Substitute Teacher

About the role

Position: Substitute Teacher

Reports to: Site/Area Manager

Department: Children Family & Services

Pay Rate: $24 per hour
Position Type: Part-Time/Full time, Temporary (expected end date: 6/30/2027)

Notes:flexible schedules based on program needs, with a minimum availability of 8 hours per week and the potential to work up to 40 hours per week


The Substitute Teacher provides temporary classroom coverage across Community Action Marin’s center-based programs to support continuity of care, supervision, and learning when regularly assigned classroom staff are unavailable or additional staffing support is needed. The Substitute Teacher may be assigned to different classrooms, age groups, and CAM sites based on program and staffing needs.

Under the supervision of the Site/Area Manager, the Substitute Teacher assumes assigned classroom responsibilities and follows established lesson plans, classroom routines, schedules, individual child needs, and program procedures. The Substitute Teacher is responsible for maintaining a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment while providing active supervision, positive child engagement, and consistent implementation of established classroom practices.

This position requires flexibility, dependability, and the ability to transition effectively between classroom environments while maintaining continuity for children and families. Substitute Teachers are expected to remain familiar with CAM policies, Community Care Licensing requirements, health and safety procedures, and classroom expectations.

Essential Duties
Active Supervision & Child Safety

• Always maintain active supervision of children in accordance with Community Care Licensing requirements, CAM policies, and established program procedures.
• Maintain awareness of the location and activities of assigned children and follow established child supervision and accountability procedures.
• Support the safety and well-being of children during classroom activities, meals, transitions, rest periods, outdoor play, and other program activities.
• Promptly identify, respond to, document, and report injuries, incidents, safety concerns, unusual behaviors, or environmental hazards in accordance with CAM procedures.
• Follow all established health, sanitation, hygiene, infection-prevention, and emergency procedures.
• Review and follow classroom-specific health, safety, allergy, medical, behavioral, and other child-specific instructions as appropriate to the assignment.
• Fulfill responsibilities as a Mandated Reporter in accordance with California law and CAM policies and procedures.

Classroom Instruction & Program Continuity

• Assume assigned classroom responsibilities during the absence of regularly assigned teaching staff or when additional classroom coverage is required.
• Follow and implement established lesson plans, classroom schedules, routines, activities, and transitions to maintain consistency and continuity for children.
• Facilitate developmentally appropriate individual, small-group, and whole-group learning experiences as assigned.
• Support children's participation in educational, recreational, social-emotional, and classroom activities throughout the program day.
• Use established positive guidance and classroom management strategies consistent with CAM policies and classroom expectations.
• Maintain established classroom routines and expectations while adapting appropriately to the needs of the children and classroom.
• Prepare, organize, distribute, and clean classroom materials, learning areas, supplies, and activity spaces.
• Complete required classroom documentation, including attendance, sign-in/sign-out records, incident documentation, and other assigned records.
• Communicate significant classroom information, incidents, concerns, and follow-up needs to the Site/Area Manager and appropriate teaching staff at the conclusion of the assignment.

Positive Child Engagement

• Develop warm, respectful, and responsive relationships with children, including during short-term classroom assignments.
• Engage children in positive, age-appropriate interactions and learning experiences throughout the program day.
• Encourage children to communicate their needs and emotions appropriately and reinforce positive behavior and classroom expectations.
• Use positive guidance techniques consistent with CAM policies and established classroom practices.
• Promote an inclusive classroom environment that respects individual differences, cultures, abilities, identities, languages, and family backgrounds.
• Support the participation and inclusion of children with varying abilities and identified needs in accordance with established plans and staff guidance.

Family Relationships & Communication

• Greet and interact with children and families in a welcoming, professional, and respectful manner.
• Maintain continuity in established family communication practices while working within the scope of the substitute assignment.
• Communicate routine information appropriately and refer questions, concerns, or matters requiring follow-up to the Site/Area Manager or regularly assigned teaching staff.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality regarding children, families, employees, and program information.

Meal Service & CACFP Support

• Assist with meal and snack preparation, service, clean-up, and food-safety routines in accordance with CAM procedures and applicable CACFP requirements.
• Accurately document meal counts at the point of service, as assigned, and submit required records in accordance with program procedures.
• Support CACFP-related recordkeeping, meal service, sanitation, and compliance activities within the scope of the position.
• Model and reinforce appropriate mealtime routines and practices with children.

Substitute Coverage & Flexibility

• Maintain the minimum availability required for participation in CAM's substitute pool.
• Respond to scheduling and placement communications within established timelines.
• Report to assigned CAM sites and classrooms as scheduled and arrive prepared to assume classroom responsibilities.
• Adapt effectively to different classrooms, age groups, teaching teams, schedules, and program environments.
• Review available classroom instructions, schedules, lesson plans, emergency information, and child-specific information at the beginning of each assignment.
• Integrate effectively into established classroom teams while respecting existing classroom routines and practices.
• Accept assignments across CAM center-based sites based on program needs and employee availability.
• Communicate promptly when unable to fulfill an accepted assignment.
• Maintain reliable attendance and honor accepted substitute assignments except in cases of illness, emergency, or other approved circumstances.

Team Collaboration & Professionalism

• Work collaboratively with teachers, classroom staff, Site/Area Managers, substitutes, volunteers, and other program staff to maintain effective classroom operations.
• Seek guidance from the Site/Area Manager or designated classroom staff when classroom expectations, procedures, or child-specific needs are unclear.
• Participate in required meetings, trainings, professional development, and program activities.
• Follow CAM policies and procedures, licensing requirements, confidentiality standards, health and safety requirements, and established program practices.
• Demonstrate professional judgment, flexibility, respectful communication, teamwork, and appropriate workplace conduct.

Qualifications

Education:

·High school diploma or equivalent (GED) required in accordance with Community Action Marin employment standards.

·Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Child Development coursework or units are preferred but not required.

·Candidates currently pursuing coursework or a degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, or a related field are encouraged to apply.

Experience:

·Prior experience working with children in a school, childcare, recreation, camp, after-school, community-based, or similar setting is preferred but not required.

·Experience supporting or leading classroom activities and routines is preferred.