Job Description Job Description: Full-Time Substitute Educator / Program SupportGeneral Job Description The Full-Time Substitute Educator / Program Support role is an essential part of Hilltop's daily operations. This position provides reliable and flexible coverage across classrooms serving infants through school-age children, as well as other program areas, to support safe staffing levels, continuity of care, and smooth center operations. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, hourly position scheduled for 40 hours per week. Unlike an educator assigned to one classroom, this position does not have a permanently assigned classroom or daily assignment. The employee must be comfortable working with all age groups served by Hilltop, from infants through school-age children, and may be assigned to different classrooms and teaching teams throughout the week or workday. This position also provides broader program support and may be assigned to assist in the kitchen, office, or other program areas based on Hilltop's daily staffing and operational needs. Because this position provides coverage across age groups, the employee must be comfortable and experienced with routine caregiving responsibilities, including diapering children using both lying-down and standing diaper-changing procedures, toileting assistance, feeding, rest and sleep routines, transitions, and other developmentally appropriate personal-care needs. Flexibility, dependability, communication, professionalism, and the ability to transition successfully between responsibilities are essential to this position.Schedule and Availability This is a full-time position scheduled for 40 hours per week. Because the primary purpose of this position is to provide substitute and operational coverage, daily start and end times, classroom placements, and other assignments may vary based on Hilltop's staffing and program needs. Employees in this position must be available and reachable between 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on scheduled workdays to receive daily assignment and scheduling information. Assignments will be communicated as early as practicable. Daily assignments may include classroom coverage, opening or closing coverage, staff breaks, ratio coverage, kitchen support, office or administrative support, or other program responsibilities consistent with the employee's qualifications and training. Assignments may change during the workday based on staffing ratios, employee absences, enrollment, program needs, emergencies, or other operational circumstances. All hours worked must be accurately recorded. Employees may not perform work off the clock. Overtime must be approved in advance; however, all hours actually worked must be reported and will be compensated as required by applicable law.Classroom Responsibilities When assigned to a classroom, the Full-Time Substitute Educator will: Provide teaching and classroom coverage for infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age programs. Maintain active supervision and required staff-to-child ratios and group sizes. Build warm, responsive, and professional relationships with children. Provide a welcoming, inclusive, developmentally appropriate learning environment. Support children's physical, social-emotional, cognitive, and developmental needs. Follow established classroom schedules, routines, curriculum plans, individual support plans, and guidance practices. Support playful learning experiences using Hilltop's curriculum and educational approaches. Work collaboratively with primary educators, mentor educators, support educators, and other members of the teaching team. Observe children and communicate relevant information to the teaching team. Communicate professionally with families when appropriate, particularly when covering for a primary educator. Provide routine caregiving, including lying-down diaper changes, standing diaper changes, toileting assistance, handwashing, feeding, meals and snacks, rest and sleep routines, and changing soiled clothing, as appropriate to each child's age and needs. Maintain children's privacy and dignity while providing personal care. Follow Hilltop and DCYF requirements for diapering, toileting, sanitation, handwashing, feeding, safe sleep, and other routine care. Maintain active supervision during diapering, toileting, meals, transitions, outdoor activities, and other caregiving routines. Assist with classroom cleaning, sanitizing, organization, and preparation. Maintain confidentiality regarding children and families. Follow applicable health, safety, emergency, mandated reporting, allergy, medication, sanitation, and supervision requirements. Prioritize active supervision and engagement with children over administrative tasks or adult conversation. Occasional Kitchen Coverage As a secondary responsibility, the Full-Time Substitute Educator may occasionally provide substitute coverage in Hilltop's kitchen when classroom coverage needs allow. Kitchen responsibilities may include food preparation; meal and snack service; distributing food to classrooms; washing dishes; cleaning and sanitizing kitchen areas; organizing and storing food and supplies; and following Hilltop's allergy, dietary accommodation, sanitation, and food-safety procedures. Employees performing applicable food preparation or service responsibilities must maintain a current Washington State Food Worker Card.Limited Office Coverage On rare occasions, the Full-Time Substitute Educator may be asked to provide basic office coverage when classroom and kitchen staffing needs have been met. This may include answering phones, greeting families or visitors, organizing or preparing materials, copying or filing documents, and providing other basic administrative support. Office coverage is not a primary responsibility of this position, and employees will only be provided access to confidential information or systems necessary and appropriate for their assigned responsibilities.Program and Center Operations The Full-Time Substitute Educator / Program Support employee is expected to: Be responsive to changing staffing and operational needs throughout the workday. Transition between classrooms, age groups, departments, and responsibilities as needed. Support continuity of care and positive experiences for children and families throughout Hilltop. Follow Hilltop policies, procedures, and professional expectations. Communicate promptly regarding absences, delays, schedule changes, or circumstances affecting the employee's ability to provide coverage. Maintain shared spaces in a clean, organized, safe, and welcoming condition. Participate in required meetings, training, professional development, reflective practice, and center-wide activities. Support center operations during unexpected staffing changes and other operational needs. Communicate professionally and respectfully with children, families, coworkers, supervisors, and community members. Perform other reasonable duties consistent with the employee's qualifications, training, safety requirements, and the general nature of the position. Regular reassignment is an expected part of this position. An employee may begin a workday in one classroom or department and be reassigned based on staffing ratios, absences, enrollment, kitchen needs, administrative needs, emergencies, or other operational circumstances.DCYF and Licensing Requirements Employment is contingent upon meeting and maintaining applicable Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) licensing requirements for the duties the employee is assigned to perform. Employees must: Maintain required DCYF background-check clearance. Maintain an active and accurate MERIT account. Complete required DCYF orientation, health and safety, preservice, and ongoing training within applicable timelines. Maintain current First Aid/CPR certification as required. Maintain required Bloodborne Pathogens training. Maintain a current Washington State Food Worker Card when performing applicable food-service responsibilities. Complete required Mandated Reporter, Emergency Preparedness, Safe Sleep, and other applicable training. Meet or make required progress toward applicable early childhood education qualifications and credentials within timelines established by DCYF and Washington law. Remain familiar with and follow applicable WAC requirements and Hilltop policies. Assignment to a classroom does not authorize an employee to perform responsibilities for which they do not have the required qualification, training, certification, or supervision.Qualifications Must be at least 18 years of age. High school diploma or equivalent required. Previous experience working with children in early learning, childcare, school-age care, education, recreation, or a related setting is preferred. Must be comfortable working with and providing care for children across all age groups served by Hilltop, from infants through school-age children. Previous experience changing diapers is required, including experience with both lying-down and standing diaper-changing procedures. Must be comfortable assisting children with toileting and other routine personal-care needs. Must be willing and able to follow Hilltop and DCYF requirements related to health, sanitation, diapering, toileting, feeding, safe sleep, and caregiving. Must be able to meet applicable DCYF qualification, background-check, training, and professional-development requirements. Must be comfortable transitioning between different age groups, classrooms, teaching teams, kitchen responsibilities, and office responsibilities based on daily program needs. Must be able to communicate professionally with children, families, coworkers, and supervisors. Must demonstrate reliability and the ability to respond appropriately to changing assignments and priorities . click apply for full job details
