Job Description

Central Washington University is recruiting an Teacher Infant Lead (Early Childhood Program Specialist 3) to join our Early Childhood Learning Center team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they help provide a safe and educational environment for children with parents that study, teach and work at the University. The role is a campus-based 11-month cyclic position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a salary, depending on experience, from $42,444 - $56,676 annually plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.  

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~10,000 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year.  In addition, for the seventh time in eight years, CWU is a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave.

The Role:

The Early Childhood Program Specialist 3 provides quality care and early learning educational instruction to meet the needs of children aged 1 months to 12 months of age enrolled in the Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC). This position is responsible for creating, managing, and assessing the activities and classroom environments, Creative Curriculum lesson plans monthly, indoors and outdoors, and for the daily curriculum and hours of the program. This position works as a team with other staffing at the Rainbow Center to lead the learning for infants. This position will be able to build positive strength-based relationships with staff and families. This position leads student staff to supplement a staff/child ratio of 1:4 on infant side in the program. Provide additional support as needed when other ECPS 3 are absent or on leave. Prepare infant food and formula and breast milk bottles to the infants. We use Creative Curriculum at Rainbow Center and create lesson plans for infants and toddlers following this Curriculum. This position includes parent and staff communication, partnering with coworkers to create a positive environment, diaper changes, moving and sitting, meal service, daily documentation on each child and follow very detailed rules and procedures and policies. All employees are expected to support CWU's commitment to diversity and to bring and support inclusion into the university environment.

Classroom Duties:
- Assess children's learning levels and monitor progress of each child, report progress to parents. Progress can be documented formally, through daily contact with parent or in a general parent letter to all parents.
- Assess and monitor the social, intellectual, emotional, nutritional, and physical needs of children enrolled in the early childhood program; develop child and adult directed activities based on those determined needs that meet developmentally appropriate practices.
- Communicate with parents regarding family and/or behavior problems, special health requirements, religious or cultural practices, diapering/toilet training issues, prescription medications, schedule changes, court proceedings affecting child and/or program, required paperwork, injuries, clothing, special activities or events, parent-teacher conferences, learning levels, etc.
- Responsible for the diapering and toilet-training of the young children in the center and working with parents as they prepare their child to transition from one stage to another.
- Plan, present and assess educational and/or recreational activities of children in the early childhood program and provide parents with information on childcare techniques. Work closely with Assistant Director, Director and other ECPS staffing to provide seamless early learning for toddlers and share information with the Red Room (ages 2-3 at ECLC) when children are transitioning up.
- Create lesson plans, incident reports, forms for meal counts, missing clothing, borrowed items, supply inventories and prescription medications.
- Lead student employees, practicums, interns, or volunteers that are assigned to the classroom. Direct and keep on task any student staffing in the classroom ensuring a teacher to child ratio, Infants 1:4. Establish student staff assignments to daily learning centers.  Provide the Early Childhood Program Director and Assistant Director feedback and input on student employee performance and/or discipline issues.
- Administer First Aid or CPR, epi pen; assist in handling emergencies that may arise with children, staff, or parents. Provide documentation as required.
- Serve daily meals to children in program following guidelines/procedures of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
- Be familiar with and implement Department of Children, Youth & Families childcare licensing requirements and childcare regulations (https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=110-300).
- Participate in staff meetings and parent conferences.
- Assesses children's learning levels, monitors progress of each child.
- Discusses progress of the child with their parents and responds to parents' concerns; designs individualized educational materials.
- Maintains a healthy and safe environment indoors/outdoors for children in the program.
- May keep written observations of interactions between parents and children on a regular basis.
- May provide direction or direct the work of lower-level staff or volunteers.

- Other duties as assigned.

• AT TIME OF HIRE, successful candidate must possess the following: 
  • Valid Certification in CPR, Adult, Infant and Child, and First Aid
  • MMR Immunization or titer
  • Negative TB Skin Test
  • Safe Sleep training
  • Tdap immunization
  • 2-hour HIV/Blood Borne Pathogen Training Certification
  • Possession of valid Food Handler's Permit
  • Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) Portable Background Check Certificate through the MERIT system. (Managed Education and Registry Information Tool)
  • STARS Basic 30-hour training or equivalent credits
  • Department of Children, Youth and Families Cleared Fingerprints
• A Bachelor's Degree in either Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Family Studies or Special Education OR two years of experience working with children from 0 - 12 years of age in a group setting.
• Ability to correctly draft and produce written material, identify and correct errors in grammar, punctuation and spelling.
• Demonstrated willingness and/or experience working with students and/or co-workers from a wide range of abilities, backgrounds, and experiences.
• OR an equivalent combination of experience, training and/or education which clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the job.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience and/or training that demonstrates the ability to use Word, Excel, Outlook and/or similar applications to prepare classroom work, documentation, parent letters, etc.
• Nutritional knowledge for young children through OSPI, Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
• Lead staff experience.
• Potential to mentor and educate students who will serve diverse populations.
• Experience or interest in mentoring students from a variety of backgrounds.

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Diversity: Recognizes the value of diversity and helps create environment that supports and embraces diversity.

Don't meet every single requirement? At CWU we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway. This may be the job for you!

Salary: This position is based on the range 42 of the Washington State Classification Listing, which has a minimum annual salary of $42,444 and maximum annual salary of $56,676. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. 

Schedule/Appointment: Monday - Friday, 8:30am-5:30pm (1 hour lunch) / 11 month cyclic appointment / PSE Bargaining Unit 5

Working Conditions: The Early Childhood Learning Center-Rainbow is located on the CWU campus in Michaelsen Hall, Rm. 109, with adjacent playground and is surrounded by University Academic Buildings. Included daily indoor (classroom/office), outdoor (playground/campus) working conditions.  It is essential to be able to meet the physical demands of caring for young children; prolonged periods of holding, remaining on your feet for prolonged periods, and multi-tasking from one duty to another. Lots of stooping, kneeling, bending, crouching, lifting, walking, carrying or moving of children and other movements may be required. Exposure to risks include: Childhood illnesses, COVID-19 virus, colds and flu, etc. Must be able to perform light lifting and be able to physically maintain classroom and playground environments. 

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave. 

An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program.

To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

• A detailed cover letter clearly demonstrating how your education and experience: (a) meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications, and (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting; 
   
• Resume including work history, education, training; and
   
• Contact information for three professional references.

Screening Begins: May 9, 2024

**Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Name: Nikki Nierman
Title: Assistant Director
Email: Nikki.Nierman@cwu.edu
Phone: (509) 963-1366
Website: www.cwu.edu/student-life/student-support/early-learning/index.php

Please contact Human Resources at hr@cwu.edu or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process. 

Background Check/Reference Check Process:

Prior to employment, final candidate(s) will be required to sign a Sexual Misconduct disclosure in pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080 and submit to a background check. All information obtained through background investigations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access.

This position is part of a Public School Employees of Washington (PSE) bargaining unit.

The seniority date for the selected applicant shall be set in accordance with Article 43.2 of the Public School Employees (PSE) collective bargaining agreement.

Notice to Prospective Employees:

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Statement

Central Washington University is an EEO/AA/Title IX Institution. Central Washington University's policies and practices affirm and actively promote the rights of all individuals to equal opportunity in education and employment. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, disability, or status as a protected veteran is prohibited. The university provides an internal procedure for reporting discrimination and affords protection against retaliation for participating in the complaint process. Central Washington University complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and executive orders including when soliciting bids and in the fulfillment of all contracts with governmental agencies. Direct related inquiries to Civil Rights Compliance, 202 Barge Hall, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7501; Telephone 509-963-2050; or email crc@cwu.edu.

DEI Statement

Justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion are all core to CWU's mission, vision and values to increase access to higher education for everyone regardless of identity. At CWU we work to ensure everyone's voice is not only heard but recognized and valued. We consistently strive to provide a safe, welcoming, and forward-thinking institution for all employees, students, and community members.

Reasonable Accommodations

Central Washington University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact Human Resources at HR@cwu.edu or call 509-963-1202. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the Central Washington University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (i.e. Clery Report) which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, available online here or call CWU Police and Parking Services at 509-963-2959 for a paper copy.