Early Childhood Development Center Director

EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT CENTER DIRECTOR

(Port Angeles, Full-Time Exempt)

Open Date: October 3, 2025

Close Date: October 19, 2025

Anticipated Start Date: November 16, 2025

Anticipated Monthly Salary Range: $5,833.33 - $6,011.75

PENINSULA COLLEGE’S COMMITMENT TO EQUITY

Our collaboratively developed shared definition of equity is that as a College “we aspire to ensure that all students, faculty, and staff have access to resources and support in proportion to their needs and that they feel respected, connected, and can thrive in their goals.” Peninsula College’s equity efforts are led by an Equity Standing Committee with cross-campus representation. The committee appoints equity work groups and develops, assesses, and updates an annual equity plan. That committee’s collective work has identified the need for a position that can lead the College’s work in equitable hiring practices and equity training for all employees and that can act as resource for the College’s equity partners by sharing expertise and leadership.

At Peninsula College, we are committed to ensuring a fair and unbiased hiring process. To support this commitment, we use an application redaction process. This means that certain personal identifying information will be removed from your application before it is reviewed by our hiring committee.

THE COLLEGE

Located in the northwest corner of the United States, Peninsula College is nestled in the foothills of the Olympic Mountains. The main campus in Port Angeles, Washington, overlooks the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the nearby city of Victoria, British Columbia, and has easy access to the Pacific Ocean, Olympic National Park, and Seattle. Port Angeles is two hours from Seattle and a one-hour ferry ride to Victoria, Canada. The College is honored to serve six sovereign American Indian nations in the region: Jamestown S’Klallam, Lower Elwha Klallam, Quileute, Makah, Hoh, and Port Gamble S’Klallam.

The College is honored to have strong relationships with these six federally recognized Tribes in the College’s service district. The College is home to Longhouse of Learning. It is the first Longhouse in the nation to be built on a community College campus. The College offers transferable Indigenous language courses in Klallam/S’Klallam, Makah and Quileute and Hoh languages. Instructional programs include a Tribal Homeland Security & Emergency Management certificate and an Integrated Indigenous Studies transfer pathway. The College is committed to doing more and taking future direction from the Tribes.

As a public comprehensive community college with baccalaureate-granting authority, Peninsula College is highly regarded by businesses, schools, and community partners for its culture of inclusiveness, innovation, high academic standards, and community engagement. The College is part of the 34-college Washington State Community and Technical College System and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

The College serves more than 2,500 students through its main campus and Port Townsend and Forks campuses, its correctional facilities, community education, and its online course offerings. The College community is vibrant, engaged, and known for its commitment to serving the diverse needs of the local communities across its 3,600 square mile service district.

The College culture is defined by its Guiding Principles and its shared governance model, which values respect, open and honest communication, integrity and collaboration. The College is a leader in the Guided Pathways work in Washington State and sees developing an equitable and socially just institution as a central part of that work. The College is highly regarded as a warm and welcoming place. Click here for a video about Peninsula College.

THE POSITION

The Director plays a pivotal role in ensuring equitable access to high-quality early childhood education. Responsible for the daily operation of the campus childcare center, this role places a strong emphasis on fostering inclusive communication with parents/guardians, staff and fiscal management. Responsibilities include interpreting, implementing policy and taking action in response to all emergent incidents on a daily basis, with a commitment to ensuring fairness and equity. Moreover, this position is accountable for the enforcement of licensing standards for the center.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Supervise ECDC staff, student employees, and volunteers including interviewing, training, assigning and scheduling work, acting upon leave requests, providing programmatic and individualized opportunities for professional development and conducting annual performance evaluations.
• In the absence of ECDC staff assume their responsibility as necessary.
• Ensure daily operation conforms to federal, state, and local rules, regulations and licensing requirements.
• Oversees implementation and supervises the food program to comply with the Child Care and Adult Food Program requirements.
• Oversee the planning and implementation of a high quality, developmentally appropriate program that proactively addresses the cultural, emotional, mental, physical, and social needs of the children.
• Work cooperatively with the Early Childhood Education Department to provide a curriculum that is consistent with the philosophy of the ECE program and to ensure placement of ECE students in the child care centers.
• Identify trends and best practices through literature and review, campus visitations, and professional development opportunities.
• Participate in the implementation of marketing and communications strategies to recruit parents/children for enrollment.
• Communicate effectively with families and staff through written policies, frequent personal interactions and correspondence, scheduled operation and individual meetings.
• Develop annual program budgets.
• Oversee operating expenditures and agency reimbursements according to institution and state guidelines. Oversee grants and contracts with external agencies.
• Maintain accurate enrolment records to include child development assessments, incident reports, attendance and immunizations.
• Participate in activities to develop and maintain effective relationships with campus community, referral agencies and potential community partners.
• Participate in the state’s Early Achiever’s quality improvement program.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Deep understanding of Early Childhood Education theory and practices, rooted in equitable principles and appropriate childcare practices.
• Ability to effectively communicate, discern, and exchange accurate information.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive and inclusive communication channels with parents, facility, center staff, campus and community groups.
• Demonstrated commitment to budget and operation accountability.
• Strong supervisory skills emphasizing inclusivity, diversity, and team building.
• Knowledge of college policies and procedures for purchases, hiring, registration, and support services, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Excellent computer skills including experience with Word, Excel, and Outlook, with awareness of digital accessibility standards.
• Ability to qualify for director by meeting current state licensing requirements.
• High ethical standards, integrity, sound professional judgement, and respectful of confidential data and individual circumstances
• Effective organizational and problem-solving skills.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work will be performed in an office setting 50% of the time. Also must have the physical dexterity to work with young children; stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, grasping, standing, lifting, walking and running quickly the other 50% of the time.

REQUIRED EDUCATION OR CERTIFICATES

• Three or more years' experience in working with young children in a childcare setting.
• AA degree in Early Childhood Education.
• By employment date, provide proof of a negative TB skin test or equivalent.
• By employment date, provide proof of MMR vaccination or measles immunity.
• By employment date, satisfactory results from the criminal background check, as required by the Child/Adult Abuse Act.
• Prior to date of hire, obtain a Portable Background Check through MERIT.
• Complete BBP, CAN, licensing orientation, and disaster preparedness training prior to being with center children and families.
• By employment date, obtain a Food Handler’s Permit
• By employment date, obtain First Aid and hands-on Adult/Child SPR card
• By employment date, complete required Child Care Basics course or equivalent.
• Within 30 days of employment date, obtain interrater reliability in Teaching Strategies GOLD and complete Creative Curriculum Trainings.
• Complete 10 hours of STARS-approved training each year as specified by licensing requirements.

PREFERRED EDUCATION OR CERTIFICATES

• Three or more years' experience in a childcare management role.
• A bachelor's degree in business or related field.
• Demonstration of working collaboratively.
• Demonstration of supervisory skills.
• Budget management experience.

BACKGROUND CHECK

Yes, 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.

EMPLOYMENT TERMS

In compliance with the Immigration and Naturalization Act, proof of authorization to work in the United States will be required at the time of hire.

EMPLOYMENT PAY AND BENEFITS INFORMATION

• Full-Time Exempt position
• Annual Salary Range: $70,000.00 - $72,141.00
• Anticipated monthly salary: $5,833.33 - $6,011.75

Full Time Employee Benefits:

• Excellent benefits package including medical, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance; paid vacation and sick leave; retirement plan options; optional credit union and tax-deferred annuity programs. As of July 1, 2025, Peninsula College contributes $1,333 per month towards the cost of the Washington State employee insurance programs. The college also supports professional development.
• Peninsula College is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. If you work for the College full time, have had Direct Loans and are on an eligible repayment plan, you are eligible to apply.
• Sick leave accrual is 8 hours per month times Full-Time Equivalent.
• Vacation Leave accrual is 16 hours per month times Full-Time Equivalent.
• Personal Leave is 40 hours times Full-Time Equivalent, every July 1, prorated on date of hire.
• Personal Holiday is 8 hours times Full-Time Equivalent, per year after 4 months of service.

Application Submission Procedure:

A complete application file will include:

• College employment application (online)
• PDF - Current resume
• PDF - Cover letter addressing specific qualifications of this position, and provide a one to two sentence statement on how you may be able to contribute to a culture of equity at Peninsula College
• PDF - Three current professional references qualified to assess your experience and ability to perform the duties specified. Please include references’ name, email addresses and telephone numbers

Application materials may be uploaded electronically, by mail, or email:

Human Resources

Peninsula College

1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd.

Port Angeles, WA 98362

Phone: (360) 417-6298

Email: pchr@pencol.edu

Applications submitted electronically will be accepted without signatures.

Jeanne Clery Statement:

Notice of Availability of Annual Security Report—Peninsula 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 360-417-6559.

Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment:

Peninsula College is compliant with Title IX best practices. For more information visit, Anti-Harassment and Nondiscrimination | Title IX.

Peninsula College does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, families with children, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, including gender identity, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities. Coordination of compliance is the responsibility of the Human Resources Officer, Hanan Zawideh, titleixcrd@pencol.edu, (360) 417-6212.

Requesting Accommodations for Employment:

Please contact the Peninsula College Human Resources office, 360-417-6298 or email pchr@pencol.edu to request for any accommodations.

Peninsula College is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,000.00 - $72,141.75 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $70,000 - $72,141