Learning Development Associate Jobs in Bellingham, WA

Position will work supportively with teaching staff and home educators, coordinating and taking leadership to achieve school readiness goals for each classroom in the center. Oversee the daily operations of Head Start Classrooms.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Inspire Development Centers provides Early Childhood Education (ECE) and social services to more than 4000 children, in center based and home based setting, at more than 27 Child Development Centers (CDC) throughout the State of Washington. Inspire provides services under various federal and state funded programs with differing regulations and stipulations, which must be coordinated and adhered to, including, but not limited to: Regional Head Start (RHS), Migrant Seasonal Head Start (MSHS), Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) and Early Head Start (EHS). The agency is required to meet an annual quota of non-federal share (in-kind) funds. A large majority of children's first language is Spanish.
Supervisory and Other Relationships
School Readiness Liaison reports to the Center Manager. Although supervision is not a regular part of the job, incumbent will assist the Center Manager in completing Employee Performance Appraisal Reviews. The School Readiness Liaison works closely with teaching staff, the Core Team members, ECE Specialists, Early Learning Mentor Coaches, Parents and Children.
Examples of Essential Duties and Accountabilities
The following examples of duties and accountabilities illustrate the general range of tasks assigned to the position but are not intended to define the limits of required duties. Other essential duties may be assigned consistent with the general scope of the position.
1. School Readiness Plan: Monitor and implement the program and classroom school readiness goals. Coordinate kindergarten transition meetings. Incumbent is responsible for maintaining communication between the center and the local School District, involving Program Support ECE Specialist as needed.
2. Professional Development: Identify training needs and provide onsite training and support to teaching staff related to curriculum planning, ongoing child assessment and its connection to teaching and learning; the aggregation and analysis of child and continuous program improvement; strategies for improving child-teacher interactions; and effective strategies for working with culturally, linguistically, developmentally and age diverse groups of children.
3. Classrooms Daily Operations: Assist the Center Manager and the Center Administrative Assistant in the formulation of classroom staffing and work schedule. Monitor the compliance with required staff-child ratios at all times.
4. Collaboration with Center Management: Provides feedback to Center Manager about teaching staff performance and staffing patterns. Participates in ECE personnel interviews at the center level. Recommends purchase of classroom supplies, materials and equipment.
5. Observation: Conducts regular classroom observations to assess teacher's skill level.
6. Planning/Development: Develop and follow-up on individualize teacher plans.
7. Resource Development: Identifies and utilizes appropriate/available resources to enhance the quality of classroom teaching. Assist teaching staff in finding solutions when concerns arise by defining the issues and selecting strategies for remedying the situations.
8. Relationship Building: Establish and maintain a positive, trusting, supportive relationship with teaching staff and home educators.
9. Cultural Sensitivity: Works together with parents and teaching staff to foster positive self-identity in all children and families.
10. Communication, Listening and Reflective Inquiry: Utilizes effective communication skills - building trust and confidentiality, careful listening, and asking questions for clarification. Foster planning and cooperation with teaching staff through meetings and other means as needed. Provides individual teaching staff with ongoing feedback, modeling, and support toward the goal of quality teaching.
11. Confidential Information: Maintain confidential information, which includes, but is not limited to: health records, participant personal and income information.
12. In-Kind Contributions: Responsible for contributing in any procedure or activity that fosters the contribution of in-kind funds, through the request of goods, services, cash donations, and/or through encouraging professional, community members and parents to volunteer time to the program.
Minimum Qualifications
Incumbents are required to demonstrate knowledge and abilities in these areas:
• AA Degree in ECE or an Associate's Degree with 30 ECE related college credits and experience teaching infant/toddler and/or preschool children;
• English/Spanish bi-lingual fluency;
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of child development theories and practices;
• Working knowledge in curriculum development and planning;
• Experience working in a federally funded and regulated environment;
• Experience in policy and procedure processes;
• Experience in planning and facilitating groups;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills;
• Experience in classroom risk management;
• Understanding of the interrelationships between services and systems;
• Ability to learn new tasks quickly and efficiently;
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines;
• Ability to gather and analyze data for reports via multiple modes;
• Strong customer service focus;
• Ability to work with culturally diverse population;
• Proficiency with personal computer, including Microsoft Office; and
• Accurate data management, documentation and recordkeeping skills.
These skills and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education, experience, and training.
Preferred Qualifications
• Previous Head Start experience.
• Maintain a current Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) or equivalent certificate.
• BA Degree in ECE or a Bachelor's Degree with 30 ECE related college credits and experience teaching infant/toddler and/or preschool children.
Position Requirements
Incumbents are required to have the following:
• Must be at least 18 years of age;
• Valid Washington State driver's license;
• Must provide a yearly driving abstract;
• Must maintain acceptable driving history;
• Proof of automobile insurance;
• Ability to travel to perform job duties and responsibilities;
• Must pass initial and periodic criminal and background check;
• Must pass initial and periodic Department of Early Learning (DEL) background check;
• Must pass initial and periodic employee health clearance; (present it within forty-five (45) days of employment);
• Current Food Handler card; (obtain the training within thirty (30) days of employment);
• Current First Aid / CPR cards, (obtain the training within thirty (30) days of employment);
• Subject to initial and periodic TB screen;
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV / AIDS) training, (obtain the training within thirty (30) days of employment);
• Blood Borne Pathogen training, (obtain the training within thirty (30) days of employment);
• Subject to random drug screen;
• Obtain Fifteen (15) hours continuing in-service training annually;
• Must sign a Confidentiality Agreement; and
• Must complete and sign a Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement on an annual basis.
Benefits Information
A summary of benefits associated with this position can be found at https://inspirecenters.org/careers/. To learn more, click on the following link: https://youtu.be/MnlRqkvydRw
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.