Childswork Learning Center is growing, and we are excited to announce an opening for the Classroom Support and Inclusion Specialist position at one of our Preschool for All (Multnomah County) campuses:
- Hosford-Abernethy (NEW location!) — 1920 SE 28th Ave, near SE 28th & Hawthorne
We are seeking passionate, dedicated early childhood professionals to join our stable, mission‑driven organization.
FLSA & PAY STATUS
Current FLSA Status: Exempt
Current Pay Status: Salary - $55,000 - $75,000 (DOE and ORO Step)
Full time 40+ hours a week, full year (245 paid days)
Work Location: Onsite
About Us
We are a Reggio-inspired, constructivist early childhood center. Our non-profit school is located at three beautiful campuses in Southeast Portland, Oregon. Since 1984, our early childhood education center has served a diverse population of children and families, focusing on the development of the whole child with respect and compassion.
Our programs are rooted in developmentally appropriate practice, emergent constructivist pedagogy, and child‑initiated environments that support confident, capable, and creative learners. We believe each young child is inherently curious and able to take an active role in their learning.
As we continue to grow—including our expansion through Multnomah County’s Preschool for All initiative—we are seeking experienced educational leaders to help support our staff, children, and families across three campuses.
Play is a child’s work. Play is a child’s response to life. It is the way children discover themselves and the world around them.
Position Summary:
The Classroom Support Inclusion Specialist (CSIS) plays an important role at Childswork. The CSIS reports directly to the Education Director and works closely with the Assistant Education Directors to support teachers and children throughout the school. The CSIS also supports families, procures specialized learning tools and resources, and collaborates with teachers and admin to create a school environment that meets the needs of all students. The CSI Specialist works under the supervision of the Education Director.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
School & Family Partnerships:
- Build positive relationships with classroom teachers and act as a support and partner in creating classrooms that benefit all children
- Attend all IFSP/IEP meetings with classroom teachers and provide direct support working toward established goals
- Attend caregiver-teacher conferences when requested
- Attend and support
- preschool to kindergarten IEP meetings at the end of the school yearCommunicate with and coordinate outside resources and specialists
- Plan and conduct well-organized and informative Team CSIS Meetings
- Listen well, is approachable, and is available for communications with families
- Is available to support families and children transitioning to elementary school
- Assist families with resources, referrals, and outside support systems
- Facilitate Caregiver Education Workshops and groups
Observations:
- Maintain regular communication with the Education Director regarding concerns, referrals, and diverse needs
- Collaborate with classroom teachers, and communicate with families regarding observed and documented patterns of behavior and/or areas of concern
- Keep copies of individual caregiver communications. Contribute to a comprehensive assessment of children including:
- Information gathered from the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) offered to each family before fall conferences
- Ongoing observations and recording of developmental levels and patterns of behavior
Program Planning and Emergent Curriculum:
- Support the development of emergent curriculum that encourages children to explore, discover, and construct knowledge through thinking, questioning, and experimenting, and embed specific strategies for working with children with a variety of needs
- Observe and listen to children and support teachers in adapting the environment and strategies in response
- Meet regularly to collaborate with MECP providers and private therapists to discuss students’ progress, review accommodations and set new goals
- Ensure flexibility within the planned activity to allow for the use of “teachable moments”
- Embed Evidence-Based Practices within daily routines and activities.
Teamwork and Collaboration with Colleagues:
- Provide support to classroom teachers in developing curriculum and classroom activities that specifically advance objectives for individual children
- Provide teaching partners regular feedback and input regarding progress made towards IFSP/CSIS goals and objectives
- Model inclusive practices
- Act in a professional and reliable manner to all colleagues
- Provide professional development opportunities to the faculty as needed or requested by Education Director
- May be asked to mentor interns, practicum students or student teachers.
Documentation:
- Create Classroom Support Plans, facilitate implementation of the plans and track the efficacy of the plans
- Write and keep records for each child with support needs and/or IFSP
- Collect and track student data
- Create at least two documentation panels throughout the school year highlighting work with children
- Keep and maintain meeting notes with MECP providers, caregivers and teachers
- Keep ASQ’s for children organized and available for Preschool for All and DELC
Physical Environment:
- Create and maintain a clean, well-organized, inviting, and aesthetically pleasing school atmosphere
- Support the creation of a meaningful and functional learning environment
- Provide expertise and support to implement UDL (Universal Designs for Learning) strategies
Training, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Bias Commitment:
- Attend 15 hours of documented training per year (8 hours in child development).
- Attend staff meetings, in-service training, and professional growth.
- Complete all work using a Racial Equity and Anti-bias lens as outlined in school policies
- Participate in staff development, in-service trainings related to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and in early childhood education
- Model appropriate behaviors
Campus Support:
- Act as Substitute Site Director for licensing purposes
- Support all classes in maintaining the safety and cleanliness of the campus
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES
- Ability to create and implement a multi-level curriculum using a progressive and constructivist pedagogy
- Effective classroom management skills
- Culturally responsive teaching practices
- Awareness of gender and multi-cultural issues
- Demonstrate standards of moral character and behavior as required of teachers (e.g., to serve as an effective role model for students)
- Ability to work with children and families from a low-income background and with who English is a second language
- Ideal candidate will have a strong literacy background
- Awareness of gender and equity issues
- Ability to create positive, professional relationships with students, parents, caregivers, and colleagues
- Ability to work as a team member: The ability to problem-solve, compromise, collaborate, be flexible, and take direction when necessary
- Initiative and ability to work with minimal direction; sound judgment and decision making capabilities are essential
- Clear communication skills, both verbally and in written form
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Documentation of attaining at least step 7.5 in the Oregon Registry (documented on the ORO PD Statement)
- Bachelor’s Degree (BS/BA) from college or university with a major in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, special education, or Associate’s Degree (AS/AA) from a college with a major in early childhood education, child development, or related degree, or A 1-year state or nationally-recognized credential (CDA) related to preschool‐age care
- Current enrollment in the Oregon Criminal Registry
- Current Food Handler's card (within the first 30 days of employment)
- Current First Aid and CPR cards (within the first 90 days of employment)
- Participate yearly in at least 15 hours of training or education related to child development or early childhood education
- Must be able to provide proof of state vaccination requirements
BENEFITS
Benefits begin on the first day of the month following a 30‑day waiting period.
- 50% employer-paid medical coverage (employee only)
- 100% employer-paid dental and vision (employee only)
- 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
- 2 weeks PTO
- Sick leave and bereavement leave
- 11 paid holidays
Childswork provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applications for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender expression and identification, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, age, amnesty, or status as covered veteran or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws. QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of color) and/or those with lived experience are encouraged to apply.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Persons with certain disabilities may be capable of performing the essential duties of this class with or without reasonable accommodation, depending on the nature of the disability.
Work Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with extensive student, parent and public contact and frequent interruptions.
Hazards: Potential conflict situations.
Physical Demands: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment; sitting or standing for extended periods of time; kneeling, bending at the waist, reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally to retrieve and store files and supplies; lifting, pushing, pulling and carrying children, office equipment, supplies and materials weighing up to 50 pounds; repetitive hand movement and fine coordination to use a computer keyboard; hearing and speaking to exchange information in person or on the telephone; seeing to read, prepare and assure the accuracy of documents.
Pay Range
Pay is associated with years of direct experience teaching preschool, a minimum of a 7.5 step in the Oregon Registry, active CBR, and reference checks. The range for this position is $55,000-75,000. This is a salary exempt position that requires 30-40+ hours per week, including meetings, parent teacher conferences, professional development trainings, and special events including some weekend work.
Pay: $55,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
