Early Childhood Program Specialist​/Assistant Teacher

Overview

Western Washington University, with over 15,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. Western has additional sites in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles, and Poulsbo.

Western is recognized nationally for its successes, such as being named one of the top public master’s-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.

Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. Western's greatest strength is the outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can thrive.

In pursuit of this excellence, individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, student, and external constituents. Further, individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic, societal, environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.

The Assistant Teacher at the WWU Child Development Center collaborates closely with Lead Teachers to plan and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate curriculum that is often child-initiated and open-ended. This position supports a positive, inclusive, and respectful learning environment for children, families, students, and colleagues from diverse backgrounds. Responsibilities include providing high-quality early childhood services, fostering meaningful relationships with families, and mentoring WWU student Classroom Assistants.

As a key member of the Child Development Center the Assistant Teacher contributes to the center's commitment to excellence, inclusion, and student learning.

This is a full-time, 9.5 cyclic permanent position.

• Meet all Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) requirements including MERIT registration, current First Aid/CPR certification, Bloodborne Pathogens training, Safe Sleep training, and negative TB test
• Minimum of one year of experience working with children ages 1-5 in a licensed early learning or group care setting, and 30 quarter credits in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Special Education, or a related field
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced early childhood environment while maintaining accurate documentation, organization, and attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with a commitment to inclusive practices and respectful partnerships with children, families, students, and colleagues
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Outlook, and Excel
• Ability to lift, carry, and move up to 50 pounds and actively participate in classroom activities, including floor play and outdoor supervision

• Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field
• Experience using Teaching Strategies GOLD and other technology-based tools for assessment and documentation
• Experience creating classroom documentation and visual displays that support children's learning and development

All employees must comply with our Immunization policies, including Proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60-days of hire. Please reach out to HR if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.

This position requires a fingerprint background check.

Salary $3,864 - $4,242/month depending on qualifications and experience

This position is part of bargaining unit PT and is covered by the collective bargaining agreement with Public School Employees of WWU.

Application materials should address your experience related to the position responsibilities and the required and preferred qualifications.

Closing Date Notes:
Application review begins July 23, 2026; position is open until filled

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with applicable laws, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, citizenship or immigration status, pregnancy, use of protective leave, genetic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, creed, religion, veteran or…