Classroom Behavioral Specialist ECE

About the Employer

Overview

Job Title: Substitute Classroom Specialist - ECE Behavioral Health Center (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. - Salary: - The hourly compensation range for this position is $23.95 - $29.14. - Our offers are made at the entry level of the range. - Effective 09/01/2026, the hourly compensation range will be $24.57 - $29.90. - Offers are made at the beginning of the range. - Assignment: - We are recruiting for a Substitute ECE Behavioral Health Center Classroom Specialist for our new program in Vancouver, WA that has been created to serve children ages 3-5 with intensive social, emotional, mental and behavioral supports and services. - The center hours are Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. - This is for the 26-27 school year which starts August 17, 2026. - Successful Candidates Must: - Be able to observe center activities with accuracy in order to effectively supervise child interactions and behaviors. - Be able to effectively communicate verbally with coworkers, children, and families. - 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: - Accepting and working full substitute assignments is an expectation of this position. - Essential Functions/Other Functions: - Essential Functions: - - Provide instruction under the direction of the classroom teachers including implementation of curriculum, posted lesson plans, and class schedules for the preschool classroom. - - Establish and maintain positive communication using collaborative methods to problem solve and interact with families, children, and staff. - - Assist in setting up the environment to ensure that the space is welcoming, developmentally appropriate and that materials are accessible to children. - - 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. - - Implement trauma-informed practices and strategies. - - Support and follow ECE guidance techniques as well as classroom routines including snacks/meals, bathroom supports, cleaning, transportation and indoor/outdoor activities. - - Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries regarding the exchange of pertinent information. - - Participate regularly in staff meetings, in-service trainings, coaching and other professional development opportunities. - - Support and follow the direction of the teachers and supervisor. - Other Functions: - Work effectively with special education personnel, classroom teachers and program support staff. - Support the behavior needs of young children. - Work as a team to focus on quality, responsive caregiving. - Other duties as assigned. - Minimum/Preferred Qualifications & Skills: - Minimum Qualifications: - Must meet one of the following educational requirements: - A. Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education; - B. Associate's degree with at least 20 quarter college credits in Early Childhood Education; - C. Associate's degree and eligible and willing to obtain up to 20 ECE credits through an approved professional development plan within an established timeline. - Preferred Qualifications and Skills: - Experience working with preschool age children. - Preferred qualifications and skills: - Experience working in an ECEAP or Head Start program. - Experience working with children with complex needs. - Bilingual. - Working Conditions/Employment Requirements: - Working Conditions/Physical Requirements: - Work in a preschool environment with children with mental health challenges including internalizing and/or externalizing behaviors. - 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. - Must be able to assist in physical behavioral interventions and/or facility evacuations in the event of an emergency. - Employment Requirements: - Successful completion of a Portable Background Check (PBC) and clearance through the Department of Children, Youth and Families prior to working in program. - Successful completion of Emergency Procedure Training prior to working in program. - Obtain up to 20 ECE credits through an approved professional development plan, depending on Associate degree type. - Participation in Washington's State Training and Registry System (STARS) program required. - Valid Pediatric and Adult CPR Certification prior to working in program. - Valid Food Handler's Card required prior to working in program. - Negative TB test completed within the previous twelve months prior to working in program. - Initial Health Exam completed by medical provider showing you are free from communicable diseases. - Documentation showing immunity to Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR), either vaccination records or results of a titer test prior to working in program. - Completion of HIV/Blood-Borne Pathogens Training prior to working in program.