ECEAP Lead Instructor

2026-27 SCHOOL YEAR POSTING

POSITION:

ECEAP Lead Instructor*

SCHEDULE:

7 hours per day; 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (start/end times may be adjusted based on student/building need); Monday-Friday; School Year

LOCATION:

SSS/Sunset Elementary

SUPERVISOR:

Building Principal(s); Department Director(s)

POSITION TYPE:

Classified, Ongoing

COMPENSATION:

$22.43-$27.19/hour* depending on comparable experience; Pay is annualized over 12 months (if hired after start of school year, spread over remaining months of fiscal year (Sept-Aug))

OTHER COMPENSATION:

Degrees eligible for a salary enhancement as follows, regardless of degree program or position with the district (cannot be stacked in the case of multiple degrees (highest degree stipend will be applied))

• AA, BA, MA degree, or PhD, adds $0.50/hour, $1.00/hour, $1.50/hour, $2.00/hour, respectively

BENEFITS:

Medical, dental, vision, and basic life and AD&D insurance; retirement plan; deferred compensation (DRS and TSA); paid holidays; paid leave

QUALIFICATIONS:

High school diploma or equivalent (documentation required prior to beginning employment); AA degree* or higher with 30 college quarter credit hours in Early Childhood Education or a valid Washington State Teaching Certificate with an endorsement in Early Childhood Education or Early Childhood Special Education (A professional development plan may be developed that results in an AA degree with five years of employment; For T1 funded positions and/or T1 schools: Must have (1) completed two years of study at an institution of higher education; (2) obtained an associate's (or higher degree; OR (3) met a rigorous standard of quality and be able to demonstrate through a formal state or local academic assessment, knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and mathematics in order to be considered for a position); Experience working with students in an educational setting and/or evidence of an interest in supporting learning experiences preferred; Must hold a current and valid food handler's permit; Must have access to reliable transportation; Ability to use proper grammar, spelling, and language in both oral and written communication, as well as basic math skills; Basic computer knowledge and skills, including Google Workspace, MS Windows and Word; WSP/FBI criminal history background clearance

POSITION: ECEAP Lead Teacher

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Employees working in early learning/preschool settings are vital to the success of the program and to each child's development. Young children learn through a combination of intentional play and exploration and language-rich environments. In the ECEAP program, adults foster exploration, language, and positive relationships is integral to an early learning environment.

Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP, pronounced E-Cap) is funded by the State of Washington and provides an educational setting for children, as well as family support and involvement. ECEAP primarily serves children and families who meet eligibility requirements based on age and family income. The ECEAP Lead Teacher is responsible for observing and assessing children's development, planning and implementing curriculum, and maintaining a safe learning environment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

An employee hired for this assignment may perform all or some of the responsibilities defined below:

• Implement adopted curriculum
• Create and design instructional activities and classroom routines
• Conduct therapist-designed instructional experiences
• Observe and assess children's development following Department of Early Learning (DEL) guidelines
• Design and maintain a safe, organized learning environment
• Work with individual and small groups of students
• Foster social and language development through various activities and active engagement with children
• Administer assessment materials as trained or delegated
• Prepare instructional materials and perform clerical duties associated with instructional program and ECEAP guidelines
• Supervise, model, and teach positive expectations and behaviors across educational settings, including classrooms, lunchroom, playground, hallways, etc.
• May support implementation of individual behavior support plans and academic goals as per IEP
• Implement and support individual and school-wide behavior support plans and positive interventions
• Assist student(s) with diet, feeding, personal care, hygiene, movement, and mobility needs
• May lead or support age/developmentally appropriate de-escalation/restraint procedures
• Support preparation and facilitate family style meals and snacks for children
• Responsible for knowledge of all health plans/medications. May administer medications pursuant to Board policy and pursuant to state and federal law
• Encourage and support family involvement in all aspects of program, including home visits, parent/teacher conferences, and classroom volunteering. Communicate frequently and routinely with families
• Attend training and meetings as required by ECEAP professional standards
• Enter/record data in ECEAP and student information management system, as well as daily student data, as needed
• Consistently and respectfully respond to student needs while maintaining confidentiality
• Perform first aid

The preceding list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.

Each of the positions at the specific school serves as one unit of the whole team, and as such, is subject to assignment to tasks in other areas within the classification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of: student safety and participation in activities which contribute to a positive school climate; positive and corrective behavior management techniques; Washington state and district safety and discipline laws and policies; school-related law and accommodation procedures for students with special needs; use technology to enhance effective record keeping and communication of safety and access plans; computer skills, including the ability to create and modify documents and to adapt to new technologies, e-mail, internet, etc.; district student information system

Ability to: maintain ECEAP and Department of Early Learning (DEL) professional educational requirements; work in a team setting and take direction; balance firm and consistent discipline with positive behavior intervention and supports (PBIS); learn and apply both positive and corrective behavior management techniques; promote students' best interests through positive role modeling and student advocacy; remain calm in times of high stress; move quickly to meet student needs; maintain safety and respond to crisis; maintain confidentiality; supervise unstructured activities, including ability to respond quickly to an emergency or student need; demonstrate enthusiasm for student safety and wellbeing at school; possess organizational skills; demonstrate a strong work ethic; know when to lead specific actions for successful implementation; be trained in district-approved de-escalation and restraint procedures as required; learn and operate a variety of educational/office equipment; read and follow written and verbal instructions, as well as communicate clearly in both verbal and written communications; use proper grammar, spelling, and language in both oral and written communication, as well as basic math skills; work variable hours as requested/needed; work alone or in a team setting; collaborate effectively with administrators and teachers; maintain positive relationships with students, parents, co-workers, and community members

MENTAL DEMANDS

• Required to deal with a wide range of student, staff and public behaviors and needs in a positive and service-oriented manner
• May experience shifts in work schedule and/or work site according to district needs
• Sustain mental awareness while also maintaining attention to details and safety requirements
• May occasionally deal with distraught or difficult students or parents

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Amount of sitting, standing and walking may vary depending on the age of students and classroom assignments. Generally, the job requires 20% sitting, 40% walking, and 40% standing.
• The usual and customary methods of performing the job''s functions require the following physical demands: the employee frequently will stand and walk and use hands for repetitive grasping and significant fine finger dexterity. The employee is frequently required to sit, bend at neck and back, use hands to push/pull and lift/carry; squat, kneel, climb stairs or ladders, reach overhead, lift overhead, and knee stand.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent (documentation required prior to beginning employment)
• AA degree* or higher with 30 college quarter credit hours in Early Childhood Education or a valid Washington State Teaching Certificate with an endorsement in Early Childhood Education or Early Childhood Special Education
• A professional development plan may be developed that results in an AA degree with five years of employment
• For T1 funded positions and/or T1 schools: Must have (1) completed two years of study at an institution of higher education; (2) obtained an associate's (or higher degree; OR (3) met a rigorous standard of quality and be able to demonstrate through a formal state or local academic assessment, knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and mathematics in order to be considered for a position
• Experience working with students in an educational setting and/or evidence of an interest in supporting learning experiences preferred
• Must hold a current and valid food handler's permit
• Must have access to reliable transportation
• Ability to use proper grammar, spelling, and language in both oral and written communication, as well as basic math skills
• Basic computer knowledge and skills, including Google Workspace, MS Windows and Word

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

• ECEAP Classification on Public School Employees of Cheney Salary Schedule
• School year position: 180 days; hours per day and days per week vary by position; district may revise assignment and job location as needed

CLEARANCES

WSP/FBI criminal history background clearance

EVALUATION

The employee shall be evaluated per the terms of the Public School Employees (PSE) Collective Bargaining Agreement by the building principal, department director, or designee. The process shall include an evaluation of the employee's performance of the above Duties and Responsibilities and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.

CONTINUING EDUCATION/TRAINING

• Must complete school safety training within thirty (30) calendar days from hire date and annually thereafter
• Must acquire and maintain CPR/First Aid card within sixty (60) calendar days from hire date and as scheduled thereafter
• Attend designated trainings as specified by supervisor and/or department director in order to maintain knowledge/skills
• Must maintain ECEAP and Department of Early Learning (DEL) professional educational requirements
• Participate in required 320 hours per year of child direct service hours (when 10 or more students are present)

HISTORY

Job description and format updated: March 2026

CLASSIFICATION:

ECEAP

LOCATION:

SSS/Sunset

REPORTING

RELATIONSHIPS:

Position is supervised and evaluated by the building principal or department director. Position takes direction from classroom teacher and building principal and/or department director.

COMPENSATION:

Placement on the PSEC Salary Schedule

REPRESENTATION:

Public School Employees of Cheney (PSEC) a local chapter of Public School Employees Union (PSE) SEIU Local 1948

Cheney Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, economic status, pregnancy, familial status, marital status, disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions: Title IX/Chapter 28A.640 Officer/Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator/ADA Coordinator - Brett Hale, Assistant Superintendent, Cheney School District, 12414 S. Andrus Rd. Cheney, WA 99004 Phone: (509) 559-4550; Section 504 Coordinator - Franklin Day, Director of Student Support Services, Cheney School District, 12414 S. Andrus Rd., Cheney, WA 99004 Phone: (509) 559-4507.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER