Early Childhood Program Specialist 2/Assistant Teacher

Western Washington U; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 43,122 - 47,340; Full time

Job summary

Western Washington University operates the Child Development Center and seeks an Assistant Teacher to join a collaborative team. You will plan and implement engaging, child-initiated curriculum and support WWU student Classroom Assistants while promoting inclusive practices.

The role is full-time, 9.5 cyclic permanent, requiring DCYF MERIT registration, First Aid/CPR, and 1 year of relevant experience with 1–5 year olds; responsibilities include documentation and family partnerships.

Qualifications

• DCYF MERIT registration and current First Aid/CPR certification.
• 1 year experience with children ages 1-5 in licensed setting; 30 quarter credits in ECE or related field.
• Ability to document accurately and stay organized in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and inclusive practices with families and colleagues.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel).
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and participate in classroom activities.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Lead Teachers to plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum.
• Foster an inclusive, respectful learning environment for children, families, and staff.
• Maintain high-quality documentation and support student Classroom Assistants.
• Engage in supervision of children during floor play and outdoor activities.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Written and verbal communication

Microsoft Office

Documentation

Team collaboration

Education

30 quarter credits in ECE/related field

Degree in Early Childhood Education (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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.

Position

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.

Required Qualifications

• 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

Preferred Qualifications

• 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

Conditions of Employment

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

This position requires a fingerprint background check.

Salary

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

Bargaining Unit

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

Application Instructions

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

Closing Date

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

Equal Opportunity

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 military status, disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal (including a service animal in training) by a person with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policies on Prohibiting Discrimination Based on A Protected Class and Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sex. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); [e-mail]

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3751 or 711 (Washington Relay).

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of Student Life at [e-mail]. The report can be found at: Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires which includes a sexual misconduct background check.