What are the responsibilities and job description for the Child Care Educator/Teacher ($1,000 sign-on bonus) position at Bowdoin College?
Posting Details
Title
Child Care Educator/Teacher ($1,000 sign-on bonus)
Posting Number
S01399JP
Department
Childrens Center
Job Summary
Interested in working in a nature and play based environment for children? Desire to join a team of professionals who create opportunities for deep engagement in outdoor experiences?
The Bowdoin College Children’s Center offers a unique Nature-Based Outdoor Preschool Program that immerses children in the natural world as a core part of their learning experience. The Infant Educator position offers early childcare professionals a dynamic opportunity to work in a college campus center with staff who provide care to children in a professional atmosphere. The climate at the Children’s Center leads our staff toward calm, organized, and engaged work with children and each other. Our teams work collaboratively and in consort with each other meeting weekly to discuss practices and concerns as well as meeting weekly to plan curriculum for the children.
Our practices are driven by training on addressing children’s emotional needs to bring learning and growth through attachment and secure relationships. Our nature-based programs focus on generous amounts of uninterrupted outside time for children to play, explore, and experiment. All of this work is in the context of a NAEYC accredited center that is deeply and actively engaged in anti-bias and anti-racist work offered by consultants and professional development trainings throughout the year to support our growth as individuals and a staff.
The Bowdoin College Children’s Center offers a unique Nature-Based Outdoor Preschool Program that immerses children in the natural world as a core part of their learning experience. The Infant Educator position offers early childcare professionals a dynamic opportunity to work in a college campus center with staff who provide care to children in a professional atmosphere. The climate at the Children’s Center leads our staff toward calm, organized, and engaged work with children and each other. Our teams work collaboratively and in consort with each other meeting weekly to discuss practices and concerns as well as meeting weekly to plan curriculum for the children.
Our practices are driven by training on addressing children’s emotional needs to bring learning and growth through attachment and secure relationships. Our nature-based programs focus on generous amounts of uninterrupted outside time for children to play, explore, and experiment. All of this work is in the context of a NAEYC accredited center that is deeply and actively engaged in anti-bias and anti-racist work offered by consultants and professional development trainings throughout the year to support our growth as individuals and a staff.
The Infant Educator holds responsibility of ensuring the safety and well-being of all the children in the program and supporting the mission and philosophy of the Center, while participating in providing a nurturing environment and developmentally appropriate curriculum that meets the needs of young children in all domains. Our Educators are mentored and guided by the Co-Lead Educators to prepare them to step into a co-lead educator role should they be interested. In the infant and toddler program we practice continuity of care for the first three years of a child’s life. This entails building relationships with families as well as children that will be sustained for this three-year journey.
Compensation:
- The targeted pay range for this position will be $21.50 per hour, commensurate based on education and years of experience.
- DHHS Supplement of $240, $360, $540/month depending on experience and education.
- New employees will receive $1,000 sign-on bonus ($250 paid at first check, and $750 paid after 90 days of eligibility requirements are met).
Benefits and Perks:
- Health Plans (Effective on date of hire)
- Vision and Dental Insurance
- Life Insurance and Disability Insurance
- $1,000 Employee Referral Program Bonus
- Generous Retirement Plan – 10.12% annual compensation contribution (Eligible after 1 year of service and age 26 )
- Accrue up to 10 day of vacation (1st year), 15 days (2nd year)
- Accrue up to 12 days of personal/sick time
- 17 Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave (After 1 year)
- Access to many of the College’s facilities including the gym and pool (Including household)
- Free fitness and wellness classes
- And more: https://www.bowdoin.edu/hr/benefits-perks/index.html
Education/Skills Requirements
Required:
- Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field and a commitment to complete nine college level credit courses in Early Childhood Education to meet NAEYC standards.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills and a genuine commitment to the field
of early childhood education. - Flexibility and reflective teaching skills focusing on the whole child in our responsive, nurturing programs is necessary for this position.
- Computer proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and internet research for classroom planning
- Ability and willingness to learn additional programs
Preferred:
- Bachelor’s or Masters degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field
Experience Requirements and/or Equivalents
Required:
- Minimum of 2 years’ experience working with children birth – 8 years
- A valid Driver’s license and the ability to meet the requirements of the College’s Motor Vehicle Use Policy
- Current CPR/First Aid certification (or obtain certification within 1 month of employment)
- Upon hire, new employees must sign a Child Abuse Policy statement and complete the College’s OSHA bloodborne pathogen training and show proof of Hepatitis B vaccination (or submit a written declination statement).
- A genuine commitment to the field of early childhood education.
Preferred:
- Experience working with emergent curriculum or Reggio Emilia inspired programs
- Interest in working in play-based and nature-based environments
- Prior experience in an accredited child care program.
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in this posting to be considered for hire.
Standard Work Days and Hours
- 40 hours/week between hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:45 pm
- Monday – Friday
- This position is a full-time year round position (1.00 FTE)
Employment at Bowdoin College is contingent upon satisfactory completion of applicable background checks including but not limited to: criminal records, educational verifications, driving records (when job-related), and/or credit history (when job related).
We regret that Bowdoin College is unable to provide visa sponsorship for staff positions.
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About Bowdoin
Bowdoin embraces diversity in all forms, and the College is home to talented students, faculty and staff—with a variety of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; religious beliefs; and gender identities, among other factors.
We encourage applications from candidates committed to the support of an inclusive campus community and those who will enrich and contribute to the College’s multifaceted diversity. We value a community in which individuals of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed and encouraged to succeed.
Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to the liberal arts for well over 200 years. Bowdoin’s reputation as a preeminent liberal arts college rests on the excellence of its faculty, students, and staff; intimate size; strong sense of community; and connections to the people, history, and natural beauty of Maine.
Bowdoin’s campus is situated in a beautiful natural setting. Located in Brunswick, Maine, a town of approximately 20,000, the College is a short drive from the Maine coast, twenty-five miles from Portland and 120 miles from Boston.
We encourage applications from candidates committed to the support of an inclusive campus community and those who will enrich and contribute to the College’s multifaceted diversity. We value a community in which individuals of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed and encouraged to succeed.
Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to the liberal arts for well over 200 years. Bowdoin’s reputation as a preeminent liberal arts college rests on the excellence of its faculty, students, and staff; intimate size; strong sense of community; and connections to the people, history, and natural beauty of Maine.
Bowdoin’s campus is situated in a beautiful natural setting. Located in Brunswick, Maine, a town of approximately 20,000, the College is a short drive from the Maine coast, twenty-five miles from Portland and 120 miles from Boston.
Shift
Employment Category
Full Time Year Round
FTE
1.00
Benefits Eligible
Yes
Pay Type
Hourly
Background Check Package Requirements
Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Bowdoin vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job?
No
Is a pre-placement physical required for this position?
Yes
Posting Date
04/21/2025
Applications Accepted Until
Open Until Filled
No
Type of Posting
Internal/External
Special Instructions to Applicants
If selected as a finalist, you will be required to submit information for three references, including name, email address, phone number and how you know the reference.
EEO Information
Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses.
Salary : $22
