Fresno EOC Head Start 0 to 5 hosting job fair Saturday to fill dozens positions

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Those interested in working with young children will have an opportunity to start or grow a career in early childhood education this weekend, as Fresno EOC Head Start Zero to Five hosts a job fair to fill dozens of open positions.

The early learning program, which serves children from zero to age 5, is seeking applicants for a wide range of roles across its home-based and center-based programs.

"So we have anything from inclusion assistance, teacher assistance, site supervisor, center directors, teachers, teacher caregivers for our Early Head Start children as well as family service assistants," said Early Childhood Education Coordinator Ralph Carrillo.

Carrillo said the organization currently has about 60 positions to fill, driven by retirements and staff members advancing into new roles after gaining additional education.

"Over the course of the last several years, we've seen numerous staff start to retire out, as well as individuals such as teachers just gaining additional education and self promoting into other positions," he said.

The job fair is scheduled for Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at 1920 Mariposa St. in Downtown Fresno. On-site interviews will be conducted, and applicants are encouraged to bring a current résumé, college transcripts, a degree if applicable, and letters of recommendation.

Minimum qualifications include a high school diploma and at least 12 college credits in child development. Carrillo said Head Start offers opportunities for long-term career growth.

"Like myself as well, many of my colleagues, we all started as teacher assistants or teachers, and we've just gone through the steps to positions of now, specialists, coordinators as well as managers and directors within Head Start," he said.

Beyond professional development, Carrillo said employees value the supportive work environment.

"We really are very family-oriented based, you know what I mean, not only with the families that we're serving, but also just with the colleagues here at work," he said. "We really have become a family here and really enjoy doing what we do for our children and families in the community."

Conditional job offers will be made at the job fair, and most new hires are expected to begin onboarding within two to four weeks.

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