EARLY HEAD START SPECIALIST 3

Bates Technical College; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Bates Technical College is hiring an Early Head Start Specialist 3 to provide individualized care and education for children aged 1 month to 3 years in a small group setting. The role emphasizes primary caregiving, family engagement, and collaborative planning with a co-teacher.

Responsibilities include maintaining documentation, adhering to CACFP guidelines, and participating in ongoing professional development to meet state and federal expectations.

Qualifications

• Requires Early Childhood Education Initial Certificate with infant/toddler endorsement and 12 months experience with children 0–5 years
• OR Infant/Toddler CDA with 12 months experience with children 0–5 years
• OR Preschool CDA with infant/toddler coursework and 12 months experience with children 0–5 years

Responsibilities

• Interact positively with children to support learning goals and safety.
• Foster belonging and family engagement with a strengths-based approach.
• Organize the classroom and materials per NAEYC and program standards.
• Manage time to align with planned curriculum and goals.
• Ensure ITERS and CLASS benchmarks are reflected in the classroom.
• Supervise practicum students and volunteers.
• Monitor health and safety practices and emergency preparedness.
• Support family-style meals and CACFP meal counts and supervise eating.
• Maintain attendance and sign-in/out records daily.
• Document and plan assessments, screenings and program checkpoints.
• Participate in professional development and district trainings.

Skills

Positive interactions with children

Family engagement

Classroom management

Time management

Safety protocols

Education

ECE Initial Certificate with IT endorsement

Infant/Toddler CDA

Preschool CDA with infant/toddler coursework

Job description

Early Head Start (EHS) Specialist 3 provides individualized care and education for children ages 1-month to age 3-years in a group setting of eight children with a co-teacher. The model is primary caregiving. The EHS 3 plans, organizes, performs directs and assesses all work related to the development, implementation and evaluation of education programming under the general direction of the Early Childhood Manager. To be successful the EHS 3 must develop positive and trusting relationships, take intentional steps to promote parent and family engagement, and be able to communicate effectively with parents and colleagues.

*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.

Essential Functions

• Interacts positively with all children to support their individual learning goals and emotional needs; ready and willing to intercede quickly to keep children safe and model appropriate interactions.
• Foster a sense of belonging and nurture positive social relationships, careful to support a family’s home culture; develop, nurture, and maintain relationships with parents from a strengths-based perspective. Be flexible to meet with parents on a home visit or conference that meets their needs and program standards.
• Manage and organize the classroom and materials using the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Principles of Child Development and EHS program standards.
• Use time management skills to be prepared in accordance with the planned curriculum and individual learning goals prior to the start of class.
• Ensure classroom environment reflects the quality guidelines of Infant Toddler Environmental Rating Scale (ITERS) and that teacher-child interactions demonstrate the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS).
• Monitor the work of practicum students and volunteers.
• Ensure healthy habits are followed, i.e., daily health screening, handwashing, tooth brushing. Conduct indoor and outdoor safety checks, and responsible for emergency preparedness practice.
• Serves family-style meals and snacks; complete meal counts following "point of service" Child Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) guidelines; supervise children's eating behavior by sitting with them while they eat.
• Maintain classroom attendance sheets and ensure daily parent sign in and out in the electronic attendance system.
• Complete planning, assessments, screenings, parent contact, Teaching Strategies Gold documentation and checkpoint to ensure monthly program requirements are met.
• Participates in Puget Sound Education Service District (PSESD) in-service staff training, staff meetings and other educational opportunities to improve skills and stay current with state and federal expectations.

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.
• Act as a support and resource person for families to help case manage specific needs, advocate for parents, and encourage parent involvement in the program.
• Direct and monitor the work of practicum students and volunteers: evaluate practicum and interns.
• Plan outdoor activities that promote deep breathing, enjoying nature and the changes in seasons, in addition to large motor activity.
• Teachers will be flexible to incorporate the emergent ideas children offer in their play and home experiences. Project approach is encouraged.
• Participate actively and collaboratively on committees for college as needed, including but not limited to staff recruitment, college councils, etc.
• Additional activities, duties and responsibilities may be added with or without notice to meet college needs.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Early Childhood Education Initial Certificate with the infant toddler endorsement. (15 ECE credits) and 12 months experience with children 0-5 years. OR
• Current Infant/Toddler CDA (Child Development Associate) credential from the Council for Professional Recognition and 12 months experience with children 0-5 years OR
• Current Preschool CDA (Child Development Associate) Credential from the Council for Professional Recognition, with infant/toddler course work and 12 months experience with children 0-5 years

Allowable Substitution

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate or higher degree in Early Childhood Education or related field with infant/toddler coursework and 12 months experience with children 0-5 years.

Bates Technical College

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], [e-mail]. For Section 504, contact Disability Coordinator Steve Ashpole, Vice President of Student Services, at 253.680.7005, [e-mail]. All offices are located at 1101 South Yakima Ave., Tacoma, WA 98405.