Position Information Department Family Resource Center (MSA) Position Title Specialist 2-Lead Teacher Job Title Lead Teacher Pool - 2026 Appointment Type Professional Faculty Job Location Bend Benefits Eligible Full-Time, benefits eligible Remote or Hybrid option? Job Summary
The Little Beavs Early Care and Education Center is seeking multiple Lead Teachers. These are full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, professional faculty positions. These positions will be located in Bend, Oregon.
The Lead Teacher is the lead teacher of a single classroom serving children in the Family Resource Center’s Little Kitss Early Care and Education (ECE) center on the Bend campus. Campus early care and education centers are committed to continually discovering, creating, and sustaining a teaching and learning environment that supports inquiry, diversity and equity. This position requires knowledge of child development, excellent communication skills and tremendous patience to provide a safe, emotionally secure and nurturing environment for the healthy development of young children. The Lead Teacher has responsibility for all classroom program operations including the engagement and support of children and families, coordination and supervision of staff, center procedures, curriculum planning and implementation, developmental assessments, medication management as needed and record keeping. Guidelines used for operation will follow Department of Early Learning and Care’s Child Care regulations, state health regulations, and program rules and philosophy. This position supervises staff and provides, as needed, appropriate role modeling and close supervision and mentoring for students enrolled in the Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS) program. The Lead teacher will build and maintain relationships with the parent(s) of each child and ensure clear communication on each child’s progress and care plan.
The Lead Teacher will work collaboratively with other program staff to provide a high quality early care and education program of direct service to young children and their families. This position reports to the Site Director of Azalea ECE Center. This position is informed by the fields of Early Childhood Education, Child Development and Human Development and maintains a working knowledge and compliance with the Oregon DELC Child Care licensing standards and is knowledgeable about the trends and best practices in the field of early care and education. Why OSU?
Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.
FACTS:• Top 1.4% university in the world
• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
• 7 that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
• 217k+ alumni worldwide
• For more interesting facts about OSU visit:
Locations: Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.
Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.
Total Rewards Package:
Oregon State University offers a with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
• Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.
Oregon State University is deeply committed to the principles of a Health Promoting University. This commitment drives a collaborative approach across OSU’s safety and well-being programs, reducing silos and coordinating efforts to enhance employee safety and well-being. By prioritizing resources that support the health of both employees and students, OSU fosters a culture of care and a healthier campus environment where everyone can thrive.
Future and current OSU employees can use the to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU. Key Responsibilities
80% Teaching and Care:
- Develop and implement a developmentally appropriate, play-based, culturally responsive, and equity-oriented educational program with an emergent curriculum for an assigned program and age range of children;
- Prepare and maintain a safe, attractive, neat, and functional environment, both indoors and outdoors, and utilize the environment as a teaching tool.
- Document children’s progress daily to inform curriculum and communicate with parents by recording children’s activities and engagement in the room;
- Develop supportive and caring relationships with parents that fosters a home-school connection to facilitate children’s adjustment and ongoing development and learning;
- Maintain communication with parents through daily documentation and as needed through email, verbally, or by initiating parent conferences/meetings; and encouraging parents to participate in classroom or Center-wide events;
- Write annual assessment reports for parents that describe each child’s uniqueness, developmental history, and developing skills and strengths, and assess children’s progress on an ongoing basis, as needed;
- Form a positive, supportive team atmosphere with other program teachers and staff members;
- Contribute to the Center’s professional community through attendance and participation at staff meetings, classroom team meetings, and other Center staff development opportunities;
- Engage in reflection and action about equity initiatives at the Center;
- Participate at Center-wide events such as Curriculum Night, including preparation and presentation of materials and responding to parents;
- Schedule weekly team meetings with program teachers, staff and director to develop: curriculum, children’s experiences and development, feedback for students and family support; and
- Ensure all federal, local, state, and/or program documentation is completed and accurate.
- Supervise and interact daily with children both indoors and outdoors (for extended periods in varied weather conditions) by maintaining mental and physical alertness and an appropriate level of energy throughout the day.
- Repeatedly lift, reach (overhead, at and below shoulder level), squat, crouch, climb, sit, bend, stretch, twist, grasp/move small objects, push and pull, and engage in all other physical movements needed to fully participate in supervision and curriculum and care delivery activities, which take place while standing, sitting (including on floor or low chairs), and walking.
- Stand for extended periods of time.
- Ability to respond immediately and appropriately to multiple or unexpected situations or emergencies, which may include the necessity to take rapid physical actions to assist children and/or evacuate.
10% Engagement:
- Family Engagement: ensure consistent and clear communication with parents, maintaining an atmosphere of warmth and openness. Discuss information about their child and program information; provide parenting skills and child development theory educational opportunities for parents of children enrolled in program; write parent updates and reports; participate in “open house” for parents; share individualized care plans with parents.
- Make referrals, when appropriate, and assist in the coordination of outside services.
- Support ongoing research through facilitating access to the program room and providing information in support of the Center’s engagement with the HDFS program, and other academic programs as needed.
- Support outreach by modeling a high quality of practice for visitors and engaging with groups outside of the Center about Center practices. Meet with visitors when possible and participate in the design and implementation of special events held at the Center.
10% Supervision and Professional Preparation:
- Train and supervise assistant teachers, student aides, practicum students, and/or volunteers.
- Model exemplary and high quality practice and professionalism for students who are engaged in early childhood professional preparation and other related fields.
- Organize and conduct staff meetings to discuss program and child related concerns and to design and plan curriculum and program activities.
- Provide continual guidance, model appropriate interactions with children, support, and feedback in the classroom, delegating responsibility and authority when appropriate.
- Provide training and information in the areas of child development, child guidance and behavior management, skill acquisition, assessment, and early childhood education, and developing a good rapport with parents.
- Participate actively in one’s own professional development and support the professional development and growth of colleagues and students at the Center.
What You Will Need
- BS or BA in Human Development, Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or related field OR Step 9 in ORO.
- 3+ year of experience in an ECE program.
- Proven experience applying ECE theory in daily activities, and ability to adapt to the individual needs of children.
- Experience mentoring and supervising classroom assistants/support staff
- Demonstrable contributions to promoting and enhancing diversity.
- Effective verbal and written communication.
- Must be enrolled in the Oregon’s Office of Child Care Central Background Registry, hold a current Oregon Approved Food Handlers card, and a current First Aid/CPR card by time of appointment.
This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months. What We Would Like You to Have
- 5+ years of experience in birth to three ECE program
- Experience using child development assessment
- Experience with ECE quality assurance and program accreditation.
- Experience teaching or working with children who have special developmental needs.
Working Conditions / Work Schedule On-site active engagement in an early care and education context interacting with adults and children including work outdoors. Center hours will be 8am-4:30pm. Frequently lift, carry, push, or hold children with a range of weight from 10 to 40 pounds and occasionally lift, carry, push, or hold weight more than 40 pounds. Pay Method Hourly Pay Period 16th - 15th of the following month Pay Date Last working day of the month Recommended Full-Time Salary Range $26.00-$28.50 Link to Position Description
