Job Opportunities at SouthSide—Jefferson
SouthSide Early Childhood Center
2101 S. Jefferson Ave St. Louis, MO 63104
The following job opportunities are currently open at SouthSide Early Childhood Center. Please fill out the form below to submit your resume. Thank you!
Early Intervention Manager
The Early Intervention Manager provides leadership and oversight for the agency's developmental services, inclusion, mental health and intervention support systems to ensure high-quality, family-centered services across all program sites. This position ensures children with developmental concerns, delays, disabilities, or behavioral challenges are identified early, connected to appropriate services, and supported through coordinated partnerships with families, educators, therapists, and community providers. The Manager oversees all developmental screening processes, supervises the Early Intervention Specialist team and the Mental Health Coordinator, manages Mental Health Board (MHB) grant deliverables, and serves as the primary liaison with community intervention providers, including First Steps and local school districts. The role supports both SouthSide's Jefferson campus and SouthSide at KIPP Wonder Academy.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership & Supervision
Supervise, coach, and evaluate the Early Intervention Specialist (EIS) team and the Mental Health Coordinator.
Provide ongoing training and support related to child development, inclusion, disabilities, behavior support, and intervention practices.
Establish systems and procedures to ensure consistent service delivery across all sites.
Collaborate with Program Directors and leadership to support inclusive classroom environments.
Developmental Screening & Child Support
Oversee all developmental, behavioral, and social-emotional screening processes, including ASQ-3 and ASQ:SE.
Ensure children with developmental concerns are identified, screened, referred, and connected to services in a timely manner.
Monitor referral outcomes and service implementation to ensure continuity of support.
Conduct classroom observations and provide recommendations as needed.
Develop and monitor CARE Team plans and individualized behavior support plans in collaboration with Program Directors and teaching staff.
Ensure accurate documentation of screenings, referrals, IFSPs, IEPs, and related child records in ChildPlus.
Family & Community Partnerships
Serve as the primary point of contact for families regarding developmental concerns, referrals, evaluations, and intervention services.
Obtain and maintain required parent consents and documentation.
Support families in navigating First Steps, local school districts, and other itinerate services.
Coordinate interpretation and translation supports as needed.
Maintain strong partnerships with therapists, evaluators, and community providers.
Program & Grant Management
Oversee DDR, Mental Health Board (MHB), Lutheran and any other mental health program implementation, reporting, and deliverables.
Monitor program outcomes and ensure compliance with grant requirements.
Track service utilization, referral timelines, and developmental outcomes.
Analyze developmental screenings, referrals and service outcome data to identify trends, inform program improvement efforts, and support strategic planning.
Prepare reports and data requested by leadership, funders, and regulatory agencies.
Stay informed on available developmental, behavioral health, and inclusion resources to support children and families.
Maintain confidentiality of child and family information in accordance with agency policies.
Coordinate transitions for children moving from First Steps to school district services, and from preschool into kindergarten, ensuring continuity of support.
Collaboration & Advocacy
Lead and coordinate CARE Team meetings and multidisciplinary planning processes.
Attend First Steps, IEP/IFSP meetings, and other child-specific meetings as needed.
Partner with teachers and administrators to promote inclusive practices and school readiness outcomes.
Advocate for children and families to ensure equitable access to developmental and intervention services.
Remain current on best practices, research and regulations related to child development, early intervention, inclusion, and infant/early childhood mental health.
All other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Social Work, Child Development, Psychology, or a related field.
Minimum three years of experience in early intervention, special education, developmental services, or a related field.
Experience supervising staff and managing programs.
Knowledge of developmental screening tools, referral systems, IFSPs, IEPs, and inclusive practices.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data management systems
Strong organizational, communication, and relationship-building skills.
Preferred
Master's degree in a related field.
Experience with Head Start/Early Head Start programs.
Experience managing grant-funded programs and reporting requirements.
Knowledge of Missouri First Steps, and community-based intervention systems.
Teaching Positions:
SouthSide Early Childhood Center is seeking a caring, dependable, and enthusiastic teachers to join our early learning team. If you are passionate about early childhood education and enjoy creating a nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment, we would love to meet you!
2 year-Old Lead Teacher
The Lead Two-Year-Old Teacher is responsible for planning, implementing, and managing a safe, stimulating, and developmentally appropriate classroom for young children. This role supports children's social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development while fostering strong partnerships with families and mentoring classroom support staff.
part-time Classroom Floater + extended day teachers
Floating Teachers play a vital role in creating safe, loving, and developmentally rich classrooms across the center. This position supports multiple age groups and partners with Lead and Assistant Teachers to ensure each child experiences consistent care, meaningful interactions, and engaging, play-based learning. Floating Teachers help build strong relationships with children and families while supporting classrooms in meeting licensing requirements, Missouri Accreditation standards, and Head Start Performance Standards.
Key Responsibilities (All teaching/floater positions):
Engage actively with children to ensure their safety, well-being, and learning.
Instruct and supervise children in classroom activities and daily routines.
Implement age-appropriate activities that support developmental goals and learning outcomes.
Utilize the Creative Curriculum, Conscious Discipline, and Anti-Bias Education frameworks in daily interactions and classroom management.
Maintain consistent active supervision, positioning oneself to meet children's personal needs and ensure safety at all times.
Build and maintain positive, supportive relationships with children, families, and team members.
Participate actively in team meetings, committees, and family/community events.
Maintain a clean and organized classroom; sanitize surfaces, equipment, and materials regularly.
Demonstrate flexibility and a positive outlook each day.
Uphold ethical behavior and maintain confidentiality regarding student and staff information.
Other duties as assigned.
Additional Responsibilities (Lead and Assistant Teachers):
Collaborate in lesson planning and implement daily classroom activities aligned with individual child goals.
Qualifications:
One of the following (depending on position):
Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or a state-awarded certificate that meets or exceeds CDA requirements.
Enrollment in a program leading to a degree or CDA credential to be completed within two years of hire.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Basic computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and Microsoft Teams.
Ability to pass an extensive background check and be fingerprinted.
Professional Requirements:
Completion of at least 18 clock hours of early childhood education training annually.
A commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.
Physical Requirements:
Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
Frequent climbing, walking, bending, stretching, and sitting on the floor with children.
Willingness to work in environments with exposure to childhood illnesses and varying weather conditions.