ECE Behavioral Health Center - ECEAP Lead Teacher

Thank you for your interest in our employment opportunities. We invite you to apply to be a part of our dynamic team providing quality educational services throughout Southwest Washington, and other areas of the state. For more information review the NEOGOV Application Guide and Frequently Asked Questions.

General Responsibilities

Reporting to the Early Care & Education (ECE) Leadership team member, the ECEAP Lead Teacher will work in a co-taught preschool setting alongside an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher. The ECEAP Lead Teacher is responsible for providing a safe and engaging educational setting for children whose ages range from three-five years in the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP). Responsibilities include functional supervision and delegation of classroom responsibilities to Classroom Specialists, providing direct services and engaging with children in the classroom, as well as regular collaborative planning and follow-up, using program databases and tools.

Salary:

The full salary range for this position is $46,632.44 - $56,738.25. Our offers are made at the entry level of the range.

Effective September 1, 2025, the new salary range will be $47,804.59 - $58,163.83.

Assignment:

This position will work full-time, 198 days per year and will serve the Early Care and Education Behavioral Health Center, a new program in Vancouver, WA that is being created to serve children ages 3-5 with intensive social, emotional, mental and behavioral supports and services. Anticipated start is the 2025-26 school year.

The ECEAP Lead Teacher must demonstrate exemplary teaching skills, patience, and responsive care practices that are woven together to create quality education experiences, model consistent and stable relationships, while maintaining all necessary documentation within program performance standards. Teachers work within the framework of age-appropriate curriculum and lesson plans, to promote the health, nutrition, and education of children in their care. Teachers must foster and encourage l involvement in educational planning, goal setting, and center activities.

Successful candidates must:

Be able to observe center activities with accuracy in order to effectively supervise child interactions and behaviors.

Be able to effectively communicate verbally with coworkers, children, and families.

Use sound judgment, self-control, emotional competence, and the ability to adjust cognitive patterns to meet the needs of children with diverse backgrounds, varying social-emotional skills, and behavioral challenges.

A complete application will include:

Work history going back 10 years

At least three professional reference's contact information

A Cover Letter expressing interest in the position

A Resume that reflects work experience listed on application

Evidence of a Bachelor's degree or higher (unofficial transcripts or copy of diploma)

Essential Functions/Other Functions

Essential Functions:

Co-plan and provide developmentally appropriate preschool lessons and activities.

Organize classroom environment to effectively promote safety and social-emotional learning.

Develop and implement behavior plans with children.

Organize and conduct parent conferences to address student progress and parent input.

Participate regularly in staff meetings, in-service training, coaching, and other professional development opportunities.

Build on children’s strengths and areas of interest, while helping them gain new skills with a focus on social emotional learning and self-regulation.

Follow all ECE guidance techniques as well as classroom routines including snacks/meals, bathroom supports, cleaning, transportation supports and indoor/outdoor activities.

Implement trauma-informed practices and strategies.

Establish and maintain positive communication using collaborative methods to problem-solve and interact with families, children, and staff.

Work effectively alongside special education personnel, specialists, program support staff, and consultants to support the complex needs of young children.

Maintain all required records and child files in an accurate and timely manner, including daily observations, assessments and artifacts for child portfolios.Other Functions:

Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries regarding the exchange of pertinent information.

Work as a team to focus on quality, responsive caregiving.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum/Preferred Qualifications & Skills

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education or related field with at least 90 credits in ECE.

Three years of experience working with children in a preschool setting.

Experience working with children with complex needs including internalizing and/or externalizing behaviors.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills:

Experience in an ECEAP or special education preschool setting.

Bilingual.

Working Conditions/Employment Requirements

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

Work in a preschool environment with children with mental health challenges including internalizing and/or externalizing behaviors.

Job involves sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, reaching, grasping, bending, stooping, crouching, pushing, and/or pulling. Position involves physical mobility with or without reasonable accommodation to perform essential functions of the job.

Must possess the ability to lift and/or move materials necessary to meet requirements of essential functions of position, which includes exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects including the human body.

Must be able to assist in physical behavioral interventions and/or facility evacuations in the event of an emergency.

Employment Requirements- ESD job offer is contingent up on satisfying the following:

Successful completion of a portable background check (PBC) and clearance through the Department of Children Youth and Families prior to working in program.

Successful completion of emergency procedure training prior to working in program.

Participation in Washington’s State Training and Registry System (STARS) program required.

Valid pediatric and adult CPR certification prior to working in program.

Valid Food Handler’s Card required prior to working in program.

Negative TB test completed within the previous twelve months prior to working in program.

Initial health exam completed by medical provider showing you are free from communicable diseases.

Documentation showing immunity to Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR), either vaccination records or results of a Titer test prior to working in program.

Completion of HIV/Blood Borne Pathogens training prior to working in program.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

ESD 112 does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a disabled person. The following individuals have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Civil Rights compliance Officer: Melissa Kreuder,,

Title IX Compliance Officer: Wendy Niehaus,,

ADA/504 Compliance Officer: Jeffrey Niess,,

The above information will be provided in the appropriate language for persons with limited English language skills by contacting the ESD at .