by SIUE staff and two collaborations. SIUE’s Head Start program includes a rigorous school readiness program and provides comprehensive services, such as health/dental screenings and family engagement and support activities.  

To apply to our Early Childhood Teacher openings:
Interested candidates must upload and attach the following documentation to their application package in SIUE’s HireTouch system:
-Cover Letter
-Resume
-Unofficial academic transcripts, including those for SIUE. All candidates must provide transcripts and/or certifications for minimum qualification verification.
-List of at least three professional references with current contact information.
-All 2023 application forms listed under job title located on the Applicant Profile page (refresh browser if needed).

When uploading your required documents, please ensure you attach them to the correct position using the drop-down box to label.  Failure to follow this step may keep Hiring Managers from reviewing your materials. Incomplete application packages will result in a delay of review and/or non-review.  Applicants will be subject to a background check and drug screening prior to an offer of employment. NOTE: Some positions may be represented by a union and may incur union dues.

SIUE offers an exceptional array of benefits to all full-time employees including:
*Medical, dental and vision insurance; 
*Life insurance;
*SURS retirement plan;
*Supplemental retirement savings plans;
*Vacation and sick leave accrual;
*Generous holiday schedule;
*WorkLife programs;
*Employee Assistance Program (mental health and wellness);
*Employee discounts (local and national retailers);
*University tuition waivers (full-time receive 100% waiver of tuition)

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville nurtures an open, respectful, and welcoming climate that facilitates learning and work. SIUE is committed to education that explores the historic significance of diversity in order to understand the present and to better enable our community to engage the future. Integral to this commitment, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville strives for a student body and a workforce that is both diverse and inclusive. We strongly encourage candidates from historically underrepresented groups, including women, members of racially minoritized groups, and individuals with disabilities, to apply.  For more on our Statement of Diversity, visit SIUE Mission, Goals and Plans 

Tier I:

-  Associate degree or higher in Early Childhood Education or Child Development 

OR 

Tier 2:

-  Possess a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or a state-awarded certificate 

   that meets or exceeds the requirements for a CDA credential; 

   OR 

-  Currently enrolled in a program that will lead to an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education having already completed

   at least half (50%) of coursework.  Demonstrate active enrollment each semester/term in the associates degree program from

   the time of hire.  Demonstrate successful completion and progress towards meeting the degree requirements at the end of

   each semester/term.  Courses taken need to count/accrue towards earning the qualified degree.

*All candidates must provide transcripts for a full course work assessment.

-Experience in teaching pre-school aged children;
-Experience interacting with diverse individuals at various levels within a team;
-Physically accustomed to floor exercises and walking/bending/kneeling.