<p>At a Glance! </p> <p>Committed. Passionate. Caring. Skilled. These qualities define the Lead Teachers at Lower Community College. Our Teachers make a difference daily in the lives of preschool aged children and their families. If you share these qualities our Lead Teacher position is the right fit for you. See the Benefits tab for even more reasons to apply today!</p> <p>The Lead Teacher is responsible for an Early Childhood Center Classroom, supervising 13-15 children including classroom activities and meal times. Head Start Lead Teachers coordinate parent teacher conferences and home visits with families. In addition to classroom activities, this position will be responsible for maintaining records for all children and families. This position will work closely with parents, families, community partners, and other staff members.       </p> <p>We currently have one Lead Teacher opening: </p> <ul> <li> <p>Head Start classroom at Barnes North</p> </li><li> <p>11.50 months, 40 hours per week </p> </li><li> <p>Schedule: 7:00 am - 4:00 pm </p> </li></ul> <p>This position is classified as a Early Childhood Program Specialist 3 under Washington State Classification Specifications. This position reports to the Area Manager. </p> <p>Application deadline: This position will be open until 1/4/26, with an initial review date of 01/05. </p> <p>Successful candidates typically start towards the beginning of the salary range and will receive scheduled salary increases.</p> <p>Follow Head Start: For more on Lower Columbia College Head Start, see the Annual Report and join our Social Media page.  </p> <p>You will have the opportunity to:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Carry out and implement an appropriate Early Childhood Center based-program for 13-15 preschool children</p> </li><li> <p>Provide and maintains an environment reflective with Creative Curriculum philosophy, framework and components of ECERS (Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale).</p> </li><li> <p>Develop and utilize lesson plans, approved curriculums which reflect mandated elements, parental and cultural influences emphasis on needs of individual children.  Planning for the individual child the social, intellectual, emotional and physical development. Develop child and adult directed educational activities based on strengths, interest and needs of children in the classroom.</p> </li><li> <p>Include parent planning in the classroom, home and center activities.</p> </li></ul> <p>Maintain and evaluate records</p> <ul> <li> <p>Record and evaluate each child's growth and development for the purpose of planning activities to suit individual needs</p> </li><li> <p>Submit required reports and other communications, i.e., lesson plans, field trip requests, monthly newsletters and calendars, end-of-the-month reports, weekly attendance reports, supply and form requests, and assessment according to program timeframe</p> </li><li> <p>Maintain case management of the child's site file</p> </li></ul> <p>Teaming with parents and staff</p> <ul> <li> <p>Work and meet with appropriate agencies, parents and staff in developing, goals, PBSP, Individual Plans, Individual Education Plans (IEP), and discuss child's status and progress</p> </li><li> <p>Work cooperatively with staff from all components to integrate health, nutrition, mental health, education, disabilities, parent involvement, and social service needs of each family</p> </li><li> <p>Make every effort to communicate with families in their home language, i.e. utilize interpreters</p> </li></ul> <p>Personal qualities</p> <ul> <li> <p>Respects the confidentiality of information about enrolled children and families, personnel issues and program operations as defined in the Confidentiality Policy. </p> </li><li> <p>Exhibits acceptable personal qualities and positive professional behavior, such as:  reliability, enthusiasm, initiative, resourcefulness, self-confidence, control, flexibility and honesty.</p> </li><li> <p>Engage in reflective practice</p> </li><li> <p>Performs other related duties as required</p> </li></ul> <p>Physical Requirements:</p> <p>Seldom:</p> <ul> <li> <p>In emergency situations, pick up children, up to 80 lbs. (with assistance)</p> </li><li> <p>Sit for long periods of time (up to 7 hours) during mandatory trainings</p> </li></ul> <p>Occasionally:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Multiple uses of bleach solution for cleaning/sanitizing classroom daily/weekly</p> </li><li> <p>Classroom arrangement including moving furniture </p> </li></ul> <p>Frequently:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Stack chairs</p> </li><li> <p>Bend over to pick up items and/or assist children </p> </li><li> <p>Sit either on child-sized chairs or the floor </p> </li><li> <p>Squat </p> </li><li> <p>Extended periods of standing</p> </li><li> <p>Maintain sight and sound supervision of up to 18 children with a co-teacher</p> </li><li> <p>During outside play </p> </li><li> <p>Lift - carrying classroom materials (5-10 lbs.).</p> </li></ul> <p>This description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, effort, work conditions, and benefits associated with the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.</p> <p>Minimum Qualifications: </p> <ul> <li> <p>Degree Requirements: </p> </li><li> <p>Head Start Lead Teacher: Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education; OR Bachelor degree in related field and AA in Early Childhood Education; OR AA in Early Childhood Education and enrolled in Bachelor program for Early Childhood Education.</p> </li><li> <p>Minimum of one year of experience teaching in an early childhood program.</p> </li><li> <p>Excellent time management and prioritization skills. </p> </li><li> <p>Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of child development.</p> </li><li> <p>Demonstrated adaptability and flexibility in responding to changing needs, schedules, and child behaviors while maintaining a positive and supportive environment. </p> </li><li> <p>Excellent interpersonal communication skills.</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to work effectively as part of a team. </p> </li></ul> <p>Preferred Qualifications: </p> <ul> <li> <p>One year of experience as a lead teacher in early childhood education, working with children preschool age (3 to 5).</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to communicate effectively with children and families in ways that suit their individual needs, preferences, and family choice.</p> </li><li> <p>Competence in various curriculum areas such as music, art, science, pre-reading, storytelling, numeric fluency, and language development.</p> </li></ul> <p>Prior to First Day of Employment</p> <ul> <li> <p>Washington State Patrol Background Check</p> </li><li> <p>Sex Offender Registry Check</p> </li><li> <p>TB test completed within the last year</p> </li><li> <p>Food Worker Card</p> </li><li> <p>Cleared Portable Background Check through MERIT (to include fingerprinting)</p> </li><li> <p>Unofficial Transcripts</p> </li><li> <p>Policy Council Approval</p> </li><li> <p>Provide Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) or Acceptable Version of CIS in accordance with the Washington Department of Health, to include:</p> </li><li> <p>MMR Vaccine or proof of immunity to measles</p> </li></ul> <p>The minimum qualifications may seem specific and limiting, but we do consider candidates with relatable education, experience, and skills. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet exactly what's listed. With questions about qualifications, feel free to reach out to our HR team.</p> <p>How to apply:</p> <p>An online application must be completed for consideration. Click "Apply" at the top of the page to get started. Paper submissions or emailed materials will not be accepted. A complete application must also include the following documents (attached or in the online application itself):</p> <ul> <li> <p>Letter of Interest (cover letter) - describing your interest in Lower Columbia College and this position, how your experience, knowledge/skills, education, abilities etc. meet the qualifications for this position</p> </li><li> <p>Resume</p> </li><li> <p>References - please provide at least three professional references including one current or former supervisor </p> </li><li> <p>Unofficial transcripts (if applicable)</p> </li></ul> <p>Upon request, accommodations are available for persons with disabilities for the Lower Columbia College hiring process. Please contact Human Resources to request an accommodation. The Human Resources Office is accessible to persons with disabilities.</p> <p>Residency Requirement</p> <p>To be employed at Lower Columbia College, applicants must currently reside in Washington or Oregon, or be willing to relocate to one of these states. This is a condition of employment for all positions at the College. Please ensure your application reflects your current residency or intent to relocate if selected for the role.</p> <p>Lower Columbia College Human Resources</p> <p>For any questions regarding this job advertisement and/or department or campus culture, please call our Human Resources office at (360) 442-2120, or email us directly at hr@lowercolumbia.edu.    </p> <p>Equal Employment Opportunity</p> <p>Lower Columbia College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendment Act, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act and Washington State's Law Against Discrimination, Chapter 49.60 RCW and their implementing regulations. All Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX, access, equal opportunity and/or grievance procedures should be directed to Kendra Sprague, Vice President of Foundation, HR & Legal Affairs, 1600 Maple Street, PO Box 3010, Longview, WA 98632, title9@lowercolumbia.edu, Phone number, (360) 442-2120, Phone number/TTY (800) 833-6388.</p> <ul> <li> <p>Learn more on our Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment page.</p> </li><li> <p>The college is compliant with Title IX best practices. For more information, visit About Title IX.</p> </li><li> <p>The college encourages qualified members of protected classes to apply.  </p> </li></ul> <p> </p> <p>Jeanne Clery Statement: Notice of Availability of Annual Security and Fire Safety Report:</p> <p>In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act of 1998, and as a part of the College's commitment to safety and security on campus, Lower Columbia College reports the mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, the required statistics, and other related information for the past three (3) calendar years. Lower Columbia College's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at lowercolumbia.edu/CleryASFR.</p> <p> </p> <p>Declaration Regarding Sexual Misconduct</p> <p>Pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080, applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or professional association or is currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicant's current or past employers or professional association. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who does not complete this form.</p> <p>Mission, Vision & Values</p> <p>Our Mission, Vision & Values define our reason for being, and provide the framework for planning and improvement efforts at LCC. For details on LCC's Mission, Vision & Values, see our Strategic Plan.</p> <p>Conditions of Employment </p> <ul> <li> <p>If you are hired, you will need to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. citizenship or appropriate legal authorization to work for the duration of this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1995.</p> </li><li> <p>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.</p> </li><li> <p>This position is part of a bargaining unit subject to the WFSE HE collective bargaining agreement.</p> </li><li> <p>The College is committed to maintain an environment for teaching and learning which is free of drugs and alcohol.</p> </li><li> <p>If you are hired and are proficient in another language, you will have to take a proficiency test to receive the 5% assignment pay.</p> </li></ul> <p>Anticipated Start Date</p> <p>LCC offers two start dates for new employees - the 1st and 16th or the closest working day.  </p>