Early Childhood Program Manager

Bellingham Technical College (BTC) invites applications for one full-time Program Manager for the Early Childhood Career Development Network. This position is anticipated to start around January 6, 2025. This is a special funded professional exempt position, non-represented, and is FLSA eligible for overtime. Continuation of the position is expected each fiscal year but is contingent upon a signed interlocal agreement between Bellingham Technical College and Whatcom County each year. This position reports to the Early Childhood & Family Studies Program Director.
 
BTC’s 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.

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, B.C.
 
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.

• Provide overall management, planning, coordination, and oversight of the Early Childhood Career Development Network while maintaining program compliance and effectiveness;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with community partners, program participants, faculty, contract trainers and staff;
• Oversee and complete enrollment reporting process;
• Provide daily oversight of EC CDN staff and services;
• Develop, manage, and oversee program procedures and college policies in regard to participant enrollment, behavior, and academic plans;
• Manage and present information to prospective and current ECE workforce;
• Work actively with participants and prospective participants towards their educational goals and in program activities;
• Participate in advocacy for the ECE profession;
• Review and implement best practices;
• Represent the college and the Early Childhood Career Development Network in off-campus meetings and events, which may include collaboration with community partners;
• Create quarterly schedules for programming;
• Assist with hiring and personnel issues;
• Manage agreement relationship and oversight process between BTC and Whatcom County;
• Monitor and manage assigned program budget; assist in facilitation of quarterly billings; use budget to purchase and make decisions regarding program and training supplies;
• Build and maintain relationships with funding sources per contract;
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree with at least 2 years of experience working in the field of Early Learning or Early Childhood Education; OR
• AA Degree with at least 6 years of experience working in the field of Early Learning or Early Childhood Education;

AND

• Demonstrated leadership experience;
• Demonstrated experience working in collaboration with others;
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity;
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Education or related field;
• Supervisory experience; 
• Knowledge of the current Early Childhood Education landscape, including educational requirements;
• Evidence of ability to work under pressure, prioritize competing demands, and be flexible;
• Demonstrated problem-solving and analytical abilities.
• Experience working with grants, contracts, and administrative requirements;
• Proficiency in MS Office.

Essential Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
The knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below represent the characteristics and essential performance expectations of the position. Applicants do not necessarily need to enter the position with all of these knowledge, skills, and abilities.

• Knowledge of the field of Early Childhood Education, including state requirements and professional development opportunities;
• Knowledge of related departmental and college policies, procedures and regulations; 
• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills with an ability to work both independently and collaboratively across departments, and with others of varied cultural and socio-economic backgrounds; 
• Work successfully with EC CDN participants, community partners, staff, faculty and students of varied ethnicity, ages, backgrounds, and abilities in an inclusive and participatory manner; 
• Excellent organizational and time management skills and attention to detail; 
• Sound organizational and problem-solving abilities with a service-oriented approach; 
• Knowledge of funding process, grants, and contracts;
• Leadership, supervising and evaluation skills; 
• Strong technology skills, working with spreadsheets, databases, student management systems, and analyzing data and information to prepare reports and statistical analyses; 
• Ability to effectively lead and manage change; 
• Ability to complete detailed work with a high degree of accuracy; 
• Interact according to principles of ethics, integrity, and respect. Work with a variety of work and leadership styles; 
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities and work in high stress situations; 
• Dependability, accountability and the ability to maintain progress on tasks independently; 
• Adapt easily to changing business needs, conditions and work responsibilities; 
• Provide training and technical assistance to others.

Physical and Work Environment:
Abilities for the physical and work environment typically include: Operating a computer; Frequent written and oral communication with others; Making repetitive motions; Standing and/or sitting, while using computers for extended periods of time; Working in an open office with frequent interruptions and distractions; Exercising independent judgment in gathering, arranging, and evaluating data; Exerting between 10-30 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to transport, put, install, remove, or otherwise move objects.Compensation & Benefits:
Salary is $6,314 per month (~$75,768 annually).  

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:
The position will be expected to work full-time. Work schedule will vary but is generally Monday through Friday, during the 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. workday, about 40 hours per week; however, schedule may vary including working more than 40 hours as needed, as well as some weekends and evening work. Regular local travel to different sites will be required, daily, weekly; regional travel will be required monthly and quarterly; occasional work outside of regular business hours.

Terms of Employment:
Background Check: Prior to final hire, a pre-employment background, including criminal history, will be conducted.  Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
 
Application Procedures and Deadline:
Required application materials must be completed and submitted online at http://www.btc.edu/jobs and received by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30th, for priority consideration. Application materials received after this date and time may be considered until the position is filled. More information about Bellingham Technical College is at www.btc.edu or contact the Human Resources Office at (360) 752-8354. You will be contacted if selected for an interview. At this time, BTC is not sponsoring H-1B Visas.
 
 Required Application Materials:

• Completed online BTC employment application;
• Resume;
• Supplemental Questions;
• Official transcripts of any degrees listed as part of the minimum requirements will be required upon hire.

Initial interviews are expected to be held between November 18 through 22, 2024.

Salary : $75,768