Head Start Early Childhood Program Specialist 2, Assistant Teacher

Skagit Valley College exists to expand opportunities and horizons for students and to strengthen the communities in which they live by welcoming and valuing diverse learners providing quality education and support and contributing leadership and alignment with this mission Skagit/Island Head Start builds strong foundations for lifelong learning through family-centered child-focused partnerships that support children and families including those experiencing homelessness poverty foster care or child protective system involvement and other life stressors.

Head Start is a federal program that has served vulnerable children and families for more than half a century and is committed to providing inclusive nurturing environments where children are not expelled or excluded due to behavioral concerns disabilities or special needs. Instead individualized support ensures that all children are prepared to enter kindergarten healthy and ready to learn. Center staff play a key role in supporting the needs of all children and families while collaborating with community partners to help build stronger communities.

Under the direction of the lead teacher this position provides a variety of support to the daily routines and activities of a compliant and developmentally appropriate early childhood center. Working in an early learning center always requires prioritizing childrens health and safety. This role requires the ability to see and hear children and staff work indoors and outdoors in varying conditions and perform frequent physical activities such as sitting standing walking bending and lifting children up to 50 pounds.

Jefferson Head Start located at 1801 E. Blackburn Mount Vernon WA 98274

These positions work 10.75 months per year and 38 hours per week.

Application materials will be accepted until the position is filled. Applications may be kept on file to be considered for openings that may occur in the future.

This position is grant-funded. The extension of the position is dependent on the continuation of funding.

The Location:Skagit Valley College is on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples especially on Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Upper Skagit Indian Tribe Samish Indian Nation Nooksack Indian Tribe and Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe. Located in a geographically diverse region between the dynamic metropolitan hubs of Seattle and Vancouver BC SVC is never far from world-class outdoor recreation urban arts scenes and local cultural events. SVC serves our local communities with a campus in Mount Vernon Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island and centers in Friday Harbor a Marine Technology Center in Anacortes and a Brewing Academy in Burlington.

Mission:Skagit Valley College cultivates student learning and achievement; contributes to the educational personal and economic success of students; and promotes equitable and thriving communities.

Vision:The primary focus of Skagit Valley College is student-centered teaching and learning. We are committed to:

• Equitable student outcomes in access achievement and community;
• Our Guiding Principles;
• Decisions based on strategy and evidence;
• The development of our employees;
• A diverse and inclusive college community where everyone belongs.

• An unrelenting focus on our mission to improve the lives of our students and to strengthen our diverse community.
• Support for innovative teaching learning and scholarship.
• Exciting opportunities for personal and career growth.
• Diverse cultural and environmental benefits of rural suburban and urban lifestyles.
• Friendly supportive and diverse work environments.
• Excellent benefits include competitive leave packages and an array of health dental vision and retirement plans to meet your current and future needs.

Ensure a safe nurturing welcoming and developmentally appropriate environment

• Provide continuous active supervision as established in the centers Active Supervision Plan;
• Welcome children parents and all visitors to the classroom; encourage parents interns volunteers and visitors to participate in classroom activities;
• Use positive and intentional language to engage children and facilitate play in support of classroom plans and developmental goals;
• Support embedded strategies and practices within classroom routines and activities to promote all childrens progress toward school readiness goals including children with IFSP or IEP goals and dual language learners;
• Based on the curriculum fidelity tool set up and maintain a well-organized interesting and safe classroom environment that is developmentally appropriate for the children served;
• Interact with staff therapists volunteers and parents in a positive and professional manner;
• During the absence of the lead teacher lead children and adults through the daily schedule and provide direction as needed.

• Conduct playground safety checks as assigned;
• Conduct daily health checks for children upon arrival;
• Assist children with toileting needs including diapering;
• Support daily meal routines by distributing and serving meals sitting with children to model appropriate mealtime behaviors and engaging in social conversations that build connections and support language development;
• Support classroom meal preparation and clean-up including dishes;
• Clean and sanitize assigned areas surfaces and materials as needed including cots sheets towels and other laundered items;
• Empty garbage cans and clean bathrooms and classroom furnishings as assigned;
• Administer first aid and respond to medical emergencies as they arise; complete incident reports as required and be available to discuss incidents with parents;
• In the absence of or at the direction of the teacher or center manager administer prescribed or approved non-prescribed medications as authorized. Document as required;
• Support the individualized health and mental health needs of each child including behavioral needs;
• Be prepared to support a variety of tasks within the center including food preparation (assisting in the kitchen) and other operational services as needed and as assigned.

• Participate in classroom planning sessions with the classroom teaching team; lead planning sessions in the absence of the lead teacher for up to three weeks as assigned;
• Participate in center team meetings and quarterly family reviews;
• Assist the lead teacher with the ongoing collection and entry of observational data related to the GOLD assessment including entering data in GOLD online and documenting planning on program forms or Teaching Strategies Cloud;
• Document attendance and meal service in ChildPlus;
• Support the completion of developmental and/or behavioral screenings within required program timelines;
• Assist the lead teacher during education visits (home visits and conferences);
• Provide mentorship to classroom assistants and interns;
• Support center parent committee meetings training and other family activities.

• Complete annual requirements including required training (Bloodborne Pathogens CPS Active Supervision Food Handlers Right Response USDA) and sign the Confidentiality Statement and Code of Conduct & Ethical Standards forms;
• Engage in program training coaching and other professional development activities to enhance job skills and knowledge completing at a minimum the required 15 hours of classroom-related training each year;
• Maintain good attendance to support optimal child outcomes;
• Complete ongoing job-related program and personal documentation (excluding GOLD and ChildPlus) in an accurate and timely manner including ctcLink time reporting and program surveys;
• Participate in program committees as desired.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Initial WA State ECE Certificate or valid Child Development Associate Credential (CDA);
• Fluency in English;
• Experience in an early learning classroom setting equal to three (3) years.

• Short WA State ECE Certificate;

• Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or related field with Early Childhood Education credits equivalent to the WA State Early Childhood Education certificate;

• Experience working with children with an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Program (IEP);

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to build and maintain constructive and effective relationships with others demonstrating respect cooperation and mutual regard;

• Accountability through accepting personal responsibility for the timeliness and quality of work;

• An ongoing commitment to learning and self-improvement that includes reaching out to the appropriate individuals for support and guidance as needed;

• Demonstrated ethical and integrity-based behaviors that include setting appropriate boundaries and maintaining honesty and professionalism;

• Actively supports and honors inclusiveness and diversity;

• Ability to use technology to enter hours of work and leave;

• Ability to document information based on observations of children;

• Ability to follow directions and instructions to ensure a safe learning environment.

Salary and Benefits:

• Salary is based on Range 42 Step A $3635.65 per month with periodic increments to $4731 per month. This salary is prorated at 95% full-time equivalency. Starting salary may be dependent on education qualifications and experience.Salary and benefits are subject to change in accordance with legislative mandates and collective bargaining agreements.
• This position is eligible for overtime pay in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and is dependent upon continued grant funding.
• This is a union-represented position subject to a collective bargaining agreement.
• Retirement medical and insurance benefits are provided in accordance with state regulations. Additional information on benefits can be found at of Employment:Application Procedure:
  
  • A MERIT background check including fingerprints through the Washington State Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF);
  • If hired you will be required to provide proof that you are either 1) a U.S. citizen or 2) an immigrant whose status permits you to lawfully work in this country;
  • Within 30 days of hire have or obtain the following:
    • an initial health examination indicating freedom from communicable diseases;
    • proof of a Tuberculosis (TB) test taken within 12 months prior to the initial employment date;
    • proof of immunization for measles mumps and rubella vaccination OR proof of immunity from measles;
    • CPR/First Aid card;
    • a current Food Handlers permit;
  • Candidates who do not meet the minimum educational requirement must successfully complete a Professional Development Plan to attain the educational requirement in accordance with the timeline outlined in the plan;
  • Meet all federally mandated requirements related to the Head Start program including but not limited to continuing educational requirements and all Washington State laws and College policies related to the Head Start program and SVC employment;
  • Have or ability to obtain by the time of hire a Washington State drivers license or equivalent and proof of auto insurance;
  • Prior to employment 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 position.
    
    Additionally pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080 applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or are currently being investigated for or have left a position during an investigation into a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicants current or past employer. By law post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who refuses to declare the existence or non-existence of an investigation or findings subject to this statute.
  
  
  • In the interest of providing a healthy safe and secure educational and work environment and in order to meet the requirements of federal legislation it is the policy of Skagit Valley College to maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace for our employees and students.
  • If hired you will be required to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. Citizenship or appropriate authorization to work in this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986.
  • This classification is included in the classified staff bargaining unit represented by the Washington Public Employees Association WPEA. Membership in the WPEA within thirty (30) calendar days of appointment at this classification is a requisite for employment at Skagit Valley College under union shop requirements.
  In order to be considered for the position you must complete the online application in full and attach the required supplemental to provide this information may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
  
  Application Deadline: This position is open until filled and applications submitted may be considered for future vacancies that occur.
  
  Please be aware that the College hiring authorities reserve the right to hire one or more candidates and may exercise the option to make a hiring decision prior to the conclusion of the recruitment process. Only candidates selected to interview will be contacted.
  
  Application Assistance:If you have questions about the position or require special accommodation you may contact Human Resources at Monday through Thursday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time. SVC complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the recruitment process may leave a TDD/TTY message at by the application closing date.
  
  For questions regarding the online application system you may call NEOGOV Applicant Tech Support at from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time. For best results apply using one of the following browsers supported by NEOGOV: Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Safari Microsoft Edge and later versions of Internet Explorer.
  
  SVC Annual Security Report:The U.S. Department of Education and the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act require all colleges to provide information to current and prospective students and employees about campus safety policies procedures and statistics on certain crimes including hate crimes domestic violence dating violence stalking and sexual assault. We are required to report our campus security information and statistics in an Annual Security Report which is updated annually each October. All prospective employees may obtain a copy of the Annual Security Report from the Human Resources Office by calling or by accessing the Report at: Valley College is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all groups in terms and conditions of employment and personnel practices.
  
  Skagit Valley College provides a drug-free environment and does not discriminate on the basis of race color creed religion national origin sex sexual orientation and/or gender identity pregnancy genetic information age marital status disability honorably discharged veteran or military status in its programs and employment. For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies contact Carolyn Tucker Vice President of Human Resources/EEO 360.416.7794 or . For inquiries regarding sexual misconduct compliance contact Title IX Coordinator Sandy Jordan 360.416.7923 or . Mailing address: 2405 E. College Way Mount Vernon WA 98273.