Early Childhood Program Specialist 1 (30 hours per week, 9.5 months)

Centralia College is located on a 30-acre campus in the heart of Centralia, Washington and has been serving students in the Lewis County region since 1925. As a comprehensive community college, Centralia College offers academic transfer and workforce programs, as well as adult basic education, ELL, and personal enrichment classes. The college also offers five Bachelor of Applied Science degrees: Information Technology - Application Development, Diesel Technology, Applied Management (Business), Behavioral Healthcare and Teacher Education.

In addition to the main campus in Centralia, Centralia College East in Morton is a smaller site that serves the needs of students in east Lewis County. Since the college is committed to the success of all students, Centralia College also provides educational programs at two corrections centers in southwest Washington - Garrett Heyns Education Center located in Shelton, Washington and the Cedar Creek Corrections Center located in Littlerock, Washington. In addition to Green Hill School in Chehalis, Washington. In total, the college serves more than 7,000 students annually. For more than 90 years, several generations of Lewis County residents have looked to Centralia College for their education and training needs.

For more information on Centralia College and what it can do for you, please call 360-736-9391 or visit www.centralia.edu.

To assist the Lead Teacher in providing a developmentally appropriate classroom environment that will provide for social, emotional, physical, and intellectual needs of children in care. Under guidance of Lead Teacher makes one on one contact with children, parents and Centralia College students providing developmentally appropriate guidance/practices. The position has responsibility in supporting compliance of Licensing, Early Achievers and the early childhood component of the ECEAP Performance Standards.

This position requires knowledge of child development, positive guidance techniques, and ability to communicate with a diverse population of children and adults including Centralia College students. ECPS1 assists the ECPS3 and ECPS2in the completion of daily operations in the classroom, including, but not limited to: opening and closing classrooms, preparing classroom materials, clean-up throughout the day, toileting/diapering, health and safety protocols, curriculum/lesson planning and presentation, leading groups and/or activities maintaining records/ documentation, and participation in required and recommended training. Individuals in this position must demonstrate competency in implementing program activities under the direction of the lead teacher and DCYF Childcare Licensor, Early Achievers, and ECEAP standards.

• Work under the direction of the Lead Teacher;
• Arrive on time, prepared to engage in daily activities with children and staff;
• Engage and facilitate play and learning throughout the day at child eye level;
• Engage children in daily education
• Follow approved schedule and daily routine;
• Complete assigned duties which include but are not limited to: participation in daily classroom routines, meal service, curriculum implementation, circle times, toileting/diapering, documentation and assessment;
• With direction of the Lead Teacher, support or lead implementation of individual, small group, and large group activities based on the developmental needs of enrolled children;
• Model developmentally appropriate expectations of children and positive communication and discipline techniques for other staff members, students, parent, and children;
• Be responsive to children throughout the day while engaged in free play, small and large group time and outside time;
• Build positive relationships with children, showing empathy, interest, and respect;
• Use positive approaches to help children engage constructively, encouraging independence in children as they are ready;
• Help children build social emotional skills by recognizing challenging feelings, comforting, identifying, reflecting, and helping children to solve their problems as needed;
• In the absence of an ECPS2, the ECPS1 may assist in planning developmentally appropriate curriculum and activities for the child care program; implementing Creative Curriuclum and activities, prepare lesson plans and materials;
• May assume Lead Teacher role as needed to support Lead Teacher’s absence, classroom, and program needs;
• Assist in keeping appropriate program records as assigned;
• Demonstrate knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practices;
• Assist with developmental screenings and educational assessments for assigned children;
• Support developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive environment based on ITERS/ECERS, and assist with changes periodically in response to the ever-changing needs of the children in the classroom;
• Demonstrate cultural-competency and respect for each staff, student, family and child's background by incorporating culturally-responsive activities, classroom items, songs, etc. that cultivate each child's sense of importance and belonging;
• Demonstrate ability to work well with a variety of people and diverse values;
• Aware of own cultural values and biases;
• Establish and maintain positive rapport with families while ensuring appropriate professionalism and confidentiality, and refer concerns/issues to Lead Teacher and/or Program Manager as appropriate;
• Provide positive, welcoming, and safe enviornment for parents, children, and staff, including ECE students;
• Maintain appropriate supervision and child to staff ratios as expected by Licensing and Program Standards;
• Aware of the activities of the entire group of children at all times, even when dealing with a smaller group of children or an individual child;
• Ensure safety of all children by providing a proactive, healthy, and safe environment;
• Administer first aid, handle emergency situations, and attend to medical/dental emergencies with a calm and professional demeanor;
• Practice ongoing health and safety procedures for indoor and outdoor environments;
• Follow state laws and program procedures regarding issues of suspected child abuse and neglect;
• Complies with program standards by showing documentation or obtain upon hiring: a recent negative TB test or proof of immunity ; proof of MMR, current Infant/Child CPR and First Aid cards; a current Food Handler's Permit; and AIDS/HIV Bloodborne Pathogens training, Families Experiencing Homelessness, Mandated Reporting, DCYF Portable Background check and fingerprinting, Complete the 30 hours Basics training within 90 days of hire;
• Complete a minimum of 15 hours of professional development per year, such as workshops, classes, or job embedded professional learning;
• Working hours/schedule and classroom assigned may be subject to change due to program needs by Program Manager;
• Participate in team meetings, center staff meeting and program training as identified by management;
• Support the Early Learning Programs community outreach by participating in designated community events, which may involve evening and/or weekend time;
• If modified services are required to meet Program Standards - ECPS 1 will work collaboratively with Lead Teacher to provide remote education supports for children and families;
• Follows written and oral directions;
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

• Be at least eighteen years old;
• High School Diploma or equivalent;
• Willingness/ability to obtain ECE initial certificate or equivalent as approved and verified in the electronic workforce registry by the Department of Child, Youth, and Family Services within 5 years of employment

• One year of experience in an early childhood program
• Early Childhood Education State Certificate or equivalent
• Experience with Microsoft Office

Ability to:

• Lift up to 50 pounds
• Bend, lift, and sit at child’s level for extended periods of time

There are two 30 hours per week, 9.5-month cyclic positions. Continuance of this position is dependent upon grant funding.

Classified employees are represented by the Washing State Federation of State Employees (WFSE). The state of Washington provides a comprehensive benefits package for state employees.

Note: The successful candidate's continued employment will be contingent upon the current position or ability to obtain the following within 45 days of employment:

• Current negative TB test or statement from Health Dept. that named person is cleared;
• MMR immunity
• MERIT/ STARS ID
• Cleared Department of Children, Youth & Families Portable Background Check clearance in MERIT Current First Aid and CPR training documentation;
• HIV/AIDS Training and/or Blood Pathogens;
• Child Abuse/Neglect Training, inclusive of reporting procedures; and
• Food Handlers permit.

DEADLINE: This position will close July 21, 2024. The screening committee will begin their review July 22, 2024.

COMPENSATION
Monthly Salary: Range 30 ($2,166.75 - $2,668.50)

APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested candidates may apply by submitting the following items:

• Online Application
• Cover Letter that addresses your interest in the position and ability to perform the responsibilities described in this announcement.
• Detailed résumé of all educational and professional experience that demonstrates how you meet the qualifications.
• List of at least three professional references with contact information. References are typically contacted after interviews.

If you are hired, you will need proof of identity, and documentation of U.S. citizenship or legal authorization to work.

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.

Centralia College has a strong institutional commitment to the principles of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we strongly urge all qualified applicants, especially people of color, persons of disability, women, and disabled and Vietnam era veterans, to apply. Centralia College is an Equal Opportunity employer.

It is the policy of Centralia College to assure equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age (over 40), religion, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran.

Centralia College does not discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. Designated Title II, VI, VII, IX, Section 504, ADA compliance officer: Vice President for Human Resources and Equity, Hanson Hall Room 101, Centralia College, 600 Centralia College Blvd, Centralia WA 98531-4099, (360)623-8943.

The Human Resources Office is accessible for persons with disabilities. Those who need disability accommodation in the application/employment process, please call (360)623-8943.

Notice of Availability of Annual Security Report—Centralia College's Annual Crime/Security Report is available here, containing mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, required statistics, and other related information. To obtain a paper copy of the report, please call 360-623-8947.

Centralia College is compliant with Title IX best practices. For more information visit, Title IX.