Education Specialist

ChildRoots; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Vision Insurance – majority-?

Dental Insurance – majority employer-

Life Insurance – 100% employer-paid

401(k) Retirement Plan – Generous team

Paid Time Off

Winter Break (weeklong)

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

ChildRoots in Portland, Oregon, is seeking an Education Specialist to support, coach, and manage teaching teams across infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms. This full-time role runs Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day, with a focus on collaboration and child-centered pedagogy.

Education Specialists start at $33.15/hour and receive merit-based raises, annual wage adjustments, and a comprehensive benefits package including health, vision, dental, life insurance, a 401(k) match, and paid

Qualifications

• Be a Step 10+ in the Oregon Registry Online (ORO) system.
• Be currently enrolled in Oregon's Central Background Registry.
• Meet the teacher-qualification criteria as outlined by the Office of Child Care requirements; may include a degree in Early Childhood Education (or equivalent) preferred.
• At least 4+ years of experience managing staff.
• At least 4+ years of experience teaching.
• Experience with Microsoft Office applications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide care and educational support for a consistent group of children.
• Foster a safe, engaging, and child-centered learning environment.
• Design and implement developmentally appropriate activities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with families, ensuring clear and supportive communication.
• Participate in ongoing professional development, deliver coaching and training, and contribute to a positive workplace culture.
• Manage a team of teaching staff and classrooms.
• Track, manage, and log team progress and development.

Skills

Step 10+ in ORO

Teaching experience

Staff management

Education

ECE degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

POSTING TITLE: Education Specialist

Join Our Team at ChildRoots

Are you an experienced early childhood educator and administrator looking to inspire young minds and build lasting connections? Do you believe in fostering a sense of wonder and curiosity in children while working in a supportive, co-teaching environment?

ChildRoots, a small family of locally and woman-owned childcare centers in Portland, Oregon, is seeking, a Step 10+ Education Specialist to work 5 days/40 hours per week (1.0 FTE). Since 2007, our progressive, play-based schools have focused on guiding children's social and emotional development while encouraging exploration and inquiry. Our awe-inspiring classrooms are designed to provoke curiosity, but it is our Teachers who make ChildRoots truly outstanding.

About the Role

An Education Specialist at ChildRoots works Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day, offering support, coaching, guidance, and management for teaching teams of classrooms of either infants (zero to two), toddlers (two to three) and/or preschool-age students (three and up). This role is perfect for former educators and current administrators who:

• Value collaborative classroom environments that focus on child-led learning and inquiry.
• Have a strong understanding of child development and pedagogy theory.
• Are passionate about mentoring adult learners and guiding them through child development.
• Have a strong dedication to teamwork and collaboration.

Compensation & Benefits

At ChildRoots, we value fair, predictable compensation. Education Specialists start at $33.15/hour.

And receive:

• Standardized annual merit-based raises and annual PFA wage adjustments
• Long-term commitment bonuses to incentivize teachers to remain with their cohort

Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Health & Vision Insurance – majority employer-paid
• Dental Insurance – majority employer-paid
• Life Insurance – 100% employer-paid
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Generous company match
• Paid Time Off – Including holidays, a weeklong Winter Break, and professional development opportunities

Responsibilities

• Provide care and educational support for a consistent group of children.
• Foster a safe, engaging, and child-centered learning environment.
• Design and implement developmentally appropriate activities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with families, ensuring clear and supportive communication.
• Participate in ongoing professional development, deliver coaching and training, and contribute to a positive workplace culture.
• Manage a team of teaching staff and classrooms.
• Track, manage, and log team progress and development.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Be a Step 10+ in the Oregon Registry Online (ORO) system
• Be currently enrolled in Oregon's Central Background Registry (or begin the process and complete it upon receiving confirmation)
• Meet the teacher-qualification criteria as outlined by the Office of Child Care requirements, which may include:
  • Previous experience in a structured childcare environment.
  • Completion of college-level courses in early childhood education-related subjects.
    • Degree in Early Childhood Education (or equivalent) preferred.
  • Complete Oregon’s Safety Set Trainings and required certifications:
    • Pediatric CPR/First Aid Course (hybrid or fully in-person)
    • Oregon Food Handler's Card (online course)
    • Introduction to Child Care Health & Safety (online course)
    • Recognizing & Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect (online course)
    • Prevention is Better than Treatment (online course)
    • Safe Sleep for Oregon's Infants (online course)
• At least 4+ years of experience managing staff preferred.
• At least 4+ years of experience teaching.
• Experience with Microsoft Office applications preferred.

Our Work Culture

At ChildRoots, we believe that children are authentic, powerful individuals. Our mission is to guide their social and emotional development and to foster a sense of wonder about the world around them. We know that teaching is more than just meeting physical needs—it is about understanding each child’s unique experience and supporting them on their journey. We also understand that a successful school depends on supported, valued educators. Our workplace culture emphasizes stability, emotional support, and a collaborative environment where every teacher is seen and appreciated. Join Our Team!

To work with us, you must be teacher-qualified and currently enrolled in Oregon's Central Background Registry.

These easy, online trainings are required within 30 days of hire:

• Pediatric CPR/First Aid Course
• Oregon Food Handler's Card
• Introduction to Child Care Health & Safety online course
• Recognizing & Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect online course
• Prevention is Better than Treatment online course
• Safe Sleep for Oregon's Infants online course

The challenges of COVID reminded us how vital it is to center our employees’ well-being. We know we still have much to do to be the BEST place to work in child care in Portland, but that’s what we’re working toward.

All employees are eligible for:

• 1-3 weeks of Paid Time Off per year, depending on how long they've been with ChildRoots.
• 25 paid holidays and all-school days off
• Company-provided continuing education
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with generous company match and 100%, immediate vesting

Full-time employees are eligible to enroll in our insurance plans, including:

• Providence Health, including vision, naturopathic, chiropractic, acupuncture, AND massage
• Principal or Willamette Dental

We value commitment and invite you to stay with us for at least a year.

To learn more about us, explore our website, take a virtual tour of our facilities, and review our COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines.

We're a pro-vaccination community and require all employees and enrolled parents to be fully vaccinated against COVID. We still practice extraordinary safety protocols like daily health checks, masks, stable groups, and extra cleaning, and will do so for as long as it takes to keep our community safe.

Thank you for your consideration. We hope to hear from you!