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 800 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 day to day supervisory/managerial responsibilities.

Pay is commensurate with experience with a minimum annualized salary of $64,442.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities

• Maintains responsibility for the day-to-day delivery of child care services in assigned classroom; ensures quality and continuity of care at all times. Provides and coordinates care for children including changing diapers/toileting, feeding, and comforting; ensures all children’s physical, cognitive, and emotional needs are met.
• Serves as a leader in the classroom, House Child Care Center, and CAO team. Coordinates and oversees all aspects of classroom operation. Trains, coaches, and mentors staff; provides tools and resources.
• Maintains child to staff ratios; provides active supervision of children at all times.
• Utilizes universal precautions and brings to Directors’ attention any relevant information or issues concerning or related to staff, children, and/or families.
• Maintains awareness of all special health and dietary needs, monitors and responds appropriately to illness, injury, and other emergency situations. Follows cleaning and sanitation guidelines.
• Leads efforts to promote awareness of healthy practices.
• Coordinates and oversees developmentally appropriate, child-centered curriculum and assessment planning, implementation, and documentation. Prepares for and holds Parent-Teacher Conferences, orientation meetings, and other parent meetings as needed.
• Supports children and families through transitions including enrollment and withdrawal, between classrooms, to and from home each day, and between activities throughout the day.
• Develops familiarity and maintains compliance with all applicable legal requirements including House, Committee, CAO, and House Child Care Center rules, practices, policies, and procedures.
• Treats all children, families, and staff with dignity and respect, allowing for individual differences.
• Communicates effectively and professionally both orally and in writing; maintains confidentiality.
• Holds regular classroom team meetings and manages work-time schedules
• Conducts daily child health and safety checks.
• Works with junior personnel to foster a positive learning environment for assigned classroom(s).
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of early childhood development and learning principles and best practices
• Maintains accurate records and logs in a timely and organized fashion.
• Creates and updates classroom handbooks, child portfolios, and NAEYC Classroom Portfolio.
• Uses materials and resources effectively; informs administration of unusual problems and unanticipated constraints of resource requirements.
• Utilizes developmentally and situationally appropriate behavior management techniques.
• Participates in special limited term and long-term projects and initiatives; participates in after action reviews and provides feedback as appropriate.
• Appropriately addresses employee conflicts and disciplinary actions.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• USAJobs Conditions of Employment

Qualifications

Qualifications

 Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field required; 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Previous leadership experience preferred.

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.

*Continued employment is contingent upon satisfactorily completing a criminal history records check (or other applicable security clearance) and a pre-employment drug-test (pre-identified position only).

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.