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 Lead Teacher 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 9.5 months per year, 36 hours per week. All positions work in person at their assigned center. The center for this position is the Anacortes Site, located at 2210 H Ave., Anacortes, WA 98221. 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.

Direct classroom activities and routines

• Provide continuous active supervision as established in the site’s Active Supervision Plan;
• Welcome children, parents, and all visitors to the classroom;
• Ensure safe release of children according to policy regulations;
• Conduct playground safety checks;
• Engage children and facilitate play to support developmental goals you set with parents and the classroom team and align with the program’s ongoing assessment. Ensure embedded strategies and practices you have planned are implemented throughout the day;
• Use positive and strengths-based 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 to create and implement plans for IEP goal support;
• Lead the children and staff through the daily schedule and provide direction, as needed. This includes interns, volunteers, and substitute teachers;
• Provide daily meal routines for children, including helping to distribute and serve meals, sitting at the table to model appropriate mealtime behaviors, and having social conversations that build connection and provide language modeling;
• Assist children with toileting needs, including changing diapers;
• Provide daily health checks for children upon arrival;
• May empty garbage cans and clean bathrooms as well as classroom furnishings;
• Clean and sanitize assigned areas, surfaces, and materials.
• Administer first aid and handle medical emergencies as they arise;
• Administer prescribed or approved non-prescribed medications following Individual Care Plans.

• Plan and set up an organized, nurturing, and safe classroom that is developmentally appropriate;
• Plan embedded strategies and practices for classroom routines and activities to support all children’s progress toward goals, including children with IEP goals, and dual language learners;
• Plan for and engage parents, interns, volunteers, and visitors to participate in classroom activities; mentor interns and team members in partnership with the education coordinator and coach;
• Flexible task allocation: be prepared to support various tasks within the site, including food services and other operational services as needed.

• Lead classroom planning session with the classroom teaching team, using program curriculum and current child data;
• Document planning and individualization of children using Smart Teach;
• Document attendance and meal service;
• Participate in site team meetings and child/family staffing;
• Plan and provide direction to the teaching team for the ongoing collection of observational data related to GOLD assessment;
• Complete developmental and/or behavioral screenings within the required timeline;
• Document child information, including observational data, into GOLD online and individualization in ELMS;
• Provide three (3) educational visits for each family.

• Complete annual requirements, including modules for Blood Borne Pathogens, CPS, Active Supervision, and CACFP/Health, sign staff Acknowledgement forms, which include 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 20 hours of classroom-related trainings each year;
• Maintain reliability in the program assessment tool;
• Maintain good attendance in order 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.

• Backfill to support the site’s operational needs;
• Special projects;
• Participate in all services/training.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree in ECE or related field with ECE credits equivalent to the WA State ECE certificate, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Experience in an early learning classroom setting equal to three (3) years;
• Fluency in English orally and written.

• Associate's Degree in ECE or related field with ECE credits equivalent to the WA State ECE certificate;
• Bachelor's Degree in ECE or related field with ECE credits equivalent to the WA State ECE certificate;
• Experience working with children with an Individual Educational Plan (IEP).
• Bilingual English and Spanish orally and written.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• State and local regulations relating to Skagit Valley College ECEAP;
• Early childhood education, including, but not limited to, ECEAP Performance Standards and Skagit Valley College Policies and Procedures;
• Early childhood education theory and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) best practices, including child development, developmentally appropriate practices for typically developing children and children with special needs, naturalistic and formal means of assessment, individualizing, planning, special services, referrals, developing and maintaining a classroom environment, routines, and classroom management;
• Family systems and dynamics;
• Issues relating to families in crises, such as child neglect or abuse, drug abuse, domestic violence, and the community resources available to protect children and support families in crises;
• Microsoft Office Software, especially 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’
• 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;
• Adapt approach, goals, and methods to achieve successful solutions and results in dynamic situations;
• Use appropriate techniques such as modeling, reflection, and instruction of support staff, children, and volunteers to maximize their success in the classroom;
• 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;
• Coordinate and lead large and small groups and create a cooperative and productive environment in which to resolve problems or develop and implement plans;
• Actively contribute to a work environment that embraces diversity and uses diverse perspectives to enhance the attainment of organizational goals;
• Use knowledge and understanding of the organizational climate to make decisions and take actions that contribute effectively to organizational goals;
• Use intelligence, common sense, and perseverance to solve difficult or complicated challenges;
• Critically observe and inspect products and environmental conditions to detect problematic situations;
• Understand and follow applicable laws, regulations, and other standards to establish and or maintain a safe work environment;
• Use judgment and critical thinking to infer appropriate meaning and form conclusions necessary to resolve the problem or issue in the absence of clear guidelines or information;
• Recognize the value of cultural, ethnic, gender, and other individual differences in people and create an environment of valuing, encouraging, and supporting differences;
• Effectively express ideas and information through the spoken and written word using language that is appropriate to both the complexity of the topic and the knowledge and understanding of the audience, which could include parents, non-English speaking families, school district staff, social workers, Skagit Valley College ECEAP staff, and Skagit Valley College staff.

Salary and Benefits:

• Salary is based on Range 48, Step A, $3,965.40 per month with periodic increments to $5,201.10 per month. The listed salary is based on the anticipated WPEA salary schedule effective July 1, 2026. The listed salary is also prorated to 90% FTE. 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);
• Proof of immunization for measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination OR proof of immunity from measles;
• 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;
  • 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;
• 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.
• 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.