Teacher - Early Head Start

Position Function

This position is responsible for an Early Head Start classroom. The EHS teacher will attend to the children’s safety and welfare while collaborating with family members and other staff to achieve positive outcomes for children of all abilities.

Salary Grade: 10

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile

Throughout its history, Mississippi State University-Extension (MSU-ES) has demonstrated a deep and abiding commitment to programs that directly impact young children and their families. In the past decade, MSU-ES has distinguished itself as Mississippi’s premier infrastructural support of high-quality early childhood education.

Area of Specialization

MSU-Extension Head Start Programs - Hancock County

Anticipated Appointment Date

October 2025.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following examples are intended as illustrations only of the various types of duties assigned to this position. The absence of specific statements of duties does not exclude those tasks from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment of the position.

• Demonstrate a warm, calm, and unhurried manner while serving as a positive role model for children and families.
• Provide individualized education, care, safety, and well-being for all infants/toddlers in the class.
• Meet each child’s social, emotional, physical, and developmental needs through nurturing interactions and planning.
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate learning activities using the Integrated Approach, incorporating Head Start content areas of health, nutrition, and parent involvement.
• Prepare and arrange the physical environment and child development materials to meet the changing needs of infants and toddlers.
• Serve as the primary provider for a small group of children, ensuring consistent and responsive caregiving.
• Observe children daily for safety and assessment purposes, maintaining accurate child assessment records and documentation.
• Provide individualized plans for each child to support growth and development, including children with special needs.
• Schedule and conduct at least three home visits and two parent-teacher conferences per year, documenting all meetings appropriately.
• Establish and maintain ongoing communication with families to strengthen family engagement and partnerships.
• Supervise and guide children during mealtime, toileting/diapering, handwashing, rest periods, and play activities, promoting healthy routines and independence.
• Model exemplary classroom practices consistent with the Teacher Success Rubric and CLASS, mentoring assistants, new staff, and volunteers.
• Maintain a safe, clean, sanitary, and pleasant classroom environment that supports child development.
• Participate actively in planning, assessment, evaluation of program content, and development of classroom resources.
• Attend staff meetings, in-service training, and professional development workshops to stay current on best practices in early childhood and Head Start standards.
• Adhere to all MSU Extension Head Start Program and University personnel policies, as well as MS Child Care Licensing Standards and Early Head Start Performance Standards.
• Report concerns regarding child development, classroom management, or family needs.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to ensure high-quality services for children and families.

Teacher Success Rubric:

• CLASS teacher-child interactions
• Learning environment
• Curriculum
• Child assessment
• Meeting all children’s needs
• Working with families
• Professional growth and collaboration

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• AA/AS in Early Childhood Education or related field.

Substitution:

• An equivalent combination of related education and related experience may be considered for this position.

Licensures:

• Valid driver’s license
• Certification in CPR and First Aid – Will be required to obtain within the first nine (9) months of employment. Certification must be maintained.

Preferred Qualifications

• BA/BS in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or related field, or state awarded preschool teacher certification with experience teaching preschool-aged children, or BA/BS in related field with at least six college courses in Early Childhood Education plus experience teaching young children.
• Experience teaching preschool children including group experience with children four

years and younger.

• Certification in CLASS

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Current understanding of MS Child Care Licensing requirements
• Current understanding of Head Start Performance Standards
• Able to anticipate the needs of children
• Must be able to organize and execute daily activities
• Works well with other staff
• Intermediate computer literacy skills in email, Microsoft Office

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• Subject to background check and finger printing as required by the State Department of Health/Child Care Licensure Standards for staff.
• A physical exam is required for this position.
• Travel required locally or long-distance up to 10% of the time for work-related meetings

and other functions.

• Able to lift a child weighing 40 pounds, 20 times a day if needed.
• This position will be inside and outside supervising children as weather permits as well as monitoring.
• Due to the primary work with young children, some exposure to communicable disease is likely.
• Moderate to loud noise levels.

Instructions for Applying

Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

All applicants MUST apply online at www.jobs.msstate.edu to be considered for this position.

The following documents and information are required for application:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Contact information for at least three professional references
• Current unofficial transcript (with social security numbers removed prior to submission)

An official transcript will be required if selected for employment.

Screening Date

October 2, 2025, until filled.

Restricted Clause

Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.