Head Start - Early Childhood Program Specialist 2 (Skagit/Island County)

Do you have a passion for working with children from a variety of backgrounds? Do you have experience working in an Early Learning setting? If you would like to expand your career making a difference in the lives of young children and their families, we encourage you to learn more about the Head Start Early Childhood Program Specialist (ECPS) positions. We have multiple benefits-eligible openings at sites across Skagit and Island Counties for Teaching Assistant positions. We invite you to join a wonderful team of dedicated professionals, committed to preparing diverse children from low-income and eligible families for success in school and in life.
 
Head Start promotes the school readiness of young children from low-income families by providing comprehensive services in early learning, health, and family well-being. Head Start teachers and staff look at the child holistically, individualizing for the needs of each child. These positions provide assistance with high-quality early learning services while engaging in innovative practices and approaches that center on the children that Head Start serves.

Head Start is a federal program that has been serving vulnerable children and families for more than half 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.  Head Start classrooms do not expel or exclude children due to behavioral issues or disabilities and 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. Center staff will have a responsibility to support the needs of all children in their classrooms.

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. This in-classroom position will be assigned to a primary center location within the specified area and may be moved temporarily 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 trainings.

Head Start anticipates multiple openings between now and September 1, 2025. These are classified, benefits-eligible positions working 40 hours per week, 10, 11, or 12 months per year. There are 10 Head Start centers in Island and Skagit Counties that serve the following communities: Burlington, Mount Vernon, Sedro-Woolley, and Oak Harbor. Details regarding location and number of working months per year will be discussed during the interview stage.

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.

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. Engage parents, interns, volunteers, and visitors during classroom activities;
• 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 IFSP or 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 LEA or Part C, school district, or other therapist or community partners as part of your classroom team;
• Lead the children and staff through the daily schedule and provide direction to substitute teachers during the absence of the lead teacher.

• Clean and sanitize assigned areas, surfaces, and materials;
• Conduct playground safety checks;
• Support 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;
• Provide daily health checks as children arrive;
• Assist children with toileting needs, including changing diapers;
• May empty garbage cans and clean bathrooms, as well as classroom furnishings;
• Administer first aid and handle medical emergencies as they arise. In the absence of the teacher or by the direction of the teacher or center manager, administer prescribed or approved non-prescribed medications;
• Support the individualized health needs of each child;
• Flexible task allocation: Be prepared to support various tasks within the center, including food services and other operational services as needed.

• Understand and demonstrate Skagit Island Head Start values;
• Participate in classroom planning sessions with the classroom teaching team; 
• May lead planning if the lead teacher is out for one to three weeks;
• Document attendance and meal service;
• Assist the lead teacher by entering observational data into GOLD online, documenting planning, and may document educational visits in ChildPlus;
• Aid and support in the ongoing collection of observational data related to GOLD assessment;
• Aid and support the completion of developmental and/or behavioral screenings within the program required timeline;
• Participate in center team meetings and family reviews;
• Provide mentorship for other classroom assistants and interns;
• Support center parent committee meetings, trainings, and other family activities.

• Complete annual requirements including modules for Blood Borne Pathogens, CPS, Active Supervision, Food Handlers, Right Response, and USDA, sign Confidentiality Statement, Code of Conduct & Ethical Standards forms;
• 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 training each year;
• Maintain good attendance in order to optimize child outcomes;
• Complete ongoing job-related program/personal documentation (not GOLD or ChildPlus) in an accurate and timely manner, including ctcLink time reporting, program surveys, etc.;
• Participate in program committees, as desired.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school completion or GED;

• Child Development Associate Credential (CDA), or Washington Initial Certificate in Early Childhood, or a written education plan to complete the certificate within two (2) years of hire;

• Experience in an early learning setting equal to two (2) years;

• OR equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Fluent in English

• Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or related field with Early Childhood Education credits equivalent to the WA State Early Childhood Education certificate;

• Experience working with children with an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Program (IEP);

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Salary and Benefits:

• Salary is based on Range 36, Step D, $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.

• 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.