EARLY CHILDHOOD SPEC 1

The Position

EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM SPECIALIST 1 (Full-Time Classified, Grant-funded)

Open Date: March 25, 2026 Close Date: April 9, 2026 Anticipated Start Date: April 15, 2026 Anticipated Monthly Salary: $3,262.00

PENINSULA COLLEGES COMMITMENT TO EQUITY Peninsula College is committed to fostering an inclusive campus community where every student and employee has access to the support and resources they need to succeed. We believe that respect, connection, and belonging are essential to learning and working well together.

Our Equity Standing Committee, with representation from across the college, guides ongoing work to review policies, practices, and professional learning to support equitable access and student and employee success. We collaborate with campus partners on continuous improvement toward a learning and working environment where everyone can thrive.

Redacted Review Hiring Process At Peninsula College, we are committed to a fair and unbiased hiring process. To support this commitment, we use an application redaction process. Before your materials are reviewed by the screening committee, certain personal identifying details such as your name, the names of schools or organizations you attended, and affiliations that could unintentionally signal identity are removed. This helps reviewers focus on your skills, experience, and qualifications.

We encourage applicants to review their resumes and cover letters before submitting to ensure that your experience and accomplishments remain clear after redaction. If your materials rely on institution names or affiliations to explain your role, you may wish to describe the work and outcomes in your own words, so the impact is still visible to the screening committee.

Our goal is to support a hiring process that is consistent, equitable, and centered on the strengths you bring.

THE COLLEGE Located in the northwest corner of the United States, Peninsula College is nestled in the foothills of the Olympic Mountains. The main campus in Port Angeles, Washington, overlooks the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the nearby city of Victoria, British Columbia, and has easy access to the Pacific Ocean, Olympic National Park, and Seattle. Port Angeles is two hours from Seattle and a one-hour ferry ride to Victoria, Canada.

The College is honored to serve six sovereign American Indian nations in the region: Jamestown SKlallam, Lower Elwha Klallam, Quileute, Makah, Hoh, and Port Gamble SKlallam.

The College is honored to have strong relationships with these six federally recognized Tribes in the Colleges service district. The College is home to Longhouse of Learning. It is the first Longhouse in the nation to be built on a community College campus. The College offers transferable Indigenous language courses in Klallam/SKlallam, Makah and Quileute and Hoh languages. Instructional programs include a Tribal Homeland Security & Emergency Management certificate and an Integrated Indigenous Studies transfer pathway. The College is committed to doing more and taking future direction from the Tribes.

As a public comprehensive community college with baccalaureate-granting authority, Peninsula College is highly regarded by businesses, schools, and community partners for its culture of inclusiveness, innovation, high academic standards, and community engagement. The College is part of the 34-college Washington State Community and Technical College System and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

The College serves more than 2,500 students through its main campus and Port Townsend and Forks campuses, its correctional facilities, community education, and its online course offerings. The College community is vibrant, engaged, and known for its commitment to serving the diverse needs of the local communities across its 3,600 square mile service district.

The College culture is defined by its Guiding Principles and its shared governance model, which values respect, open and honest communication, integrity and collaboration. The College is a leader in the Guided Pathways work in Washington State and sees developing an equitable and socially just institution as a central part of that work. The College is highly regarded as a warm and welcoming place.

Click here for a video about Peninsula College.

POSITION SUMMARY The Early Childhood Program Specialist 1 (Classroom Aide) is responsible for supporting the classroom routines and activities in collaboration with the Early Childhood Program Specialist 2 and 3. This position works under direct supervision, performing entry-level work following clearly defined work procedures and priorities. Duties include performing classroom work such as supporting childrens learning activities and routines such as transitions, rest, choice time, and meals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Engage with children in developmentally appropriate activities.
• Support children with transitions and routines such as indoor/outdoor learning, meals, and small group activities, etc.
• Perform light housekeeping duties that assist with maintenance of a healthy and safe environment for young children.
• Model appropriate guidance techniques and communication skills with young children.
• Be familiar with and support the implementation of the State Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers.

OTHER WORK ACTIVITIES

• Flexibility in supporting lead teaching staff in two classrooms and stepping into their role while they are outside of the classrooms.

DUTIES OF THE POSITION REQUIRE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Be familiar with and help implement the State Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers.
• Previous work with young children.

DUTIES OF THE POSITION REQUIRE THE ABILITY TO

• Maintain confidentiality regarding family information.
• Manage time and multiple tasks efficiently and effectively.
• Demonstrate clear and effective written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work with diverse populations.
• Maintain professional and ethical boundaries with children, families, and staff.
• Work as a team member.
• Possess interpersonal relationship skills.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• May be required to lift moderate amounts of weight up to 40 lbs.
• Requires the ability to stand, stoop, kneel, bend and work with children on the floor for extended periods of time.

REQUIRED WORK SCHEDULE AND WORK ENVIRONMENT Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 7:45am-4:15pm; may require extra hours for special events and staff meetings.

REQUIRED EDUCATION OR CERTIFICATES

• Experience working with young children in a childcare setting or currently enrolled in an Early Childhood Education Program.
• Certificate in Early Childhood Education preferred.
• 30-hr Basic Child Care
• HIV/AIDS certification
• Valid certification in adult, infant and children CPR and first aid.
• Food Handlers Permit.
• Proof of Negative TB Test within the past year.
• Proof of MMR vaccination.
• Satisfactory Criminal History and Background Inquiry with MERIT.

BACKGROUND CHECK Yes, 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 applicants suitability and competence to perform in the position.

EMPLOYMENT TERMS In compliance with the Immigration and Naturalization Act, proof of authorization to work in the United States will be required at the time of hire.

EMPLOYMENT PAY AND BENEFITS INFORMATION

• Full-Time Classified position.
• This is a full-time probationary appointment, that may become permanent at the end of six months of satisfactory employment.
• Anticipated starting monthly salary: $3,262.00 (DOE)
• Full Time Employee Benefits: Excellent benefits: including medical, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance; as of July 1, 2025, Peninsula College contributes $1,333 per month to the cost of the Washington State employee insurance programs.
• Retirement plan options with employer contributions; optional credit union and tax-deferred annuity programs.

Peninsula College is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. If you work for the College full time, have had Direct Loans and are on an eligible repayment plan, you are eligible to apply.

• Sick leave accrual is 8 hours per month.
• Vacation Leave accrual is 11.33 hours per month and will increase with years of experience.

Application Submission Procedure: A complete application file will include:

• College employment application (online)
• PDF - current resume
• PDF - Cover letter addressing specific qualifications of this position, and provide a one to two sentence statement on how you may be able to contribute to a culture of equity at Peninsula College
• PDF - three current professional references qualified to assess your experience and ability to perform the duties specified. Please include references name, email addresses and telephone numbers

In compliance with the Immigration and Naturalization Act, proof of authorization to work in the United States will be required at the time of hire.

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 applicants suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Application materials may be uploaded electronically, by mail, or email to: Human Resources Peninsula College 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd. Port Angeles, WA 98362 Phone: (360) 417-6298 Email: pchr@pencol.edu

Applications submitted electronically will be accepted without signatures.

Jeanne Clery Statement: Notice of Availability of Annual Security Report - Peninsula Colleges Annual Crime/Security Report is available here, containing mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, required statistics, and other related information. To obtain a paper copy of the report, please call 360-417-6559.

Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment: Peninsula College is compliant with Title IX best practices. For more information visit, Anti-Harassment and Nondiscrimination | Title IX.

Peninsula College does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, families with children, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, including gender identity, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities. Coordination of compliance is the responsibility of the Human Resources Officer, Hanan Zawideh, hzawideh@pencol.edu, (360) 417-6212

Requesting Accommodations for Employment: Please contact the Peninsula College Human Resources office, 360-417-6298 or email pchr@pencol.edu to request for any accommodations.

Peninsula College is an equal opportunity employer.