Early Childhood Advocate

Door of Hope; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 35,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Vacation Accrual

Paid Sick Accrual

403(b) match

Job summary

Door of Hope is seeking an Early Childhood Advocate in Pasadena to support children ages 1–4 in a safe, nurturing setting. The role emphasizes play-based learning, responsive caregiving, and spiritual development within a Christian nonprofit focused on families experiencing housing instability.

The ideal candidate has experience with young children, strong organizational skills, and a proactive, compassionate approach. Bilingual Spanish is preferred; a valid driver’s license is required.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children ages 1–4 required.
• Knowledge of early childhood development and positive behavior guidance preferred.
• Experience with trauma-impacted families a plus.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to lift 30 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Provide attentive, responsive care in a safe, nurturing environment for children aged 1–4.
• Plan and facilitate play-based activities supporting language, motor, sensory, and social-emotional development.
• Support emotional regulation and positive transitions.
• Communicate updates to parents and leadership; follow safety and hygiene policies.
• Assist with family events and program duties as needed.

Skills

Experience with young children

Early childhood development knowledge

Spanish bilingual

Strong communication

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in ECE/related field (in progress or completed)

Job description

Description

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of young children and families experiencing housing instability? Are you searching for not just a job, but a calling? Door of Hope, a Christian nonprofit that empowers families facing homelessness to transform their lives, is hiring an Early Childhood Advocate to support children ages 1–4.

The Early Childhood Advocate creates a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment where young children can learn, explore, build relationships, and thrive. Through play-based learning, responsive caregiving, and intentional interactions, this role supports children’s emotional, social, physical, cognitive, and spiritual development. The ideal candidate has a genuine passion for early childhood development, patience, strong organizational skills, and a proactive approach to nurturing each child’s God-given strengths.

Hours

• 20.5 hours/week: Monday, 1:30–8:30 p.m.; Tuesday–Thursday, 4:00–8:30 p.m. (some flexibility)
• Occasional weekends

Responsibilities

Early Childhood Care & Development

• Provide attentive, responsive care in a safe, nurturing environment for children ages 1–4.
• Plan and facilitate play-based activities that support language, motor skills, sensory exploration, creativity, early learning, and social-emotional development.
• Support emotional regulation, peer interactions, and transitions through positive, developmentally appropriate guidance and consistent routines.
• Observe children’s strengths and needs and communicate relevant updates to parents and program leadership.
• Follow all child safety, supervision, hygiene, and organizational policies.

Family & Program Support

• Build welcoming, trusting relationships with parents, residents, team members, and volunteers.
• Communicate with parents about children’s experiences and partner with the team to support their development.
• Prepare enrichment materials and maintain clean, safe, organized classrooms, toys, and supplies.
• Assist with administrative tasks, including attendance, calendars, permission forms, and supply lists.
• Provide guidance to volunteers on appropriate interactions with young children.
• Pick up donations, support relevant community resources, and assist with family events, including the Annual Toy Drive, Summer Festival, and Christmas Party.
• Support other Children & Youth program needs and perform additional duties as needed.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Experience working with young children, particularly ages 1–4, required.
• Knowledge of early childhood development and positive behavior guidance preferred.
• Experience in childcare, preschool, or early childhood education preferred; experience with children and families impacted by trauma or housing instability is a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, social work, psychology, education, or a related field (in progress or completed) is a plus.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and at least two years of driving experience required.
• Ability to lift and carry 30 pounds.
• Basic Microsoft Office and computer skills.
• Strong communication, organization, initiative, patience, and follow-through.
• Commitment to Door of Hope’s Christian mission and organizational values.

Compensation & Benefits

Expected compensation: $21.75/hour to $25.75/hour depending on experience

Competitive benefits package including:

• Paid Vacation Accrual: 1 hr./30 hrs. worked
• Paid Sick Accrual: 1 hr./30 hrs. worked
• 403(b): 3% dollar-for-dollar match

Character (Do you embody Door of Hope’s four core values?)?

Christ-centered, expressed through:?

• Faith: We have an active and personal relationship with Jesus Christ.?
• Calling: Out of a sense of calling, we go above and beyond to meet our mission.
• Character: We demonstrate the character of Christ toward colleagues and families.

Empowering, expressed through:?

• Trust: We trust one another, believe in one another, and give each other the freedom to take risks. (Mistakes are learning opportunities.)?
• Accountability: We nurture God-given strengths through coaching and accountability.

Holistic, expressed through:?

• Whole Person: Our emotional, spiritual and personal well-being matter to one another.
• Whole Organization: We are on one team with one mission. (We don’t do silos.)

Relationship, expressed through:?

• Family: We love, celebrate, and pray with one another.?
• Reconciliation: We manage conflict, practice vulnerability, and pursue diversity with honesty and grace.?