EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIALIST 2

Bates Technical College; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Bates Technical College seeks an EC Specialist 2 to support preschool activities, document child outcomes, and maintain a safe classroom. Under supervision, you will assist with daily routines, health checks, and family communication while aligning with ECEAP and NAEYC standards.

The role emphasizes teamwork with the site staff, professional development, and adherence to program guidelines. Two vacancies exist in this cohort.

Qualifications

• CDA or ECE Credential Step 7 required.
• One year of classroom experience with young children (birth to five).
• Strong English communication, both written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Interacts positively with all children to support learning and safety.
• Fosters a sense of belonging and supports family culture.
• Plans and prepares classroom materials and activities with the Specialist 4.

Skills

CDA

ECE Experience

English Communication

Education

CDA Credential

ECE Credential Step 7

ECE Associate Degree

Job description

Job Summary

The EC Specialist 2 provides support to the ECEAP EC Specialist 3 by implementing daily classroom activities for preschool children. Record evidence of child outcomes during play and learning. Maintain a safe and healthy environment to meet NAEYC, ECEAP and Department of Early Learning Standards. Under supervision, he/she will work in accordance with program standards and work with the site team to enhance the parent’s role as the child’s first teacher and principal influence on the child’s education and development.

This recruitment is being conducted to fill two (2) vacancies.

Essential Duties

• Guidance: Interacts positively with all children to support their individual learning and meets their emotional needs; ready and willing to intercede quickly to keep children safe and model appropriate interactions.
• Cultural Competence: Foster a sense of belonging and nurture positive social relationships, careful to support a family’s home culture.
• Classroom Preparation: Works with the Specialist 4 to prepare and organize the classroom and classroom materials in accordance with the planned program.
• Planning: Contribute weekly to the planning of age-appropriate curriculum that meets the class and individual needs of children.
• Implementation: Work closely with children, observing them carefully, following their lead when possible, stimulating language identified in curriculum and demonstrate problem solving skills, including music, meals, group projects, small group activities.
• Assume the responsibilities of the teacher in his/her absence.
• Communicate effectively with families about the growth and development of the child.
• Health: Oversees health habits in the classroom, i.e. daily health screening, handwashing, tooth brushing, and first aid as needed. Checks indoor and outdoor environment for safety hazards; and understands the emergency preparedness procedures.
• Family-Style Meal Service: prepares and serves meals and snacks; assists with meal attendance following “point of service” USDA guidelines; participates and facilitates mealtime service and joins children at the table for support and conversation.
• Recordkeeping: Assists with record keeping on individual children and families as directed by the teacher. Completes written observations of individual children throughout the year and enters into Teaching Strategies Gold. Participates with the Specialist 4 to follow through with the learning plan for each child.
• Professional Development: participates in PSESD in-service staff trainings, staff meetings and other educational opportunities to gain knowledge throughout the year. Implement a personal professional development plan.

Other Duties

Please note this job description does not cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities. Additional duties and responsibilities will be assigned as deemed necessary to meet college needs.

Special Conditions

• Complete a Department of Early Learning MERIT account, containing educational qualifications
• Must have a current Portable Background Check in MERIT – according to WAC 170-06
• Complete 15 hours of professional develop per calendar year and documented in MERIT
• Complete the 6 hours of Early Achievers on-line training (Guidelines, Core competencies, CLASS and Environmental Rating Scale)
• Have negative results of TB test/or a recent negative chest x-ray and statement from health provider
• Maintain food handler card
• Maintain first aid/CPR
• Attend Limited Restraint training within the first year

Annual Required Training

• Bloodborne Pathogens/HIV Aids/Universal precautions training
• Child Abuse and Neglect
• Intro to DECA
• ECEAP Policy Overview
• Family Style Meals & Hand washing
• Family Support Principles
• Health Screenings
• Medication Administration Training

Minimum Qualifications

• Child Development Associates (CDA) OR
• ECE State Credential Step 7 on the Career Lattice, plus “Child Care Basics” Washington State STARS training
• One year of classroom experience with young children, birth to five
• Must communicate in English both verbally and in writing (unless filling the role of language support for ELL children)

Allowable Substitution

If necessary, alternative combinations of education and experience may be evaluated by the Human Resources Office for comparability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's degree in early childhood education (Level 9 on the Career Lattice) or a related AA degree with 30 quarter credits in Early Childhood Education
• Three years Childcare, ECEAP or Head Start experience
• Practice implementing individualized curriculum to meet student outcomes
• Familiar with NAEYC Accreditation

Bates Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal. For inquiries, please contact Title IX Coordinator LeMont Lucas, at 253.680.7113, [e-mail], or [e-mail]. For Section 504, contact Disability Coordinator Steve As hpole, Vice President of Student Services, at 253.680.7005, [e-mail]. All offices are located at 1101 South Yakima Ave., Tacoma, WA 98405.