Lead Teacher – Preschool (Early Childhood Program Specialist 3)

Greater Spokane Incorporated; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 49,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Colleges of Spokane is seeking a Lead Teacher – Preschool (ECPS3) to manage the classroom and implement the educational curriculum for Head Start preschoolers. The role includes family outreach, home visits, and supporting compliance with HS performance standards.

You will work under the Center Manager to ensure a high-quality learning environment, assess child progress, and guide student teachers as needed. The position starts at the entry salary step with annual step increases.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Human Development, or closely related field with coursework related to early childhood education.
• Knowledge of early childhood theory, development, and assessment, with ability to plan and implement curriculum.
• Ability to obtain 30 hours of STARS basic training or provide exemption.

Responsibilities

• Establish a safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for preschoolers.
• Partner with parents to support child development goals and create CIP/IFSP/IEP plans as needed.
• Implement curriculum responsive to children's needs and maintain records per laws.
• Provide primary caregiving that is nurturing, engaging, and culturally sensitive.

Skills

Child development knowledge

Communication skills

Multi-tasking

Parental engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or closely related field

Job description

Lead Teacher – Preschool (Early Childhood Program Specialist 3)

Lead Teacher – Preschool (Early Childhood Program Specialist 3)

Community Colleges of Spokane

Location: HS Northeast Community Center

Department: DIT HS Northeast Community Center

Salary Range: $4,406 - $5,928

Work Schedule: 9.5-Month Cyclic Schedule

Starting salary for this position is: $4,406 (Monthly)

Employees hired at the entry step of this range receive salary step advancement after six months and every 12 months thereafter. An employee hired at anything higher than the entry step of the range will have salary step advancement after 12 months and every 12 months thereafter until they reach the top of the salary range. Each salary step advancement will be approximately a 5% increase.

Applications will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. PST on 09/22/2026. The application process will not be available after this time. To ensure consideration make sure your application is completed and submitted as soon as possible. Applications will only be accepted prior to 4:00 p.m. on the closing date.

About the Lead Teacher - Preschool (Early Childhood Program Specialist 3)

Under general supervision of the Center Manager, the Head Start (HS) Early Childhood Program Specialist 3 (ECPS3) is responsible for implementing the educational curriculum and the general operation of an early childhood classroom and providing support services to preschoolers and their families, including home visits, as defined by HS Performance Standards and applicable state and local laws and regulations. Also, this position may provide feedback and evaluate the progress of student teachers in an early childhood classroom setting.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Establish and maintain a safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate learning environment that promote children's' cognitive, social, emotional and physical development and reflects the changing needs of infants/toddlers and or preschoolers. *


• Partner with parents to support child development goals. Develop, individualize, and implement appropriate early childhood curriculum Child Individual Plans (CIP) that meets Performance Standards. Facilitate appropriate parenting skills. Support Part C services (birth to three), for Individual Family Services Plans (IFSP) and/or Individual Education Plans (IEP) for preschoolers. *


• Implement education curriculum that is responsive to children's needs and interests. Demonstrate effective teacher child interactions that support whole child development. Provide child primary caregiving that is engaging, responsive, attentive, consistent, nurturing, supportive, and culturally sensitive. *


• Assess individual children' level of development to inform curriculum development and individualize teaching for each child's level of development; maintain a hard copy and electronic record keeping system in accordance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations. *

* Indicates this is an essential duty.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Human Development, or closely related field with coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education social sciences, from an accredited institution.


• Knowledge of early childhood education theory and practices, including child development, developmentally appropriate practices, primary caregiving, observation and ongoing assessment, individualizing, planning, special services, referrals, developing and maintaining a classroom environment and routines, and child management.


• Knowledge of the impacts of complex trauma on family systems.


• Knowledge of appropriate techniques for diapering, sanitation, napping, feeding, and toilet training.


• Ability to understand and utilize data in decision-making and program implementation.


• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally.


• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.


• Must be able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.


• First aid/CPR (as available through Spokane Colleges)


• Ability to obtain 30 hours of STARS basic training or provide proof of exemption.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Two or more years of experience working with children birth to five years of age.


• Experience with primary caregiving, and attachment and bonding theory.


• Previous experience with HS/EHS or working with low-income families from a variety of cultural groups, especially English as a Second Language (ESL).


• Basic computer skills, including e-mail and word processing.


• Previous experience with Teaching Strategies Gold and Creative Curriculum tools.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work without assistive equipment that may compromise or interfere with the physical safety of children & staff in the learning environment.


• Work is equally performed in indoor temperature-controlled office environment, and outdoor uncontrolled elements.


• Frequent use of computers and exposure to terminal screens.


• Visual focus and strain.


• Frequent repetitive hand/wrist motions and finger manipulation.


• Frequent oral and auditory communication with others.


• Frequent kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, climbing and twisting.


• Move up to 25 lbs. frequently and up to 50 lbs. occasionally.


• Requires communication ability necessary to understand instructions and recognize hazardous, unsafe or poisonous materials and/or products.


• Occasional exposure to fumes, dust, odors and/or biohazards.


• Work is active in nature.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• 9.5-Month Cyclic Schedule (40-hours a week).


• 6-month probationary period.


• This position is overtime eligible.


• Post-Offer medical exam which includes tuberculin screening and submission of documentation indicating Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) vaccination or immunity.


• Pre-Employment Post Offer, criminal history/child abuse information check including Department of Children, Youth and Families Portable Background Check prior to employment.


• Valid Food Workers Card (as available through Washington State Department of Health).


• First Aid/CPR certification (or ability to obtain when training offered by Spokane Colleges)


• May require local or regional travel.


• Criminal background check is required.


• This position is covered under a collective bargaining agreement. Membership is optional.

Person hired must be able to provide acceptable documentation of U.S. Citizenship or lawful authorization to work in the United States. This is an absolute condition of employment. An offer of employment will not carry with it any responsibility or obligation on the part of the district to sponsor an H1-B visa. In addition, the Spokane Colleges maintain a drug-free work environment and prohibits all smoking in the college buildings and state-owned vehicles. Must be able to successfully work in and promote a multicultural work and education environment.

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. Once an applicant is chosen for a position, they are required to complete and submit a declaration regarding sexual misconduct and investigation per state law.

Equal Opportunity Institution

Spokane Colleges provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, age, sex, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, disability, veteran or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal. Spokane Colleges complies with applicable federal and state civil rights laws, including Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Washington state nondiscrimination laws.

Direct all inquiries or grievances regarding access, Title IX, ADA, equal opportunity compliance, and/or grievances to:
Frederick Davis, MA
Chief Human Resources Officer
Spokane Colleges
P.O. Box 6000, MS1004
Spokane, WA. 99217-6000
509-434-5040 / mailto:[e-mail].