Position Open Date: 04/17/2026
Position Close Date: Open Until Filled
We’re hiring Teachers to staff our established full-year and school-year sites, including our new site Cedar Commons opening in the coming months!
WHO WE ARE:
For 60 years, Opportunity Council has worked throughout Northwest Washington to build just, equitable communities through service, investment, and collaboration. Our mission is to help people improve their lives through education, support, and direct assistance while advocating for just and equitable communities. Part of a national network of Community Action Agencies, we are dedicated to helping people help each other and themselves—building a community where everyone has the chance to thrive and contribute.
OUR VALUES:
At Opportunity Council, our values guide everything we do. Collaboration, respect, integrity, passion, and learning shape how we show up for each other and for our community. We’re also committed to weaving diversity, equity, and inclusion into every part of our work—from the help we offer in the community to the kind of workplace we create for our staff.
To learn more about us and our work, visit our website: www.oppco.org
WHAT YOU WILL DO:
The Teacher works as part of a Center Based Team, providing educational experiences and resource information for children, and their families. Teachers work in a classroom setting 4 to 5 days per week in sessions that range from 3.5 to 6.75 hours. In addition, Teachers complete conferences and home visits with assigned children and families according to the Head Start and/or ECEAP preschool model. Additional time will be scheduled for planning, record keeping, setup and training. Teachers are required to maintain a working knowledge of Federal Head Start Performance Standards, State ECEAP Standards, agency and department policies and procedures and other applicable regulations.
Bilingual Teacher: Serves as a support translator/interpreter in the classroom for communicating verbally and in writing with non-English speaking children.
ABOUT THE SCHEDULE: Monday through Friday, year-round positions for those seeking continuous, full-time employment. Based out of one of our Bellingham locations.
- School-Year Positions: Work August–June with paid school breaks. During the summer, these roles transition to on-call status, offering flexibility while keeping you connected to our team.
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Year-Round Positions: Available for those seeking continuous, full-time employment.
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Full-Time Roles: Based at one of our Bellingham locations.
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On-Call Roles: Available county-wide for maximum flexibility.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- General classroom activities will be cooperatively planned, implemented, and evaluated in accordance with Head Start/ECEAP performance standards, under the supervision of the Site Coordinator, including:
- Design and setup of developmentally appropriate learning center activities.
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Guidance and evaluation of children's progress in assigned classroom areas.
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Planning and implementation of curriculum for a core group of up to19 children.
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Assistance with implementation of classroom volunteers’ activities.
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Participation in the following daily/weekly classroom and program activities. Responsibility and maintenance of:
- Education materials/program equipment,
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Setup and tear-down /cleanup of classroom and meals, and janitorial duties as required,
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Assigned program inventory.
- Participation in planning and implementation of additional special program activities, including classroom visitors and interaction with outside agencies.
- Center specific activities:
- Inclusion: In cooperation with school district teachers and integrated services team, plan for integration of special needs children into classroom operation.
- Home Visitor services will be provided to families, based upon program Center Base Home Visit curriculum and the family and child's individual needs, including:
- Delivery, referral, facilitation, and evaluation of services in the area of community resources, parent involvement and education, health, nutrition, safety, and mental health.
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Sharing of goals and progress of children between home and school settings.
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Developing or supporting individualized family plans based on Family Interest Assessment including parent education one-to-one and in groups, and development of volunteer plans with families.
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May work with translators to facilitate service delivery to ELL families.
- Documentation: responsibility for maintaining individual child/family files, documenting plans and services in the following areas:
- Education:
- Classroom observation
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Individual objectives including speech/language and OT/PT goals
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Written lesson plans reflecting objectives
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Child's Individual Learning Plan
- May include Family Services:
- Family Partnership Plan (FPP)
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FPP goals and objectives
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Ongoing tracking
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In-kind
- May include health/special needs
- Prepares for and attends integrated services staffing as scheduled.
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Required database (ChildPlus, TSG, ELMS, etc.) documentation is comprehensive and well-maintained. Data is complete far all required areas, entered according to the required to schedule, accurate, and current.
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Available for occasional parent events, evening meetings, extended day field trips, workshops, and training.
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Drives program vehicles and provides pupil transportation as assigned.
OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE:
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An AA in early childhood education; or
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A BA or advanced degree in early childhood education preferred; or
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A BA or advanced degree and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education, with experience teaching preschool-age children.
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One year of volunteer or work experience in early childhood education preferred.
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Experience working with families under stress preferred.
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Valid Washington State driver’s license and five-year driving history within Opportunity Council’s Auto Insurance Standards.
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Initial health examination indicating that you are fit for duty and free from communicable disease. Medical checkups are required every 2 years thereafter, including submission of documentation to HR.
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Completed TB test and test results submitted prior to hire date.
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Criminal record check (Portable Background Check through DCYF) to ascertain that the applicant has not been convicted of a child abuse or neglect offense per Washington State Child Abuse Law (Ch. 486, Laws of 1987) or DSHS licensing requirements.
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Must provide, in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, acceptable proof of identity and authorization to work in the U.S.
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Current First Aid card and Infant/Child CPR training (or obtain within 30 days) and must maintain current certificates for length of employment.
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Have (or obtain prior to hire date) and maintain current Washington Food Handler’s Permit during length of employment.
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May obtain a Class “C” commercial driver’s endorsement (CDL) when the program offers training. This license must be maintained during the length of employment.
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If recruitment is for a Bilingual position: Must bilingually speak, write, and read with fluency and proficiency between English and Spanish, Russian, Punjabi, and/or other languages.
We place a strong value in hiring individuals with lived experiences of, poverty and/or homelessness or who have previously participated in Opportunity Council programs or other social services.
OUR BENEFITS PACKAGE:
We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and work-life balance.
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Paid time off earned on an accrual basis (vacation, sick, personal, holidays)
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Paid time off for wellness needs
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Employer-paid holidays
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Employer-paid HDHP and low-cost traditional health care options
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HSA and FSA plans, subject to plan terms
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Eligibility for critical illness insurance coverage
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403(b) Retirement plan with employer contribution
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Eligibility for health coverage for legal dependents
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Eligibility for employee/family dental and vision coverage
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Voluntary benefits such as life insurance, long-term disability, and long-term care and personal legal services
ABOUT WHATCOM COUNTY:
Working with Opportunity Council in Whatcom County is more than just a job, it’s a chance to be part of something bigger. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, our community is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and a shared commitment to positive change. Whether you're supporting local families, advocating for equity, or building programs that uplift our neighbors, you'll find purpose and connection here. Join us in building a stronger Whatcom County where everyone has the chance to thrive and contribute
We believe our team should reflect the communities we serve. That’s why we strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, Veterans, and people with disabilities to apply. Opportunity Council is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not permit discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, marital or family status, pregnancy, military or veteran status, age, genetic information, disability, use of a service animal, or any other status protected by law.
