Associate Teacher (Early Childhood Program Specialist 2) Preschool - Head Start

Location:Spokane Colleges Head Start Administrative Services Spokane

Department:District HS/EHS/ECEAP Admin

Salary Range: $3167 - $4194

Open Continuous.

Starting salary for this position is: $3167 (Monthly)

Employees hired at the entry step of this range receive salary step advancement after six months and every 12 months thereafter. An employee hired at anything higher than the entry step of the range will have salary step advancement after 12 months and every 12 months thereafter until they reach the top of the salary range. Each salary step advancement will be approximately a 5% increase.

About Us

Spokane Colleges Head Start/ECEAP/Early Head Start provides care and support for more than 1600 children and their families. We offer safe and secure learning environments for children to grow and develop their skills to succeed in elementary school and beyond.

We are dedicated to working with low-income families. and involve parents and families in developing the goals of each Head Start center including centers on the Spokane Falls Community College and Spokane Community College campuses. We also serve the children of eligible students while they attend college.

Applications will be forwarded to the hiring official as they are received and accepted until the need is filled.

About theAssociate Teacher (Early Childhood Program Specialist 2) Preschool - Head Start

Under the general supervision of the Center Manager the Associate Teacher performs recurring routine job duties and assignments under the daily direction of the Lead Teacher in implementing the educational curriculum and the general operation of a Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) early childhood classroom.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate in classroom and outside daily routines and activities. Utilize daily routines to support individual learning opportunities. *
• Assist in the development implementation and documentation of an early childhood curriculum. *
• Assist in assessing the developmental needs of infants/ toddlers and/or preschoolers; track individual progress by recording ongoing assessments and assist with the development of individualized learning opportunities inclusive of children with disabilities. *
• Assist in conducting developmental screenings providing referrals and arranging follow-up services and ensuring parents are involved in curriculum planning and child observations in the classroom environment. *
• Assist in promoting and protecting childrens health by adhering to Individual Health Plans (IHP) and special diet needs. Attend to childrens personal needs and use routine care as a component of primary caregiving. *
• Participate in case management home visits center conferences and the development and implementation of Childrens Individual Plans (CIP) and family transition plans with Direct Service Team. *
• Assist with maintaining required documentation records and supplies. *
• Maintain required records and other information as requested. *
• May assist in providing feedback to ECE student teachers. *
• May assist and/or perform work of the Lead Teacher. *
• Work effectively as a member of a classroom and direct services team to provide integrated comprehensive services to children and families. *
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships within the community; represent and promote HS/EHS at community events and committees as assigned. *
• Stay informed by attending all necessary training and meetings and reading all written program updates. *
• Model professional decorum and mutual respect in all personal interactions. *
• Comply with district policies procedures and directives state and federal regulations orders and statutes and collective bargaining agreements. *
• Support and advance the Spokane Colleges strategic plan and perform other duties as assigned. *

* Indicates this is an essential duty.

This position is designated a bargaining unit position.

COMPETENCIES

• Action Oriented
• Optimizes Work Processes
• Ensures Accountability
• Drives Results
• Collaborates
• Values Differences
• Communicates Effectively
• Instills Trust
• Demonstrates Self-Awareness
• Self-Development
• Nimble Learning
• Situational Adaptability

Learn more about our competencies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education OR
  • A minimum of a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential OR
  • A state-awarded certificate in Early Childhood Education Infant Toddler Care for infant/toddler positions or a state-awarded certificate in Early Childhood Education General for preschool positions OR
  • Are enrolled in a program that will lead to an associate or baccalaureate degree or are enrolled in a CDA credential program to be completed within one (1) year of the time of hire.
• Knowledge of early childhood education theory and practices including child development developmentally appropriate practices primary caregiving observation and ongoing assessment individualizing planning special services referrals developing and maintaining a classroom environment and routines and child management.
• Knowledge of the impacts of complex trauma on family systems.
• Ability to understand and utilize data in decision-making and program implementation.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Knowledge of appropriate techniques for diapering sanitation napping feeding and toilet training.
• Must be able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in an early childhood program.
• First aid/CPR (as available through Spokane Colleges).

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• One or more years experience working with infant/toddler/preschool aged children.
• Previous experience with Head Start/Early Head Start or working with low-income families from a variety of cultural groups especially English as a Second Language (ESL).
• Basic computer skills including e-mail and word processing.
• Previous experience with Teaching Strategies Gold and Creative Curriculum Tools.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work without assistive equipment that may compromise or interfere with the physical safety of children & staff in the learning environment.
• Work is equally performed in an indoor office environment and outdoor uncontrolled elements.
• Work is active.
• Work requires periods of standing and walking.
• Frequent repetitive hand/wrist motions and finger manipulation.
• Frequent oral and auditory communication with others.
• Frequent kneeling stooping crouching crawling climbing and twisting.
• Move up to 25 lbs. occasionally and up to 50 lbs. occasionally.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Full-time or cyclic schedule (12 months 40 hours a week or less).
• 6-month probationary period.
• This position is overtime eligible.
• Post-Offer medical exam which includes tuberculin screening and submission of documentation indicating Measles Mumps & Rubella (MMR) vaccination or immunity.
• Pre-Employment Post Offer criminal history/child abuse information check including Department of Children Youth and Families Portable Background Check prior to employment.
• Valid Food Workers Card (as available through Washington State Department of Health).
• First Aid/CPR certification (or ability to obtain when training offered by Spokane Colleges)
• If minimum qualifications are not met at time of hire employee is expected to acquire the necessary educational credits/credentials to meet the above listed minimum qualifications of the position within 24 months of date of hire.
• May require local or regional travel.
• Criminal background check required.

Person hired must be able to provide acceptable documentation of U.S. Citizenship or lawful authorization to work in the United States. This is an absolute condition of employment. An offer of employment will not carry with it any responsibility or obligation on the part of the district to sponsor an H1-B addition the Spokane Colleges maintain a drug-free work environment and prohibits all smoking in the college buildings and state-owned vehicles. Must be able to successfully work in and promote a multicultural work and education environment.

Prior to a new hire a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicants suitability and competence to perform in the an applicant is chosen for a position they are required to complete and submit a declaration regarding sexual misconduct and investigation per state law.

Benefits Information

Medical dental life and long term disability insurance benefits are provided as currently administered under Public Employees Benefits Board; WA State Retirement Plan; vacation and sick leave begin to accrue at the rate of one (1) day per month upon employment. (For positions that are less than full time leave accruals will be prorated to the percentage of the position.) This position is designated a bargaining unit position and union membership is not a condition of employment. Leave accruals and usage are governed by the WFSE collective bargaining agreement.

Public Employees Benefits Board

Additional benefits information

Required Application Materials

To qualify for consideration applicants must meet required competencies and submit a complete application packet which includes the following:

• Cover letter - addressing your qualifications relevant to the responsibilities of this position.
• Resume.
• References the names addresses and phone numbers of three professional references.

For questions regarding a job application or the hiring process or if you require an accommodation during the application or interview process please contact HR at

Equal Opportunity Institution

Spokane Colleges does not discriminate in its programs activities and employment on the basis of race creed color religion national or ethnic origin age sex marital status pregnancy pregnancy related conditions parental status or families with children status as a mother breastfeeding their child AIDS/HIV or hepatitis C honorably discharged veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression disability use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability genetic information or any other legally protected category.

Direct all inquiries or grievances regarding access Title IX ADA equal opportunity compliance and/or grievances to:
Fred Davis Chief Human Resources Officer
Spokane Colleges
P.O. Box 6000 MS1004
Spokane WA. 99217-6000