Employment Opportunities​

Craven Smart Start, Inc. has the following opportunities listed below:

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​Story Cub Teacher  (click on the name to skip to the description)

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Raising a Reader Coordinator

 

Job Description:

The Raising A Reader (RAR) Coordinator is responsible for implementation and oversight of the RAR program for Craven County. RAR is an evidence-based program that assists parents in learning strategies to enhance shared reading routines, social-emotional learning, healthy relationships, and school success and beyond. Implementation consists of children receiving a Red Book Bag each week filled with high quality books to take home. Through this program, the RAR Coordinator and classroom teachers will encourage parents to increase their child’s literacy skills by modeling through shared reading within the classroom environment.

 

Work Schedule: Full-time

 

Supervisor:

Reports to the Executive Director. The Executive Director will provide monthly supervision meetings, a Performance Evaluation after the first three months of probationary employment and an annual Performance Evaluation.

 

Responsibilities:

• Attend the RAR National Coordinator Training prior to initial implementation.

• Assist in the annual application process to recruit and select child care programs that may be eligible to participate in the program.

• Plans, coordinates, and facilitates trainings for RAR site implementers.

• The RAR Coordinator and the site implementers will record the book bags children receive and document the return of book bags weekly.

• Plans, coordinates, and facilitates parenting trainings and workshops on the importance of literacy and learning book sharing strategies, to include a library event.

• Prepare reports for monitoring and data collection.

• Prepares and maintains quarterly reports in accordance with Smart Start requirements.

• Collects, enters, and updates database information collected related to the RAR National program.

• Any other duties as directed by the Executive Director that support the mission of the agency.  

 

Other Responsibilities, Story Cubs: 

• Story Cub groups meet twice weekly (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00AM – 11:30AM)

• Ages two to three years old meet on Tuesdays and ages four year Pre-K meet on Thursdays. 

• Literacy Coordinator is responsible for lesson plans (incorporate STEAM activities themed with story book) to be used during Story Cubs.

• Summer session (dependent upon funding): Meet one time weekly for 6 weeks one and include Summer Story Cubs Enrichment Field Trips.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

•  Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or related field.

• 3 years’ experience in programs serving young children and families with prior experience in program evaluation, data analysis, and training.

• Working knowledge of statistical and data-based programs

• Ability to present information effectively (writing and orally), and to communicate and collaborate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.

 

SALARY

Salary range based on experience.

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To apply: Please send resume and cover letter to Cassandra Bennett, Executive Director at cbennett@cravensmartstart.org or Craven Smart Start, 2111 F Neuse Blvd. New Bern, NC. 28560. 

 

 

Story Cub Teacher

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Craven Smart Start is seeking a teacher for our Story Cubs program for ages 2-4.  The position is part time beginning as soon as possible.  The yearly calendar begins October – May and will continue into the summer beginning June through mid-July (6 weeks).  The position is available immediately and resumes are now being accepted via email sent to the executive director, Cassandra Bennett at cbennett@cravensmartstart.org. Questions should be directed to Debbie@cravensmartstart.org.

 

Job Description:

• Participate in two mandatory training courses with the Raising a Reader (RAR) Coordinator

• Lead a shared reading using a Raising a Reader book during each class (two classes each week)

• Demonstrate literacy parts of a book during each shared reading (Title, Author, Illustrator, etc.)

• Plan and set up activities to correspond with the RAR book that was shared

• Complete check-in process

  1. Visibly check-in red book bags by inspecting each bag for correct number of books and each book for damage

  2. Complete tracking log by listing the return date for each book bag

• Complete the check-out process

  1. Select a new bag for each child and complete the tracking log by writing bag number and date on form

  2. Rotate cards in pocket chart to appropriate number corresponding with new bag number

• Manage classroom (Lending Library) during free play modeling how to engage children in activities

• Interact/communicate with families answering questions about the Story Cubs program, interactive reading, Smart Start, etc.

• Clean up activities and Lending Library centers including sanitizing tables

• Collaborate with the literacy team to provide at least two parent workshops and a library event as required to meet model fidelity

Skills, Requirements, Training

• Attend Mandatory RAR Implementor Training and Refresher Training

• Knowledgeable of early childhood education

• Knowledgeable in lesson planning and classroom arrangement

• CPR/First Aid certified (can be done by Smart Start trainer)

• Minimum education is an associate certificate in early childhood education and/or childcare experience and coursework

 

Important Information

• Applications for the Story Cub program are taken for the school year beginning August 1st of each year, and applications for the Summer Cubs Program are taken beginning May 1st of each year.  The Story Cub teacher (this position) will be communicating with parents and handling these applications.  Students are taken on a first come first serve basis as space is limited for both programs.  The application for the Story Cub program can be found on our website at www.cravensmartstart.org and click on the tab for Raising a Reader.

 

Schedule for Story Cub Program

**Classroom should be set up by 9:00 am**

• 9:30-10:00 am: Families arrive, sign in, and place red bags in designated area.  They proceed to play in the Lending Library.  Teacher checks in red bags and socializes with participants.

• 10:00 am: Teacher shares RAR story while demonstrating key literacy techniques.

• 10:15-10:45 am: Teacher demonstrates and engages participants in activity that corresponds to the story

• 10:45-11:00 am: Teacher completes the check-out process for red bags

• 11:00 am: Teacher begins cleaning up

 

The teacher will work from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm three days per week allowing for planning, set up, and clean up.  Lessons are designed by the teacher and approved through the RAR Coordinator who is the direct supervisor and trainer.