ECE Behavioral Health Center Classroom Specialist (2026-27 SY)

General Responsibilities

Reporting to the Early Care & Education (ECE) Leadership team member, the Classroom Specialist will work in a co-taught preschool setting alongside an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher and an ECEAP Lead Teacher. The Classroom Specialist is responsible for providing a safe and engaging educational setting for children whose ages range from three-five years in the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP). The Classroom Specialist will support classroom management and positive behavior supports to engage students with complex needs and intense behavioral challenges.
Assignment:This position will work full-time, 184 days per year and will serve the Early Care and Education Behavioral Health Center, a new program in Vancouver, WA that was created to serve children ages 3-5 with intensive social, emotional, mental and behavioral supports and services. The work schedule is Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. This is for the 26-27 School Year, anticipated start date is August 17, 2026.
Successful candidates must:

1. Be able to observe center activities with accuracy in order to effectively supervise child interactions and behaviors.
2. Be able to effectively communicate verbally with coworkers, children, and families.
3. Use sound judgment, self-control, emotional competence, and the ability to adjust cognitive patterns to meet the needs of children with diverse backgrounds, varying social-emotional skills, and behavioral challenges.

Regular attendance required: This role relies on regular and reliable attendance to ensure consistency for our students and help support a positive, productive learning environment.

Essential Functions/Other Functions

Essential Functions:

1. Provide instruction under the direction of the classroom teachers including implementation ofcurriculum,postedlessonplans,andclassschedulesforthepreschoolclassroom.
2. Establishandmaintainpositivecommunicationusingcollaborativemethodstoproblemsolveandinteractwith families, children, and staff.
3. Assist in setting up the environment to ensure that the space is welcoming, developmentally appropriate and that materials are accessible to children.
4. Build on children’s strengths and areas of interest, while helping them gain new skills with a focus on social emotional learning and self-regulation.
5. Implement trauma-informed practices and strategies.
6. Support and follow ECE guidance techniques as well as classroom routines including snacks/meals, bathroom supports, cleaning, transportation and indoor/outdoor activities.
7. Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries regarding the exchange of pertinent information.
8. Participate regularly in staff meetings, in-service trainings, coaching and other professional development opportunities.
9. Support and follow the direction of the teachers and supervisor.
10. Maintain regular attendance to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the positio

Other Functions:

1. Work effectively with special education personnel, classroom teachers and program support staff.
2. Support the behavior needs of young children.
3. Work as a team to focus on quality, responsive caregiving.
4. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum/Preferred Qualifications & Skills

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Must meet one of the following educational requirements:
2. Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education; or
3. Associate's degree with at least 20 quarter college credits in Early Childhood Education; or
4. Associate’s degree and eligible and willing to obtain up to 20 ECE credits through an approved professional development plan within an established timeline.

2. Experience working with preschool age children.
Preferred Qualifications and Skills:

1. Experience working in an ECEAP or Head Start program.
2. Experience working with children with complex needs.
3. Bilingual.

Working Conditions/Employment Requirements

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

1. Work in a preschool environment with children with mental health challenges including internalizing and/or externalizing behaviors.
2. Job involves sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, reaching, grasping, bending, stooping, crouching, pushing, and/or pulling. Position involves physical mobility with or without reasonable accommodation to perform essential functions of the job.
3. Must be able to assist in physical behavioral interventions and/or facility evacuations in the event of an emergency.
4. Must possess the ability to lift and/or move materials necessary to meet requirements of essential functions of position, which includes exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects including the human body.

Employment Requirements:

1. Successful completion of a portable background check (PBC) and clearance through the Department of Children Youth and Families prior to working in program.
2. Obtain up to 20 ECE credits through an approved professional development plan, depending on Associate Degree type.
3. Successful completion of emergency procedure training prior to working in program.
4. Participation in Washington’s State Training and Registry System (STARS) program required.
5. Valid pediatric and adult CPR certification prior to working in program.
6. Valid Food Handler’s Card required prior to working in program.
7. Negative TB test completed within the previous twelve months prior to working in program.
8. Participation in Washington's State Training and Registry System (STARS) program required.
9. Documentation showing immunity to Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR), either vaccination records or results of a Titer test prior to working in program.
10. Completion of HIV/Blood Borne Pathogens training prior to working in program.