Early Childhood Specialist - Lead Teacher

Position: EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIALIST 4 - LEAD TEACHER
Salary: $54,448.00 - $56,703.00 Annually
Location : Downtown Campus - 1101 South Yakima Avenue, Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-011
Department: Childcare/ECEAP
Opening Date: 04/08/2026
Closing Date: 6/14/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

SUMMARY

Under the general direction of the EC Director, the Early Childhood Specialist 4 (ECEAP Lead Teacher) plans, implements and documents developmentally appropriate curriculum aligned with ECEAP Standards. The position ensures a safe, healthy, and inclusive classroom environment; provides day-to-day direction to instructional support staff; and builds positive, trust-based relationships with children and families to support school readiness and family engagement.

This position is open until filed.
This is a grant funded position.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & OTHER DUTIES

Essential Functions

• Interact positively and responsively with all children to support individual learning goals, social-emotional development, and emotional regulation.
• Actively supervise children and intervene quickly to ensure safety, model appropriate behavior, Plan, implement and save a weekly record developmentally appropriate curriculum aligned with Creative Curriculum and ECEAP Performance Standards.
• Enter lesson plans and assessments in Teaching Strategies Gold/Smart Teach.
• Conduct ongoing observations and use data to individualize instruction and inform classroom planning.
• Manage and organize classroom spaces and materials in accordance with ECEAP program standards.
• Conduct daily indoor and outdoor safety checks and maintain an orderly, engaging learning environment.
• Demonstrate effective time-management to ensure readiness for daily activities and routines.
• Direct and monitor the daily work of Teacher Assistants, practicum students, interns and volunteers.
• Provide guidance, feedback, and evaluation for practicum students and interns in collaboration with program leadership.
• Develop, nurture, and maintain respectful, strength-based relationships with families.
• Conduct family conferences and home visits that meet family needs and ECEAP program standards.
• Communicate regularly with families regarding child progress, classroom activities, and program expectations.
• Ensure daily health practices are followed, including health screenings, handwashing, tooth brushing, and first aid as needed.
• Implement emergency preparedness procedures and maintain compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Participate in family-style meal service, serve meals and snacks, complete meal attendance using USDA point-of-service guidelines, and supervise children during meals by sitting and engaging with them.
• Maintain accurate classroom attendance, bus sign-in/sign-out records, and daily parent sign-in/sign-out documentation
• Ensure required documentation is completed accurately, timely, and in compliance with program, state, and federal requirements.
• Participate in PSESD in-service training, staff meetings, and required professional learning opportunities.
• Implement a personal professional development plan and complete required annual STARS continuing education hours.

Non-Essential/Other Functions

• Accountable for keeping personal development up to date; adding to skills and knowledge through courses that may be available through the Bates Technical College courses, professional development committees, etc.
• Participate actively and collaboratively on committees for college as needed including but not limited to staff recruitment, college councils, etc.
• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Additional activities, duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice to meet college needs.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position provides daily functional direction to classroom staff, volunteers, and practicum students but does not include formal supervisory authority over classified employees.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education OR
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in another field plus 30 quarter credits in Early Childhood Education

Additional Requirements

• Completion of Washington State Child Care Basics/STARS requirement
• One (1) year of classroom experience working with children birth to five
• Ability to communicate effectively in English verbally and in writing (unless serving as designated language support for dual language learners)

Allowable Substitution
If necessary, alternative combinations of education and experience may be evaluated by Human Resources for comparability.
Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Early Childhood Education or a related field with 30 quarter credits in ECE
• Three (3) years of Lead Teacher experience in childcare and /or ECEAP settings

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
BATES TECHNICAL COLLEGE reaffirms its policy of equal opportunity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin,…