Burlington Head Start Position
Skagit Valley College exists to expand opportunities and horizons for students and to strengthen the communities in which they live by welcoming and valuing diverse learners, providing quality education and support, and contributing leadership and service. In alignment with this mission, Skagit/Island Head Start builds strong foundations for lifelong learning through family-centered, child-focused partnerships that support children and families, including those experiencing homelessness, poverty, foster care, or child protective system involvement, and other life stressors.
Head Start is a federal program that has served vulnerable children and families for more than half a century and is committed to providing inclusive, nurturing environments where children are not expelled or excluded due to behavioral concerns, disabilities, or special needs. Instead, individualized support ensures that all children are prepared to enter kindergarten healthy and ready to learn. Center staff play a key role in supporting the needs of all children and families while collaborating with community partners to help build stronger communities.
The Opportunity: Under the direction of the lead teacher, this position provides a variety of support to the daily routines and activities of a compliant and developmentally appropriate early childhood center. Working in an early learning center always requires prioritizing children's health and safety. This role requires the ability to see and hear children and staff, work indoors and outdoors in varying conditions, and perform frequent physical activities such as sitting, standing, walking, bending, and lifting children up to 50 pounds (see Working Conditions). You will be assigned to a primary center location within the specified area, and may be moved on a temporary basis, or reassigned to a primary location within that same specified area if required to support program operations and effective centers. Travel to other locations will be required for some pre-scheduled meetings and training.
The center for this position is Burlington Head Start, located at 1575 S. Burlington Blvd. Burlington, WA 98233. This is a 10.8-month, 38 hours per week position. Application materials will be accepted until the position is filled. Applications may be kept on file to be considered for openings that may occur in the future. This position is grant-funded. The extension of the position is dependent on the continuation of funding.
Skagit Valley College cultivates student learning and achievement; contributes to the educational, personal, and economic success of students; and promotes equitable and thriving communities. The primary focus of Skagit Valley College is student-centered teaching and learning. We are committed to: equitable student outcomes in access, achievement, and community; our guiding principles; decisions based on strategy and evidence; the development of our employees; a diverse and inclusive college community where everyone belongs. Respect, integrity, open and honest communication, collaboration, and compassion.
Established in 1926, Skagit Valley College is a comprehensive community college within the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges providing associates and bachelor's degrees, as well as certificates, in high-quality academic transfer pathways, workforce training, basic education for adults, and lifelong learning opportunities. Our equity goals align with SBCTC's Vision statement; "Leading with racial equity, our colleges maximize student potential and transform lives within a culture of belonging that advances racial, social, and economic justice in service to our diverse communities." SVC's commitment to equity and social justice drives our collective work to increase access to higher education, inspire student learning and achievement, and strengthen our diverse community. We embrace equity through our core themes of access, achievement, and community by pursuing the continuous examination and revision of norms, policies, and practices to foster the success of all. SVC aspires to reflect the diverse racial, ethnic, and linguistic demographics in the district, particularly a growing Latinx population. As an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) SVC seeks equity-minded leadership, faculty, and staff that are committed to inclusive practices and diverse environments where students from all backgrounds can thrive via multidisciplinary collaboration and the implementation of an array of services. Candidates representing all aspects of diversity are encouraged to apply.
Skagit Valley College offers an unrelenting focus on our mission to improve the lives of our students and to strengthen our diverse community. Support for innovative teaching, learning, and scholarship. Exciting opportunities for personal and career growth. Diverse cultural and environmental benefits of rural, suburban, and urban lifestyles. Friendly, supportive, and diverse work environments. Excellent benefits include competitive leave packages and an array of health, dental, vision, and retirement plans to meet your current and future needs.
Ensure a safe, nurturing, welcoming, and developmentally appropriate environment. Provide continuous active supervision as established in the center's Active Supervision Plan; welcome children, parents, and all visitors to the classroom; encourage parents, interns, volunteers, and visitors to participate in classroom activities; use positive and intentional language to engage children and facilitate play in support of classroom plans and developmental goals; support embedded strategies and practices within classroom routines and activities to promote all children's progress toward school readiness goals, including children with Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and dual language learners; support the set-up and maintenance of a well-organized, interesting, and safe classroom environment; interact with staff, therapists, volunteers, and parents in a positive and professional manner; during the absence of the teacher, lead children and adults through daily routines and schedules, offering direction and support as needed, and as assigned.
Support health, safety, and nutritional activities and requirements. Conduct playground safety checks, as assigned; conduct daily health checks for children upon arrival, as assigned; assist children with toileting needs, including diapering; support daily meal routines by distributing and serving meals, sitting with children to model appropriate mealtime behaviors, and engaging in social conversations that build connections and support language development; support classroom meal preparation and clean-up, including dishes; clean and sanitize assigned areas, surfaces, and materials as needed, including cots, sheets, towels, and other laundered items; empty garbage cans and clean bathrooms and classroom furnishings, as assigned; administer first aid and respond to medical emergencies as they arise; complete incident reports as required and be available to discuss incidents with parents; in the absence or at the direction of the lead teacher or center manager, administer prescribed or approved non-prescribed medications, as authorized. Document as required; support the individualized health and mental health needs of each child, including behavioral needs; be prepared to support a variety of tasks within the center, including food preparation (assisting in the kitchen) and other operational services, as needed, and as assigned.
Complete administrative tasks and participate in center support. Participate in classroom planning sessions with the classroom teaching team; participate in center team meetings and quarterly family reviews; support the ongoing collection of observational data related to the GOLD assessment; document attendance and meal service, as assigned; support the completion of developmental and/or behavioral screenings within required program timelines; support center parent committee meetings, training, education visits, and other family activities.
Professional Development and program support. Complete annual requirements, including required training (Bloodborne Pathogens, CPS, Active Supervision, Food Handlers, Right Response, USDA), and sign the Confidentiality Statement and Code of Conduct & Ethical Standards forms; engage in program training, coaching, and other professional development activities to enhance job skills and knowledge, completing at a minimum the required 15 hours of classroom-related training each year; maintain good attendance to support optimal child outcomes; complete ongoing job-related program and personal documentation in an accurate and timely manner, including ctcLink time reporting and program surveys; participate in program committees, as desired.
Minimum Qualifications: High School Diploma; fluency in English; experience in an early learning classroom setting equal to one (1) year. Preferred Qualifications: Washington State Early Childhood Education (ECE) Initial, Short or Full Certificate or an Associate's Degree (AA) in Early Childhood Education; oral and written fluency in English and Spanish; experience working with children with an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Salary is based on Range 36, Step A, $3,327 per month with periodic increments to $4,300 per month. Starting salary may be dependent on education, qualifications, and experience. Salary and benefits are subject to change in accordance with legislative mandates and collective bargaining agreements. This position is eligible for overtime pay in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and is dependent upon continued grant funding. This is a union-represented position subject to a collective bargaining agreement. Retirement, medical, and insurance benefits are provided in accordance with state regulations. Additional information on benefits can be found at
Application Procedure: A merit background check including fingerprints through the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF); if hired you will be required to provide proof that you are either 1) a U.S. citizen, or 2) an immigrant whose status permits you to lawfully work in this country; within 30 days of hire, have or obtain the following: an initial health examination indicating freedom from communicable diseases; proof of a Tuberculosis (TB) test taken within 12 months prior to the initial employment date; proof of immunization for measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination OR proof of immunity from measles; CPR/First Aid card; a current
