ECEAP is a state funded program that has been serving vulnerable children and families for more than a quarter of a century. We serve people experiencing homelessness, poverty, involvement in the foster system or child protective system, or any other family stressors that qualifying families may be experiencing. ECEAP classrooms do not expel or exclude children due to behavioral issues or disabilities or special needs of any kind. We recognize instead that individualizing for the specific needs of every child in a nurturing and supportive environment is how we best help all children reach kindergarten healthy and ready to learn. Site staff will have a responsibility to support the needs of all children in their classrooms.

The Opportunity: The Assistant Teacher (Early Childhood Program Specialist 2) position will provide a healthy and safe inclusive classroom and contribute to the educational learning experience in accordance with Performance Standards and SVC ECEAP Policy and Procedures. This staff position will work with the classroom team, all coordinators, parents, and school district staff to provide all aspects of child and classroom routines and activities. These positions will work under the general direction of the ECEAP Education Coordinator while engaging in innovative practices and approaches that center on the children that ECEAP serves .

This is a classified, benefits-eligible position working 8.5 months. There is one (1) vacancy for this position. All positions work in person at their assigned center. The center for this position is North Whidbey Site and Main Office (Oak Harbor), located at 1051 NE 21st Court, Oak Harbor, WA 98277. Travel to other locations will be required for some pre-scheduled meetings and trainings.

Application materials will be accepted until all positions are filled. Applications may be kept on file to be considered for openings that may occur in the future.

This position is grant-funded. The extension of the position is dependent on the continuation of funding.

The Location: Skagit Valley College is on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish People’s, especially on Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, Samish Indian Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe, and Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe. Located in a geographically diverse region between the dynamic metropolitan hubs of Seattle and Vancouver, BC, SVC is never far from world-class outdoor recreation, urban arts scenes, and local cultural events. SVC serves our local communities with a campus in Mount Vernon, Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island, and centers in Friday Harbor, a Marine Technology Center in Anacortes, and a Brewing Academy in Burlington.

Mission: Skagit Valley College cultivates student learning and achievement; contributes to the educational, personal, and economic success of students; and promotes equitable and thriving communities.

Vision: The primary focus of Skagit Valley College is student-centered teaching and learning. We are committed to:

• Equitable student outcomes in access, achievement, and community;
• Our Guiding Principles;
• Decisions based on strategy and evidence;
• The development of our employees;
• A diverse and inclusive college community where everyone belongs.

• An unrelenting focus on our mission to improve the lives of our students and to strengthen our diverse community.
• Support for innovative teaching, learning, and scholarship.
• Exciting opportunities for personal and career growth.
• Diverse cultural and environmental benefits of rural, suburban, and urban lifestyles.
• Friendly, supportive, and diverse work environments.
• Excellent benefits include competitive leave packages and an array of health, dental, vision, and retirement plans to meet your current and future needs.

Daily Classroom and Site Support

• Help ensure a healthy, safe, nurturing, welcoming and developmentally appropriate environment;
• Provide continuous active supervision as established in site's Active Supervision Plan;
• Welcome children, parents and all visitors to the classroom;
• Engage parents, interns, volunteers and visitors during classroom activities;
• May assist in conducting playground safety checks;
• Engage children and facilitate play to support developmental goals;
• Support embedded strategies and practices with classroom routines and activities to support all children's progress toward school readiness goals, including children with IEP goals, and dual language learners;
• Use positive and intentional language with children. Interact with parents and staff in a positive and professional manner;
• Work collaboratively with any school district or other therapist or community partners as part of your classroom team;
• Support the children and staff through the daily schedule and provide direction to substitute teachers during the absence of the lead teacher;
• Flexible tasks allocation: be prepared to support various tasks within the center including food services and other operational services as needed.

• Assist in ensuring that children are involved in activities suited to their immediate emotional, social, cognitive, and physical needs;
• Participate in educational activities under the direction of the lead teacher;
• Observe each child’s development and discuss this with the lead teacher;
• Assist with the child’s self-help skills;
• Assist children in taking responsibility for the equipment, materials they use, and the outdoor equipment;
• Use positive and intentional language when communicating with children and model appropriate behaviors.

• Clean and sanitize assigned areas, surfaces and materials;
• Support daily meal routines for children, including helping to distribute and serve meals, sitting at the table to model appropriate meal time behaviors and have social conversations;
• Assist children with toileting needs, including changing diapers;
• Empty garbage cans and clean bathrooms as well as classroom furnishings;
• Assist with daily health checks;
• Administer first aid and handle medical emergencies as they arise;
• In the absence of the teacher or by the direction of the teacher, administer prescribed or approved non-prescribed medications following Individual Care Plans.

• Complete annual requirements including modules for Blood Borne Pathogens, CPS, Active Supervision, and CACFP/Health, sign staff Acknowledgement forms which includes: Attendance and Punctuality, Confidentiality Statement, Code of Conduct & Ethical Standards;
• Engage in program trainings, coaching and other professional development activities to enhance job skills and knowledge, completing at a minimum, a required 15 hours of classroom related trainings each year;
• Maintain reliability in program assessment tool;
• Maintain good attendance to optimize child outcomes;
• Complete ongoing job-related program/personal documentation in an accurate and timely manner, including ctcLink time reporting, program surveys, etc;
• Participate in program committees, as desired.

• Special Projects;
• Back fill act as lead teacher when lead teacher is not present.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A current Child Development Associate Certificate (CDA) in Early Childhood Education awarded by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition, OR equivalent of 30 college quarter credits in early childhood education OR a combination of education and experience;
• One (1) year of experience in an early childhood program .

• Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field with Early Childhood Education credits equivalent to the WA State Early Childhood Education certificate;
• Experience working with children with an Individualize Education Plan (IEP);
• Bilingual - English/Spanish.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Early childhood education (three-to-five) including developmentally appropriate practices, assessment, maintaining a classroom environment, classroom routines and positive classroom management;
• Microsoft Office Software, Word, Excel, Outlook, TEAMS and the Internet.

• Communicate, in writing and orally, in English, with a variety of people in a friendly, knowledgeable and professional manner;
• Work in an inclusive classroom setting with children of all abilities;
• Respect and maintain confidentiality;
• Read, understand and interpret official documentation;
• Accept personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work;
• Adapt easily to changing program needs, conditions and work responsibilities;
• Plan and manage time effectively and coordinate activities, services and schedules to ensure smooth and efficient operation of work;
• Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to learning and self-improvement;
• Earn the trust, respect and confidence of staff, children, families and community partners by consistent honesty, forthrightness and professionalism in all interactions;
• Actively support staff, children, and families to provide them with information, techniques, instruction, feedback and encouragement to maximize their success;
• Actively contribute to a work environment that embraces diversity and uses diverse perspectives to enhance the attainment of organizational goals;
• Recognize the value of cultural, ethnic, gender and other individual differences in people and create an environment of valuing, encouraging and supporting differences;
• Understand and follow applicable laws, ECEAP performance standards, regulations and other standards to establish and or maintain a safe work environment for staff and children;
• Effectively communicate information for the purpose of having others learn, understand, and apply specific principles, techniques, or information using language that is appropriate to both the complexity of the topic and knowledge and understanding of the audience.

Salary and Benefits:

• Salary is based on Range 36, Step A, $3,167 per month with periodic increments to $4,093 per month. Starting salary may be dependent on education, qualifications, and experience. Salary and benefits are subject to change in accordance with legislative mandates and collective bargaining agreements.
• This position is eligible for overtime pay in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and is dependent upon continued grant funding.
• This is a union-represented position subject to a collective bargaining agreement.
• Retirement, medical, and insurance benefits are provided in accordance with state regulations. Additional information on benefits can be found at https://fortress.wa.gov/hca/pebbhealthplan/compare.aspx.

1. Meet the minimum qualifications and;
2. Submit a complete application to the online recruitment system at www.skagit.eduthat includes the following:
   • The online application, which includes answers to all supplemental questions and contact information for at least three (3) professional references;
   • A current resume; (Attachment: Resume);
   • A letter of interest addressing the minimum, desired qualifications, and your education and experience as it supports the responsibilities of this position; (Attachment: Cover Letter).

• Prior to employment, the candidate must pass a criminal background check;
• If hired you will be required to provide proof that you are either 1) a U.S. citizen, or 2) an immigrant whose status permits you to lawfully work in this country;
• A MERIT background check including fingerprints through the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF);
• Within 30 days of hire, have or obtain the following:
  • an initial health examination indicating freedom from communicable diseases;
  • proof of a Tuberculosis (TB) test taken within 12 months prior to the initial employment date;
  • proof of immunization for measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination OR proof of immunity from measles;
  • CPR/First Aid card;
  • a current Food Handlers permit;
• Candidates who do not meet the minimum educational requirement must successfully complete a Professional Development Plan to attain the educational requirement in accordance with the timeline outlined in the plan;
• Meet all federally mandated requirements related to the Head Start program, including but not limited to continuing educational requirements and all Washington State laws and College policies related to the Head Start program and SVC employment;
• Have, or ability to obtain by the time of hire, a Washington State driver's license or equivalent, and proof of auto insurance;
• Prior to employment, 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.
  
  Additionally, pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080, applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or are currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicant’s current or past employer. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who refuses to declare the existence or non-existence of an investigation or findings subject to this statute.

• In the interest of providing a healthy, safe, and secure educational and work environment, and in order to meet the requirements of federal legislation, it is the policy of Skagit Valley College to maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace for our employees and students.
• If hired you will be required to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. Citizenship or appropriate authorization to work in this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986.
• This classification is included in the classified staff bargaining unit, represented by the Washington Public Employees Association, WPEA. Membership in the WPEA within thirty (30) calendar days of appointment at this classification is a requisite for employment at Skagit Valley College under union shop requirements.