Early Childhood Specialist 1

EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM SPECIALIST 1

(Full-Time Classified, Grant-funded)

Open Date: July 18, 2025

Close Date: July 28, 2025

Anticipated Start Date: September 16, 2025

Anticipated Monthly Salary Range: $ 3,262.00 - $ 4,216.00

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.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Early Childhood Program Specialist 1 (Classroom Aide) is responsible for supporting the classroom routines and activities in collaboration with the Early Childhood Program Specialist 2 and 3. This position works under direct supervision, performing entry-level work following clearly defined work procedures and priorities. Duties include performing classroom work such as supporting children’s learning activities and routines such as transitions, rest, choice time, and meals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Engage with children in developmentally appropriate activities.
• Support children with transitions and routines such as indoor/outdoor learning, meals, and small group activities, etc.
• Perform light housekeeping duties that assist with maintenance of a healthy and safe environment for young children.
• Model appropriate guidance techniques and communication skills with young children.
• Be familiar with and support the implementation of the State Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers

OTHER WORK ACTIVITIES

• Flexibility in supporting lead teaching staff in two classrooms and stepping into their role while they are outside of the classrooms.

DUTIES OF THE POSITION REQUIRE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Be familiar with and help implement the State Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers.
• Previous work with young children.

DUTIES OF THE POSITION REQUIRE THE ABILITY TO

• Maintains confidentiality regarding family information.
• Manages time and multiple tasks efficiently and effectively.
• Demonstrates clear and effective written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work with diverse populations.
• Maintains professional and ethical boundaries with children, families, and staff.
• Works as a team member.
• Possesses interpersonal relationship skills.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• May be required to lift moderate amounts of weight up to 40 lbs.
• Requires the ability to stand, stoop, kneel, bend and work with children on the floor for extended periods of time.

REQUIRED WORK SCHEDULE AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 7:45am-4:15pm; may require extra hours for special events and staff meetings.

REQUIRED EDUCATION OR CERTIFICATES

• Experience working with young children in a childcare setting or currently enrolled in an Early Childhood Education Program.
• Certificate in Early Childhood Education preferred.
• 30-hr Basic Child Care
• HIV/AIDS certification
• Valid certification in adult, infant and children CPR and first aid.
• Food Handler’s Permit.
• Proof of Negative TB Test within the past year.
• Proof of MMR vaccination.
• Satisfactory Criminal History and Background Inquiry with MERIT.

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 Classified position.
• This is a full-time probationary appointment, that may become permanent at the end of six months of satisfactory employment.
• Anticipated monthly salary: $3,262.00 - $4,216.00 (DOE)

Full Time Employee Benefits:

• Excellent benefits: including medical, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance; as of July 1, 2024, Peninsula College contributes $1,333 per month to the cost of the Washington State employee insurance programs.
• Retirement plan options with employer contributions; optional credit union and tax-deferred annuity programs.
• 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.
• Vacation Leave accrual is 11.33 hours per month and will increase with years of experience.

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 to:

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, hzawideh@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: $3,262.00 - $4,216.00 per month

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $3,262 - $4,216