Early Childhood Program Specialist 1 -- Substitute

About the role

The Sophia Bremer Early Learning Academy provides quality, comprehensive early learning services for the Olympic College community. The Early Childhood Program Specialist 1 is the assistant teacher role in the classroom, which requires working with children who range in age from birth to 5.

Responsibilities

• Implement culturally responsive individual, small group, and large group activities based on the developmental needs of the children, which cultivate each child's sense of importance and belonging across indoor and outdoor settings, as directed by the lead teacher.
• Assist in the developmental assessment and screening of each child using program-approved tools and instruments to maintain a healthy, safe, and developmentally appropriate program.
• Model positive communication skills, positive guidance techniques, and nurturing qualities while promoting positive attachments between caregivers, children and families, consistent with program-approved best practices.
• Use and be knowledgeable of all educational equipment and supplies routinely used in the program, and maintain and request equipment and supplies through the director as necessary.
• Recognize parents as their child’s primary teachers and become familiar with family circumstances.
• Maintain positive, open communication that foregrounds a child’s strengths and assets, and developmental needs, while recognizing parents as their child’s primary teachers and becoming familiar with family circumstances.
• Encourage and support parental involvement in the classroom and all other educational opportunities.
• Provide opportunities for parents to learn about the growth and development of their child, including ways to increase connections between school and home.
• Maintain appropriate professionalism and confidentiality consistent with NAEYC ethics and professional standards.
• Support dual language families with classroom and program resources where necessary, with existing and emerging partnerships.
• Maintain professional, respectful, and productive relationships with parents, prospective families, and community partners.
• Collaborate and partner with external coaches, including those designated from Head Start, Early Head Start, Early Achievers, and Olympic Educational Service District 114.
• Support all necessary and relevant Head Start and Early Head Start requirements, such as ensuring student progress, complying with standard and conduct agreements, and documenting progress and observations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• One year of experience caring for children from birth to 5 years in a center-based program.
• One year of experience working with low-income families.

Skills

• Knowledge of substance abuse issues, child abuse, neglect, and domestic violence.
• Experience working with families from diverse cultures and ethnic backgrounds.
• Positive communication skills, positive guidance techniques, and nurturing qualities.
• Professionalism and confidentiality consistent with NAEYC ethics and professional standards.
• Collaboration and partnership skills.
• Microsoft Office proficiency.

Benefits

Deferred Compensation Program (DRS) retirement savings plan; TIAA supplemental retirement savings plan, sick leave, paid holidays, Aflac, space available tuition waiver, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), fitness center, reduced rate, and priority consideration for on-site childcare on a space available.

Pay

$17.40 - $20.94 hourly*

Schedule

This is an on-call position paying $17.40 - $20.94 per hour, working on an as-needed basis.