Early Childhood Program Specialist Substitute

Early Childhood Program Specialist 1 – Substitute

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Salary: $16.66 - $20.94 hourly

Classification: Early Childhood Program Specialist 1

Reports to: Director of SBELA

Olympic College has an opening for an Early Childhood Program Specialist 1 – substitute (work on call). The Sophia Bremer Early Learning Academy provides quality, comprehensive early learning services for the Olympic College community. The Early Childhood Program Specialist 1 is the assistant teacher role in the classroom, which requires working with children who range in age from birth to 5.

The assistant teacher is responsible for supporting lead teachers and classroom activities by developing positive partnerships with families and providing quality learning environments responsive to individual developmental needs. The assistant teacher is part of a diverse and responsive team, requiring strong collaboration skills, professionalism, and integrity in interactions with children, families, colleagues, and community partners. All substitute teachers are expected to meet pre-service requirements upon hire, remain current in training and service requirements, and engage in early childhood education best practices to support practicum students in the daily application of these practices.

• Implement culturally responsive individual, small group, and large group activities based on the developmental needs of the children, which cultivate each child's sense of importance and belonging across indoor and outdoor settings, as directed by the lead teacher.
• Assist in the developmental assessment and screening of each child using program-approved tools and instruments to maintain a healthy, safe, and developmentally appropriate program.
• Model positive communication skills, positive guidance techniques, and nurturing qualities while promoting positive attachments between caregivers, children and families, consistent with program-approved best practices.
• Use and be knowledgeable of all educational equipment and supplies routinely used in the program, and maintain and request equipment and supplies through the director as necessary.
• Recognize parents as their child’s primary teachers and become familiar with family circumstances.
• Maintain positive, open communication that foregrounds a child’s strengths and assets, and developmental needs, while recognizing parents as their child’s primary teachers and becoming familiar with family circumstances.
• Encourage and support parental involvement in the classroom and all other educational opportunities.
• Provide opportunities for parents to learn about the growth and development of their child, including ways to increase connections between school and home.
• Maintain appropriate professionalism and confidentiality consistent with NAEYC ethics and professional standards.
• Support dual language families with classroom and program resources where necessary, with existing and emerging partnerships.
• Maintain professional, respectful, and productive relationships with parents, prospective families, and community partners.
• Collaborate and partner with external coaches, including those designated from Head Start, Early Head Start, Early Achievers, and Olympic Educational Service District 114.
• Support all necessary and relevant Head Start and Early Head Start requirements, such as ensuring student progress, complying with standard and conduct agreements, and documenting progress and observations.
• Participate in training as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• One year of experience caring for children from birth to 5 years in a center-based program.
• One year of experience working with low-income families.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from an accredited higher education institution.
• One (1) year FTE experience working in Head Start, Early Head Start, or Early Childhood Education and Assistant Programs (ECEAP); children with disabilities; and families of community college students.

Early Childhood Education…