Early Childhood Program Specialist 2

Position Title Early Childhood Program Specialist 2 Working Title ECPS 2 Location Olympia EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or status as a protected veteran. For more information regarding Evergreen's non-discrimination policies or to report discrimination, please visit the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity webpage at www.evergreen.edu/equalopportunity or contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Officer at (360) 867-5371, Room 3102 Library Building, 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW, Olympia, WA 98505.

Union Represented Yes Overtime Eligible Yes Monthly FTE 1.0 Salary Step (minimum monthly amount) $3,105.00 Salary Step (maximum monthly amount) $4,112.00 Cyclic Position No Cyclic Details n/a Project Position No End Date n/a Special Note Position Purpose Nature and Scope Essential Functions

• In consultation with higher level staff and Center Director, guide individual and groups of children ages one month through pre-k in daily routines of developmentally appropriate curricula including engaging the five senses, inter- and intra-personal skills, creativity, curiosity, internal discipline, well-placed trust, fine and gross motor development, cognitive skills, care of self, as well as eating, resting and smooth transitions;
• In accordance with National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation standards, Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) Foundational Quality Standards for Early Learning Programs (FQS), DCYF Early Achievers standards, and TESC Children's Center philosophy, maintain child guidance practices, policies and procedures.
• In consultation with other teachers, develop and implement learning experiences for children based on observations of children's interests and developmental needs.
• Arrange and maintain comfortable, orderly, healthy and safe indoor and outdoor environments in accordance with program and DCYF licensing standards.
• In accordance with CACFP standards, serve and clean up snacks and meals and assist children in learning to feed themselves, model table manners and conversations skills.
• Ensure that children are involved in activities suited to their immediate emotional, social, intellectual and physical needs and provide ample activity options to children.
• Assist children in taking responsibility for equipment and materials they use and in being considerate of others.
• Prepare, present and clean-up projects and activities such as art projects, stories, songs, outdoor activities and bulletin boards.
• Prepare materials to promote program, such as class parent handbook and class student staff handbook.
• Model appropriate behavior and peaceful conflict resolution skills with children and adults.
• Observe, record, and document individual children's interests and development to share with parents and to be used for planning and to track children's achievement of developmental milestones.
• Upon consultation with higher level staff and/or Center Director, confer with parents should the value of a developmental screening arise.
• Complete scoring rubrics such as the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) or the Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scale (ITERS).
• Establish and maintain productive working relationships with families regardless of approach to child development such as: welcome families and children daily, communicate regularly, offer families support and provide child development information as requested.
• Confer daily with other teachers, student teachers and volunteers to clearly define roles and responsibilities for the day's activities, share relevant program and family information.
• Provide on the job training and mentoring to staff whose skill sets are in an earlier stage of development, such as volunteers, student staff and temporary employees.
• Maintain program communication concerning children and families through conferences with other program staff as needed.
• Participate in weekly staff meetings to review needs of individual children and program as a whole, plan to meet these needs and coordinate group activities that affect other staff.
• Maintain confidentiality of written, oral and observed information about children, families and staff involved in program.
• Administer prescribed medications and first aid and handle medical emergencies as they arise.
• Maintain awareness of children's activities by visual and auditory means.
• Assist with presentation and clean-up of materials, meals, and activities.
• Attend to the hygiene/toileting needs of children.
• Complete clerical tasks such as using internet and lending library to find resources, use online leave system, check and respond to email, use phone including answering machine and transfer calls, maintain attendance records and USDA meal count sheets, etc.
• Oversee the maintenance and completion of attendance records both manually and electronically.
• Assist in cleaning, housekeeping tasks and educational equipment maintenance and repair as needed.
• Courteously receive visitors and answer telephone inquiries explaining program philosophy, procedures and routines.
• Open and/or close the Center, act as designated Person in Charge and work evening and weekends as needed.

Additional Duties Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Ability to successfully foster a respectful, collaborative working and learning environment with diverse populations (e.g., socio-economic, parenting styles, age, gender, personalities, etc.).
• Ability to comply with ethical code as outlined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), which reads, in part, "In a caring, cooperative workplace, human dignity is respected, professional satisfaction is promoted, and positive relationships are modeled. Based on our core values, our primary responsibility in this area is to establish and maintain settings and relationships that support productive work and meet professional needs. The same ideals that apply to children are inherent in our responsibilities to adults."
• Ability to maintain and demonstrate consistent emotional maturity and stability.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective communication with children and adults.
• Ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Ability and willingness to work with children ages one month through pre-k.
• Ability and skill in properly administering medications and first aid.
• Ability to use paper-based tracking systems.
• Ability to successfully complete scoring rubrics, assessment systems, or evaluations.
• Ability to mentor and direct the work of others.
• Ability to understand and respect viewpoints of stakeholders such as other teachers, college officials, budget officers and other members of the college community.
• Ability to demonstrate patience and enthusiasm in areas such as child development and mentoring/training student staff and volunteers.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability and willingness to serve snacks and meals to meet varying dietary needs.
• Skill and ability to record and document children's development and progress using manual and electronic record keeping.
• Ability to use standard office equipment including personal computer, copier, fax, telephone, etc.
• Skill and ability to use the internet and computer software such as Microsoft Word and Outlook.
• Physical Demands:
  • Essential - Ability to lift children weighing up to 40 pounds repeatedly, for instance, up to 20 diaper changes every two hours.
  • Frequently - Standing, walking, sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, squatting, crawling, twisting, bending, talking, hearing (ordinary conversation and other sounds), and using full range of vision.
  • Occasional - Climb step stools and reach for things in front of body.

• Environmental Conditions:
  • Frequently - Indoors, outdoors, dust, noise, environmentally approved disinfectant fumes, and odors associated with young children.
  • Rarely - Extreme heat, extreme cold, heights.

Minimum Qualifications Desired Qualifications

• Experience working in a classroom environment with children one month through pre-kindergarten.
• Experience mentoring or training staff, volunteers, or interns who have less experience in childcare.

Conditions of Employment

• Must provide proof of identity and employment eligibility within three days of beginning work.
• This position is part of a bargaining unit and covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
• 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.
• Prior to an official offer of employment, a Declaration Regarding Sexual Misconduct form must be submitted to the college per RCW 28B.112.080. The college will contact current and past employers to verify this information. Applicants who provide inaccurate information in their declaration will be disqualified and, if the inaccuracies are discovered after the applicant has been hired, it shall be grounds for termination.
• In accordance with DCYF Foundational Quality Standards for Early Learning Programs, the following are required prior to beginning employment:
  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Have earned a high school diploma or equivalent
  • Possess a completed DCYF Portable Background Check
  • A negative TB test that is less than one year old
  • Have completed all required trainings required by DCYF in order to be left alone with children and as outlined in WAC 110-300-0100, WAC 110-300-0105, and WAC 110-300-0106
  • Have a current infant/Child/Adult CPR and First Aid Certification
  • Have a current Thurston County Food Handlers' Card
  • Proof of measles immunity

• Must successfully complete all DCYF required training/certification requirements.

Benefits

Posting Number S2023-095 Number of Vacancies 1 Open Date 11/13/2023 Close Date 12/04/2023 Special Instructions to Applicants