Clarification from the agency

Open to the public

 Job Summary

The Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) provides operations support services and business solutions to the community of 10,000 House Members, Officers and staff. The CAO organization comprises more than 650 technical and administrative staff working in a variety of areas, including information technology, finance, budget management, human resources, payroll, childcare, food and vending, procurement, logistics and administrative counsel.

The Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) provides operations support services and business solutions to the community of 10,000 House Members, Officers and staff. The CAO organization comprises more than 650 technical and administrative staff working in a variety of areas, including information technology, finance, budget management, human resources, payroll, childcare, food and vending, procurement, logistics and administrative counsel.

The House of Representatives Child Care Center (HRCCC) has been providing full-day, year-round, quality childcare for children of the Members of Congress, staff, and House support personnel since 1987. Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the HRCCC is a developmentally based childcare program where staff work as partners with parents in the development of the whole child, including their physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development. Our mission is to provide exceptional quality care and developmentally appropriate learning experiences in a safe, nurturing, and diverse environment to support the children and families of the House Community.

The incumbent serves as a Lead Teacher and is responsible coordinating and overseeing all aspects of the day-to-day delivery of child care services in assigned classrooms; providing active supervision of assigned children at all times; ensuring that children’s physical, cognitive, and emotional needs are met; training and mentoring staff; overseeing developmentally appropriate, child-centered curriculum and assessment; and establishing positive relationships with children and their parents. The position has supervisory/managerial responsibilities.

Pay is commensurate with experience with a minimum annualized salary of $63,804.

There are three openings, in multiple age groups.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily operations of the assigned classroom, ensuring high-quality and consistent childcare services.
• Provide and coordinate direct care for children, including diapering/toileting, feeding, and comforting, while addressing their physical, cognitive, and emotional needs.
• Serve as a leader within the classroom, House Child Care Center, and CAO team, overseeing all aspects of classroom operations.
• Train, coach, and mentor staff by providing necessary tools, resources, and guidance.
• Ensure compliance with child-to-staff ratios and always maintain active supervision.
• Monitor and accommodate special health and dietary needs, prioritizing children's health and safety.
• Develop, implement, and document a developmentally appropriate, child-centered curriculum and assessments.
• Plan and conduct Parent-Teacher Conferences, orientation sessions, and other parent meetings as needed.
• Support children and families through key transitions, including enrollment, withdrawal, daily drop-off/pick-up, and activity changes throughout the day.
• Stay informed of and comply with all applicable policies, regulations, and best practices set by the House, Committee, CAO, and House Child Care Center.
• Foster a respectful and inclusive environment by treating all children, families, and staff with dignity and recognizing individual differences.
• Communicate effectively and professionally, both verbally and in writing, while maintaining confidentiality.
• Contribute to service improvements by actively participating in meetings and sharing ideas.
• Model high-quality work, demonstrating continuous self-reflection and professional growth.
• Lead regular classroom team meetings and manage staff schedules efficiently.
• Conduct daily child health and safety checks to ensure a secure environment.
• Maintain accurate and organized records, logs, and confidential data.
• Create and update classroom handbooks, child portfolios, and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Classroom Portfolios.
• Implement appropriate and developmentally suitable behavior management strategies.
• Pursue ongoing professional development and demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning.
• Address and resolve staff conflicts professionally and handle disciplinary actions as necessary.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• USAJobs Conditions of Employment

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field required; Bachelor’s degree preferred. If candidate’s major is not Early Childhood Education, individual must have at least 36 credits in ECE or related discipline.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience working with young children and their families in an early childhood setting.
• Previous leadership experience preferred.
• Experienced in developing age-appropriate lesson plans aligned with a play-based curriculum.

Knowledge, Skill, and Ability (KSA) and Competency Requirements: 

• Knowledge of child development and learning environments; ability to understand the developmental progress and identify the needs of all applicable children.
• Ability to understand and apply childcare educational research, standards, and/or best practices.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply principles and best practices related to classroom control, behavior management, behavioral observation, teaching practices, and instructional methodologies.
• Skill in curriculum development and lesson planning.
• Knowledge of and ability to use relevant learning management platforms and tools.
• Knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations related to childcare.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with children and their families.
• Ability to always maintain composure.
• Skills in facilitation, documentation, and record management.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with tact and ensure data protection and confidentiality.
• Knowledge of allergies and dietary restrictions
• Knowledge of sanitation guidelines and health and safety laws, regulations, policies, and standards.
• Ability to analyze problems and recommend appropriate solutions/changes.
• Ability to communicate difficult or unpopular guidance or direction, while maintaining a positive relationship with management and staff.
• All employees within CAO are expected to demonstrate the following general competencies: Accountability, Adaptability, Collaboration, Communication, Customer Orientation, Knowledge of Relevant Policies, Procedures, Processes, Priority Management, and Problem Resolution.
• All employees in leadership positions within CAO are expected to demonstrate the following leadership competencies: Coalition Building, Decision-Making, Leading People, Results Orientation, and Strategic Planning.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

This position is in a school setting that is adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated. Normal safety precautions apply. The work involves light physical activity and may include moderate physical activity, such as moving furniture and equipment, lifting and moving children, pushing cribs/carts/strollers, and participating in planned physical exercises with children (e.g., jumping, dancing, running). The incumbent must be able to meet minimum physical requirements and work environment demands.

Security Requirements:

• Must successfully complete criminal history records check.
• Employees may be subject to drug testing in accordance with the CAO Drug Free Workplace Plan.
• Must successfully complete a Public Trust investigation with a Child Registry check.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated using a structured interview process.