Skagit Valley College exists to expand opportunities and horizons for students and to strengthen the communities in which they live by welcoming and valuing diverse learners, providing quality education and support, and contributing leadership and service. In alignment with this mission, Skagit/Island Head Start builds strong foundations for lifelong learning through family-centered, child-focused partnerships that support children and families, including those experiencing homelessness, poverty, foster care, or child protective system involvement, and other life stressors.

Head Start is a federal program that has served vulnerable children and families for more than half a century and is committed to providing inclusive, nurturing environments where children are not expelled or excluded due to behavioral concerns, disabilities, or special needs. Instead, individualized support ensures that all children are prepared to enter kindergarten healthy and ready to learn. Center staff play a key role in supporting the needs of all children and families while collaborating with community partners to help build stronger communities.

The Opportunity: Under the direction of the lead teacher, this position provides a variety of support to the daily routines and activities of a compliant and developmentally appropriate early childhood center. Working in an early learning center always requires prioritizing children’s health and safety. This role requires the ability to see and hear children and staff, work indoors and outdoors in varying conditions, and perform frequent physical activities such as sitting, standing, walking, bending, and lifting children up to 50 pounds (see Working Conditions). You will be assigned to a primary center location within the specified area, and may be moved on a temporary basis, or reassigned to a primary location within that same specified area if required to support program operations and effective centers. Travel to other locations will be required for some pre-scheduled meetings and training.

The center for this position is the Sue Krienen Early Learning Center, located at 2011 N Laventure Rd, Mount Vernon, WA 98273, USA. Travel to other locations will be required for some pre-scheduled meetings and trainings. This is a 10.8-month, 38 hours per week position.

Application materials will be accepted until the position is 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.

Ensure a safe, nurturing, welcoming, and developmentally appropriate environment

• Provide continuous active supervision as established in the center’s Active Supervision Plan;
• Welcome children, parents, and all visitors to the classroom; encourage parents, interns, volunteers, and visitors to participate in classroom activities;
• Use positive and intentional language to engage children and facilitate play in support of classroom plans and developmental goals;
• Support embedded strategies and practices within classroom routines and activities to promote all children’s progress toward school readiness goals, including children with Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and dual language learners;
• Support the set-up and maintenance of a well-organized, interesting, and safe classroom environment;
• Interact with staff, therapists, volunteers, and parents in a positive and professional manner;
• During the absence of the teacher, lead children and adults through daily routines and schedules, offering direction and support as needed, and as assigned.

• Conduct playground safety checks, as assigned;
• Conduct daily health checks for children upon arrival, as assigned;
• Assist children with toileting needs, including diapering;
• Support daily meal routines by distributing and serving meals, sitting with children to model appropriate mealtime behaviors, and engaging in social conversations that build connections and support language development;
• Support classroom meal preparation and clean-up, including dishes;
• Clean and sanitize assigned areas, surfaces, and materials as needed, including cots, sheets, towels, and other laundered items;
• Empty garbage cans and clean bathrooms and classroom furnishings, as assigned;
• Administer first aid and respond to medical emergencies as they arise; complete incident reports as required and be available to discuss incidents with parents;
• In the absence or at the direction of the lead teacher or center manager, administer prescribed or approved non-prescribed medications, as authorized. Document as required;
• Support the individualized health and mental health needs of each child, including behavioral needs;
• Be prepared to support a variety of tasks within the center, including food preparation (assisting in the kitchen) and other operational services, as needed, and as assigned.

• Participate in classroom planning sessions with the classroom teaching team;
• Participate in center team meetings and quarterly family reviews;
• Support the ongoing collection of observational data related to the GOLD assessment;
• Document attendance and meal service, as assigned;
• Support the completion of developmental and/or behavioral screenings within required program timelines;
• Support center parent committee meetings, training, education visits, and other family activities.

• Complete annual requirements, including required training (Bloodborne Pathogens, CPS, Active Supervision, Food Handlers, Right Response, USDA), and sign the Confidentiality Statement and Code of Conduct & Ethical Standards forms;
• Engage in program training, coaching, and other professional development activities to enhance job skills and knowledge, completing at a minimum the required 15 hours of classroom-related training each year;
• Maintain good attendance to support optimal child outcomes;
• Complete ongoing job-related program and personal documentation in an accurate and timely manner, including ctcLink time reporting and program surveys;
• Participate in program committees, as desired.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma;
• Fluency in English;
• Experience in an early learning classroom setting equal to one (1) year.

• Washington State Early Childhood Education (ECE) Initial, Short or Full Certificate or an Associate’s Degree (AA) in Early Childhood Education;
• Oral and written fluency in English and Spanish;
• Experience working with children with an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Salary and Benefits:

• Salary is based on Range 36, Step A, $3,327 per month with periodic increments to $4,300 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.

• A MERIT background check including fingerprints through the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF);
• 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;
• 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.