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Central Washington University is recruiting a Preschool Teacher ( 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 enhance the vision for the University. The role is an 11-month cyclic campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a competitive salary 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 ~8,300 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 seven out of eight years, CWU was a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025.
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 and Total Rewards Calculator .
The Role:
The Early Childhood Learning Specialist 3 (ECPS 3) provides quality care and early learning educational instruction to meet the needs of children aged 4 weeks to 12 years of age enrolled in the Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC). This position is responsible for creating, managing, and assessing the daily activities, curriculum lesson plans, and classroom environment both indoor and outdoor. The ECPS 3 will be assigned to a specific room and age group by the Director based on center needs. This position works as part of a team with other staff at ECLC to ensure a quality learning and growing environment and may be asked to provide additional support as needed when other staff are absent or on leave. This position leads student staff to supplement a staff/child ratio according to DCYF (Department of Children Youth and Families) and state guidelines.
All employees are expected to uphold and contribute to CWU's vision, mission, and values, fostering a culture of student success and institutional excellence.
Job Duties
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 or through the digital management system.
- 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 and provide parents with information on childcare techniques. Work closely with Director and other staff to provide seamless early learning for 4 weeks-12 years at both locations and share information when children are transitioning to different rooms.
- 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. Lead and keep on task any student staffing in the classroom ensuring a teacher-to-child ratio according to DCYF guidelines. Establish student staff assignments to daily learning centers. Provide the Director feedback and input on student employee performance and/or needed corrective action plans.
- 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 Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), administered by the Office Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).
- 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 and monitor progress of each child.
- Discusses progress of the child with their parents and respond to parents' concerns and design individualized educational materials.
- Maintain a healthy and safe environment indoor/outdoor 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.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in either Early Childhood Education, Education, Family Studies or Special Education OR two years of experience working with children ages 4 weeks to 12 years, in a group setting.
• Ability to correctly draft and produce written material, identify and correct errors in grammar, punctuation and spelling.
• Demonstrated ability and/or experience working collaboratively with students and/or colleagues to foster a supportive and effective learning and work environment.
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Within 30 days of hire, successful candidates 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.
• HIV/Blood Borne Pathogen Training Certification.
• Possession of valid Washington State Food Handler's Permit.
• Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) cleared fingerprints and Portable Background Check Certificate through the MERIT system. (Managed Education and Registry Information Tool).
• Basic 30-hour training or equivalent credits.

Preferred Qualifications

• Four years of experience working with children of the ages 4 weeks to 12 years, in a group setting.
• 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.
• Demonstrated experience in mentoring and guiding students or junior staff members.
• Experience or interest in mentoring students from a variety of backgrounds.
• A record of promoting institutional excellence in the work environment.

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 Belonging: Values the uniqueness of every individual and fosters an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to thrive.

Don't meet every single requirement? At CWU, we're committed to creating a welcoming and genuine workplace. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. This could be the opportunity you're looking for!
Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule
Salary : This position is based on the range 48 of the Washington State Classification Listing, which has a minimum annual salary of $51,840 and maximum annual salary of $69,744. 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. (Based on a 12-month appointment)
Schedule/Appointment : Monday - Friday, 8:30am-5:30pm (1 hour lunch) / Potential variation / 11-month cyclic appointment / PSE Bargaining Unit 5
Working Conditions : The Early Childhood Learning Center is located north of campus in Brooklane Village. The "Green Room" or after school program is located on the CWU main campus in Michaelsen Hall, Rm. 109, with adjacent playground and is surrounded by University Academic Buildings. Work includes 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, COVI-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 and Total Rewards Calculator .
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 .
How To Apply
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 19, 2026
**Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.
Contact Information
Name: Michelle Hill
Title: Director, Early Childhood Learning Center
Email: Michelle.Hill@cwu.edu
Phone: (509) 963-1862
Website: www.cwu.edu/early-learning/
Please contact Human Resources at hr@cwu.edu or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process.
Conditions of Employment
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 ...