See Position Description

Exempt/Professional

Child & Family Studies

11/7/2024 5:00 PM Pacific

 

 

Bellingham Technical College invites applications for two full-time, exempt (non-represented) professional positions as Early Childhood Career Development Network (EC CDN) Advisors. Position(s) is anticipated to begin in January 2025. These positions are overtime eligible under FLSA and are at-will. Continuation of the positions is expected but is contingent upon a signed inter-local agreement between Bellingham Technical College and Whatcom County each year. This position reports to the Early Childhood & Family Studies program Director.
 
BTCs Early Childhood Career Development Network (EC CDN) supports the recruitment and retention of a talented Early Childhood workforce through a well-coordinated, collaborative, and integrated professional development system. Comprehensive career development services are provided for current and aspiring early childhood professionals including competency-based teacher education programs, innovative models of training and technical assistance, and well-informed academic and career advising. The EC CDN promotes workforce diversity and equitable access to professional development. The Early Childhood Career Advisor is responsible for advising individuals about pathways offered throughout Whatcom County to meet the hiring and education qualifications. The Career Advisor will assist individuals with professional development and general career guidance, including job search skills.

BTC is a premier higher education institution working to provide student-centered, high quality professional technical education throughout Whatcom County and is the only technical college serving northwest Washington State. Bellingham rests in the scenic northwest corner of Washington State where the Cascade Mountains meet the Salish Sea between Seattle, WA and Vancouver, BC.
 
BTC is committed to creating and maintaining a welcoming campus that supports diversity, promotes a sense of community, provides an effective work and learning environment, and encourages respect for individuals.  As an Equal Opportunity employer, BTC values diversity and aims to recruit employees that reflect the diverse backgrounds of our community, including ethnicity, national origin, religion, race, gender, gender identity, age, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, disability, political status, and sexual orientation. The successful candidate will be expected to establish a successful and supportive working and learning environment for a diverse college staff and student population with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

Position Duties & Responsibilities

 

• Understand WA State Early Childhood Education (ECE) requirements for the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), and have a growing familiarity with current and related culturally relevant professional ECE standards (Download PDF reader);
• Maintain an understanding of professional development opportunities available to early childhood educators in Whatcom County and our region;
• Communicate regularly with local providers of professional development to improve services/connection to our ECE students/professionals, and to understand the current educational options and pathways in order to meet a students or working professionals career goals;
• Offer in-person and virtual advising services which include: orientation to the field of ECE, knowledge of professional development (PD) pathways, assistance with job placement, resume building, connections with PD providers in our community, ongoing support and guidance;
• Be familiar with a variety of roles in ECE field, and pathways leading to these professions;
• Provide off campus visits to accommodate providers needs;
• Document lived experiences that demonstrate the benefits of this program, in order to secure additional funding for future development;
• Provide referrals to support services or outside agencies, as appropriate; 
• Provide pertinent information on ECE programs and courses, admissions, academic and graduation requirements; 
• Meet individually and in small groups with EC CDN participants, or individuals interested in the field of ECE; 
• Advise prospective and current ECE CDN participants regarding educational and career pathways; 
• Communicate regularly and effectively with advisees including by proactively utilizing technology and personal contacts; 
• Attend ECE CDN advisory committee meetings; 
• Be knowledgeable of outside agencies such as DCYF, Child Care Aware, higher education institutions, K-12, Imagine Institute, etc.
• Provide career planning and informational workshops, presentations and reference materials;
• Provide individual and group career services assistance from career exploration through job and internship search and career fairs; 
• Exercise excellent oral and written communication skills including development of effective advising and retention communication efforts and initiatives; 
• Conduct group advising sessions, workshops, seminars, etc.; 
• Assess programs and services for usage and effectiveness; 
• Attend meetings on and off campus, as scheduled; 
• Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
The knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below represent the characteristics and essential performance expectations of the position. Applicants do not need to enter the position with all of these knowledge, skills, and abilities.
 
Knowledge of:

• College policies and procedures; 
• Professional development offerings throughout Whatcom County.

Skills:

• Strong skills in working collaboratively and effectively in a team environment with a customer service focus;
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Suite; 
• Skills to work with computer terminals and standard office equipment; 
• Effective oral and written communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc.; 
• Skills to deliver information accurately; 
• Effective communication skills in working with populations having diverse socio-economic and racial and cultural backgrounds and persons with physical and/or learning disabilities; 
• Excellent organizational skills.

Ability to:

• Work independently with minimal supervision; 
• Maintain confidential information; 
• Work with various departments and foster teamwork; 
• Work with individuals of varied ethnicity, ages, backgrounds, and abilities in an inclusive and participatory manner; 
• Gather and analyze information; 
• Process information and complete detailed work; 
• Facilitate and conduct workshops, seminars and presentations; 
• Identify and resolve problems in a timely manner.

 

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications & Essential Elements:

• Valid Drivers License, or ability to obtain by hire;
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion;
• Associates degree from an accredited institution AND at least two years of experience in early learning or early childhood education;

OR 

• a combination of experience and training that provides the applicant with the knowledge and skills to perform the job.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual written and oral in Spanish/English. Comfortable translating and engaging the community in both languages;
• Bachelor's degree or higher degree; 
• Experience working in social services, academic/career advising or counseling; 
• Experience in case management;
• Demonstrated ability to support the success of individuals with varied academic abilities and backgrounds; 
• Experience working successfully with a team; 
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and abilities. 

Physical Working Environment and Essential Position Elements:
Use of standard office equipment and computer terminals; detailed oriented; ability to work independently and with minimal supervision; excellent customer service, communications and organizational skills; accuracy in information delivery; Work with various software packages including MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access and database management; may be required to sit and/or stand for long periods of time. Regular office setting which requires 2 to 8 hours per day working at a computer and/or desk, ability to travel is required on a regular basis for off-campus site visits.

 

Supplemental Information

Compensation, Benefits and Work Schedule:
Salary is $5,367 per month ($64,404 per year).
 
Leave will be in accordance with BTC Policy 525.1 - Leave Guidelines for Grant/Special Funded Positions.  These position(s) receive 8 hours per month of sick leave, 16 hours per month of vacation leave, 24 hours of personal leave and 12 paid state/college holidays per calendar year. Benefits also include a Washington State insurance package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability; a retirement benefits package, with choice between the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Plan 3 or the State Board Retirement Plan (SBRP) 401A plan TIAA. Additional optional benefits include ability to participate in a medical Flexible Spending plan, Limited Purpose Flexible Spending plan, or Health Savings Account; Dependent Care Assistance; discounts for automobile and homeowner insurance, tuition waiver; two voluntary investment (not matched) programs - TIAA (403b) or the State Deferred Compensation (457) plan. Employee Assistance Program (EAP); up to 21 days of military leave; up to 5 days of paid bereavement leave, paid civil/jury duty, ability to participate in a shared leave program; up to 2 days of unpaid holiday for reasons of faith or conscience.
 
Work schedule is generally Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week. May include occasional split shifts, night and weekend activities. Local travel may also be required. The position will include limited remote work as coordinated and approved by the supervisor. 

Application Procedures and Deadline:
Required application materials must be completed and submitted online at www.btc.edu/jobs and received by 5 p.m. on November 7, 2024. Application materials received after this date and time will not be considered. More information about Bellingham Technical College is at www.btc.edu or contact the Human Resources Office at (360) 752-8354. BTC is not currently sponsoring H-1B Visas.
 
Required Online Application Materials:

• Completed Online BTC Employment Application & Online Supplemental Questions; 
• Attached Current Resume (Word or PDF File only). 

Initial Interviews are scheduled between December 2 through December 4, 2024.

 

The application package and all materials submitted with it become the property of the college and will not be returned or considered for additional or future openings.

Mission: Bellingham Technical College provides student-centered, high-quality professional technical education for today's needs and tomorrow's opportunities.

Employment Eligibility Verification: Bellingham Technical College employs only United States citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the Department of Homeland Security.

Non Discrimination/Equal Opportunity: Bellingham Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, national origin, age, religion, disability, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, genetic information, 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, pregnancy, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in its programs, activities, and services. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Tami Willett, Executive Director for Human Resources, 3028 Lindbergh Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225, 360.752.8354, or hr@btc.edu. For Title IX/Section 504 compliance, contact: Michele Waltz, Title IX Coordinator, 3028 Lindbergh Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225, 360.752.8440, or titleix@btc.edu. BTC publications are available in alternate formats upon request by contacting the Accessibility Resources office at 360.752.8576.