Preschool Teacher Lead (FT) - Brooklyn Park Nature Preschool - Recreation and Parks Department



Preschool Teacher Lead (FT) - Brooklyn Park Nature Preschool - Recreation and Parks Department

Salary

$49,608.00 - $63,731.20 Annually

Location

Brooklyn Park, MN

Job Type

Regular Full-Time Benefited (40 Hours)

Job Number

2022-00014-JG

Department

Recreation & Parks

Opening Date

02/02/2022

Closing Date

3/21/2022 12:00 AM Central

Position Summary

Brooklyn Park Recreation and Parks is seeking a teacher to join the preschool teaching team. Brooklyn Park Nature Preschool is a licensed, accredited preschool for children ages 3-5 years old that operates in indoor and outdoor classroom areas at the Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center.
 
Each class has a maximum of 20 students with three lead teachers. Students are prepared for kindergarten through child-led and hands-on learning experiences where children can ask questions, explore materials, and discover answers and solutions.  The teaching staff have big goals for the students – they want them to be life-long learners, creative problem solvers, caretakers of the earth, and exceptional team players.  A typical day at Brooklyn Park Nature Preschool includes time in both the indoor and outdoor classrooms. Using the nature-based curriculum, staff and students spend a significant amount of time outside each day in large and small groups learning and exploring with nature. The outdoor classroom is utilized in all seasons and weather conditions. The indoor classroom is a welcoming environment using items made from natural materials as much as possible.  
 
The curriculum is formatted using Creative Curriculum and inquiry-based learning, blending best practice standards from both early childhood education and environmental education. The teachers receive training in both areas. Lessons are planned collaboratively within 6-week studies using a whole-child approach.  Lessons are focused on the individual needs and interests of students to ensure that they are engaged and making progress in their learning.
 
This Teacher will work under the general supervision of the Recreation Supervisor.

Application Deadline:  Recruitment will continue until a sufficient number of qualified applications are received as determined by Human Resources. First review of applications will be on March 14, 2022.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Lead the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of preschool-aged children 
  • Participate in curriculum planning and lead lesson planning and daily teaching
  • Participate in assessment and documentation of student progress
  • Participate in preparation for and implementation of conferences, report cards, and other parent communications
  • Participate in classroom and behavior management
  • Participate in the daily set-up and organization of the classroom before children arrive 
  • Ensure required materials are out and readily available for the daily lesson 
  • Available and positioned in the class to help facilitate all activities and projects
  • Attend in-service training each year
  • Maintain all standards and requirements stipulated by the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment 
  • Lead preschool programs in the summer months 
  • Assist Recreation Supervisor in preparing classroom materials for beginning of school year 
  • Other duties as apparent or assigned  

Minimum and Desired Qualifications

Education
High school degree or equivalent

Experience

  • At least 1 year of previous experience working with preschool-aged children as an assistant teacher, lead teacher, or teaching naturalist
  • 21 years of age or older 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Must possess a genuine concern and interest in all children and their needs and be able to work in a child-oriented atmosphere
  • Must possess the ability to interact with participants and parents in a responsible and professional manner and respond to concerns with tact and courtesy
  • Ability to maturely and appropriately respond to any emergency or incident that may arise
  • Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision
  • Meets criteria as outlined by DHS Rule 9503.0032 
  • Ability to relate to and work effectively with people from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds
  • Ability to provide a level of customer service that meets/exceeds customer expectations
  • Embrace and engage in Continuous Improvement efforts
Desired Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, education, environmental education, or related field
  • Coursework and experience in environmental science, nature education, or outdoor education  
  • Experience with Creative Curriculum and/or Inquiry-based learning
  • Passion for nature and the outdoors and a desire to use nature as an educational tool
  • Previous experience working with children with special needs
  • Current certification in Child CPR and First Aid 
  • Experience working or living in Brooklyn Park
  • Demonstrated commitment to furthering racial equity, diversity and inclusion
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people from various cultural, socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds
  • Fluency in Spanish, Hmong, Russian, Somali, Laotian or Vietnamese language(s)
Equivalency
An equivalent combination of education and experience closely related to the duties of the position MAY be considered.

Background Check
The City has determined that a criminal background check and/or qualifications check are necessary for this job title. Applicants are required to sign an informed consent form allowing the City to obtain their criminal history and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.

Selection Process
The selection process will consist of one or more of the following steps: a rating of relevant education and experience and/or an oral examination (100%). It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will be used to determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions.  Only those candidates who attain a passing score (70%) on each step in the selection process will be placed on the eligible list. Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number in any phase of the selection process.

About Brooklyn Park
Brooklyn Park is a thriving northwestern suburb of Minneapolis and the sixth largest city in the state with over 86,000 residents and 30,000 jobs. As the 11th fastest growing city in Minnesota, the city has become even more vibrant because of our remarkable racial and cultural diversity. Fifty-four percent of residents are people of color, 22 percent are foreign-born, and more than a quarter speak a language other than English at home. 
Our Vision, Values and Goals  
 

Additional Information

Department/Division: Recreation and Parks Department/ Brooklyn Park Nature Preschool

Anticipated Work Schedule: This is a Full Time, benefited position that will work 40 hours per week, year round.  Work shifts will fall within 8:00am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday during the school year. A compressed work week is available in the summer months.  There will be scheduled meetings, trainings, and other work events throughout the school year where attendance is mandatory.
 
Anticipated Start Date:  Start date is available in March 2022 or in summer 2022 in preparation for the 2022-23 school year.

Anticipated Hiring Wage $23.85-30.64 per hour

We welcome applications from all individuals, including (but not limited to): people of all abilities, persons of color, Veterans, LGBTQ+ and women.  If you need these materials in an alternate format or if you have a disability-related need and need assistance with the application process, please contact Janis Lajon at either 763-493-8016 or via e-mail at Janis.lajon@brooklynpark.org. 
 
 

Regular, full-time City of Brooklyn Park employees (30 or more hours per week) are eligible for a benefits package including:
           
Vacation
  • New employees generally earn 10 days of vacation per year
  • Vacation accruals increase with longevity up to a maximum of 20 days per year
Sick Leave 
  • Sick leave is accrued at the rate of 8 hours per month with unlimited accumulation
Holidays
  • 12 paid holidays per year
Health Insurance:
  • Employees may choose between two health plans with an option to waive if covered under another qualified plan
  • The City contributes to the cost of health insurance
Dental Insurance
  • Employees may choose between two dental plans with an option to waive if covered under another qualified plan
Life Insurance
  • The City provides term life insurance with an option for employees to purchase additional voluntary and dependent term life insurance at group rates
Disability Insurance
  • Long-term disability insurance available at group rates
 Retirement
  •  Public Employee's Retirement Association (PERA) pension plan (employer/employee contributions
  • Optional 457 deferred compensation plans for tax-deferred retirement savings
Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA)
  • Reimbursement account for health care and daycare expenses using pre-tax contributions
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Employee Assistance Program provides confidential counseling and referral services
Fitness
  • Free on-site fitness facilities; Wellness program and fitness classes offered
Direct Deposit (mandatory)
  • Payroll checks are automatically deposited into designated account(s) on payday
Regular, part-time benefited City of Brooklyn Park employees (20-29 hours per week) are not eligible for Health Insurance, but are eligible for the following benefits:
  • Sick and Vacation at a pro-rated rate
  • PERA Life
  • Flexible Spending
  • Deferred Comp, if enrolled.   
Benefits may differ based on union contracts for employees represented by a collective bargaining unit. This summary is for information only and is subject to change or revocation without notice. This summary shall not constitute a contract or guarantee, express or implied.


 

01
Are you 21 years of age or older?
  • Yes
  • No
02
Which level best describes your experience working with preschool-aged children as an assistant teacher, lead teacher, or teaching naturalist?
  • No experience
  • Less than 1 year experience
  • 1 year to less than 2 years
  • 2 years to less than 3 years
  • 3 years to less than 4 years
  • 4 years to less than 5 years
  • 5 years to less than 6 years
  • 6 years to less than 7 years
  • 8 years to less than 9 years
  • 9 years to less than 10 years
  • 10 or more years
03
Which best describes your highest level of education in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, Environmental Education or a related field?
  • No high school diploma or equivalent
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Associate's degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Master's degree
  • PhD/Doctorate
  • Unrelated degree
04
Do you meet the criteria as outlined in DHS Rule 9503.0032 (Minnesota Administrative Rules)?
  • Yes, I meet the criteria outlined in DHS Rule 9503.0032
  • No, I do not meet the criteria outlined in DHS Rule 9503.0032
  • Not sure if I meet the criteria outlined in DHS Rule 9503.0032
05
Please describe how you meet the DHS Rule 9503.0032 teacher qualifications.
06
Please describe coursework, training or experience you have in nature education, environmental science or outdoor education.
07
Please describe any coursework, training, or experience you have with adaptive and inclusive teaching.
08
Please describe your experience with creative curriculum and inquiry based learning.
09
Which level best describes your experience working with people from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds?
  • No Experience
  • Less than 1 year experience
  • 1 year to less than 2 years
  • 2 years to less than 3 years
  • 3 years to less than 4 years
  • 4 years to less than 5 years
  • 5 years or more
10
What is your connection with the City of Brooklyn Park?
  • Current Brooklyn Park Resident
  • Active Member of Community Group in Brooklyn Park
  • Currently enrolled in school in Brooklyn Park
  • BrookLynk alumni
  • None apply
  • Other
11
If you listed other, please explain your connection to Brooklyn Park.
12
Are you able to fluently speak, write, and understand any of the following languages? (Check all that apply)
  • Spanish
  • Hmong
  • Russian
  • Somali
  • Vietnamese
  • Laotian
  • None of the Above
13
Which veteran's preference points, if any, are you claiming?
  • Not claiming veteran's preference
  • Veteran's preference
  • Disabled veteran's preference
  • Spouse of a deceased veteran
  • Spouse of a disabled veteran

Required Question

Agency
City of Brooklyn Park
Address
5200 85th Avenue N

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, 55443
Phone
763-493-8016