Early Childhood Program Specialist 2 - Preschool

Olympic College; Bremerton (WA); On-site; USD 46,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/vision and dental coverage

Wellness programs

Tuition waiver

Job summary

Olympic College is seeking an Early Childhood Program Specialist 2 (Preschool) in Sophia Bremer Early Learning Academy (SBELA) to support lead teachers and engage with families. The role focuses on creating safe, engaging learning environments for birth to 5‑year‑olds and contributing to accreditation and continuous improvement efforts.

Responsibilities include supervision, collaboration with a diverse team, and implementing developmentally appropriate activities.

Qualifications

• ECE State Certificate is required.
• One year of experience caring for children ages 1‑5 in a center-based program.
• One year full‑time equivalent experience working with low‑income families.
• One year full‑time equivalent experience working with families from diverse cultures and ethnic backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Provide active supervision of children at all times to ensure a safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate learning environment.
• Maintain awareness of child safety, classroom environment, and group dynamics while supporting transitions and routines.
• Implement developmentally appropriate activities based on needs of children in collaboration with lead teachers.
• Assist in developmental assessment and screening using program-approved tools.
• Model positive communication and nurturing interactions with children and families.

Skills

Collaboration

Professionalism

Communication with families

Integrity

Education

ECE State Certificate

Associate degree in early childhood education

Job description

Early Childhood Program Specialist 2

Preschool

Salary: $45,924 - $61,332* Annually

Classification: Early Childhood Program Specialist 2

Reports to: Director of SBELA

This position will remain open for a minimum of seven (7) days. The College reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time after the minimum posting period once a sufficient applicant pool has been established. All classified positions will start their salary at Step A.

Olympic College has an opening for an Early Childhood Program Specialist 2 (Preschool) in Sophia Bremer Early Learning Academy (SBELA). The Sophia Bremer Early Learning Academy provides quality, comprehensive early learning services for the Olympic College community. The Early Childhood Program Specialist 2 is an assistant teacher role in the classroom that requires working with children ages 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 that are responsive to individual developmental needs. The assistant teacher serves as a part of a diverse and responsive team, requiring strong collaboration skills, professionalism, and integrity in interactions with children, families, colleagues, and community partners. In addition to being responsible for ensuring full compliance with all legal, accreditation, and other standards, the assistant teacher also participates in accreditation, assessment, and continuous improvement processes. All 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.

The assistant teacher serves as a part of a diverse and responsive team, requiring strong collaboration skills, professionalism, and integrity in interactions with children, families, colleagues, and community partners. In addition to being responsible for ensuring full compliance with all legal, accreditation, and other standards, the assistant teacher also participates in accreditation, assessment, and continuous improvement processes. All 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.

Classroom Engagements

• Provide active supervision of children at all times to ensure a safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate learning environment in accordance with licensing and Head Start requirements.
• Maintain awareness of child safety, classroom environment, and group dynamics while supporting safe transitions, indoor and outdoor activities, and daily routines.
• Implement culturally responsive individual, small group, and large group activities based on the developmental needs of the children, and 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.
• Create and provide classroom visual aids and resources as necessary.
• Complete, secure, and deliver all required documentation as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Family Engagement

• 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.
• Support dual language families with classroom and program resources where necessary.

Partnerships Engagement

• Support program approval and improvement activities consistent 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.
• Complete required reports and maintain all required documentation of services provided.
• Participate in meetings with center staff, families, external partners, and specialists, as well as center activities such as graduation and family events as necessary.
• Participate in trainings as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• ECE State Certificate
• One year of experience caring for children ages 1‑5 in a center-based program required.
• One (1) year full‑time equivalent (FTE) experience working with low‑income families.
• One (1) year full‑time equivalent (FTE) experience working with families from diverse cultures and ethnic backgrounds.

Preferred Qualification

• 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.

Work Setting and Conditions

This position’s primary work setting spans both indoor and outdoor settings, including classrooms, restrooms, kitchen areas, office space, outdoor learning spaces, and play areas for children. Work may require extended time sitting or standing. Indoor and outdoor settings will experience typical noises, interruptions, and interactions. The office setting may often require privacy to preserve confidentiality. This position requires moving from one space or building to another.

Tools and Equipment

Consistent with indoor and outdoor childcare settings, tools and equipment range from typical office equipment like a computer, printer, copier, document scanner, first aid kits, and telephone, to kitchen and custodial equipment like ovens, dishwashers, vacuums, and laundry machines, to outdoor play environments, including toys, playground equipment, and landscaping tools like hoses, shovels, and brooms. An employer-provided mobile phone or radio may also be required.

Terms of Employment

Please note that we are unable to sponsor visas for this position. Only candidates who are currently authorized to work in the United States will be considered.

This is a full‑time classified position scheduled to work 40 hours a week, with a salary range of $45,924 - $61,332* annually. All classified positions will start their salary at Step A. After completing the six‑month probation, your salary will increase by 2 steps.

A collective bargaining agreement exists, and this position is covered by the Washington Public Employees Association (WPEA) Union. Classified positions qualify for the following benefits: Medical/vision, dental, long‑term disability, life insurance, and accidental dismemberment, Flexible Spending Arrangement, Dependent Care Assistance Program, Wellness Programs, Department of Retirement Systems Plan 2 or Plan 3, Deferred Compensation Program (DRS) retirement savings plan; TIAA supplemental retirement savings plan, Aflac, 11 paid holidays, leave - vacation/sick/personal holiday/personal leave, auto/home insurance, space available tuition waiver, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), fitness center, reduced rate and priority consideration for on‑site child care based on space availability.

For more information regarding benefits, please visit our website here.

Conditions of Employment

• Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position. In addition to the background check, candidates will be required to complete the Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Form as required WB HB 2327.
• The employee must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance of the campus to respond to workplace reporting requirements at the time of hiring. Frequent travel to Olympic College campuses or other sites may occur.
• Prior to employment, the candidate must show proof of all required immunizations, certifications, and tests, including a Tuberculosis (TB) test, MMR vaccination, and all required STARS certification requirements.
• Within 1 month of hire, the employee must complete all required training and certifications in accordance with state and federal guidelines, including: Child Care Basics Training, Safe Sleep Training, Abusive Head Trauma Training, Mandated Reporter Training, Medication Management Training, Families Experiencing Homelessness Training, Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Training, Bloodborne Pathogens Training, CPR & First Aid for Infants and Children certification, Food Handlers Permit, and WAC and Licensing training requirements.
• Maintain all required certifications, training, and educational requirements as established by state and federal guidelines.

Olympic College values equity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator. Olympic College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, religion, or status as a veteran of war. Prohibited sex discrimination includes sexual harassment, including but not limited to unwelcome sexual conduct. Provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students, employees, and applicants with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Federal Rehabilitation Act. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non‑discrimination policies: Erin Pohl, Title VII and Title IX, Building 5, room 528A, 360-475-7303. Olympic College is a smoke-free/ drug-free environment. This recruitment announcement does not reflect the entire job description and can be changed or modified without notice.

Olympic College

Human Resources

1600 Chester Ave Bldg. 5 - 5th Floor

Bremerton, WA 98337

https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/olympic