Head Start Early Childhood Program Specialist 2, Assistant Teacher

Skagit Valley College•Mount Vernon, WA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

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 service. In 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 children’s 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. There are two (2) vacancies, with one position reporting to each of the sites listed. Travel to other locations will be required for some pre-scheduled meetings and trainings. Jefferson Head Start, located at 1801 E. Blackburn, Mount Vernon, WA 98274 Washington Head Start, located at 1020 McLean Road, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 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.

Requirements

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
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
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 driver's 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 applicant's 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 applicant’s 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.
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.

Nice To Haves

Short WA State ECE Certificate
Associate's 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

Responsibilities

Ensure a safe, nurturing, welcoming, and developmentally appropriate environment
Provide continuous active supervision as established in the center’s 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 children’s 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