Specialist - ECE Infant, Toddler and Preschool

ECE Specialist – Infant, Toddler, and Preschool Roles for our SE location - 50 SE 17th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97214

Are you an experienced early childhood educator eager to take the next step in your career?

Do you have a passion for mentoring others while staying directly engaged in the classroom?

ChildRoots, a small family of locally and woman-owned child care centers in Portland, Oregon, is seeking dedicated Specialists for all locations to provide hands-on coaching and leadership to teachers and support staff. Since 2007, our progressive, play-based schools have fostered curiosity, collaboration, and consent in an enriching learning environment.

About the Role
A ChildRoots Specialist serves as the essential bridge between classroom educators and school leadership. This role is designed for individuals who are:
 

• Highly knowledgeable in the developmental needs of the age group they are supporting (Infant, Toddler, or Preschool).

• Strong communicators with excellent coaching skills to guide teachers and support staff.

• Organized and analytical, with proficiency in written communication and Microsoft Office Suite.

• Committed to professional growth and mentoring, helping to align daily classroom activities with ChildRoots’ educational philosophy.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct coaching and feedback to classroom teachers.

• Offer hands-on classroom support to maintain a high-quality learning environment.

• Foster strong collaboration between teachers, directors, and families.

• Assist in professional development and team-building initiatives.

• Help maintain compliance and best practices in early childhood education.

Since the pandemic, our team has operated without the full support of Specialists. We are excited to reintegrate this crucial role and work collaboratively to shape the future of our schools. If you’re looking for a dynamic, meaningful position that challenges both your leadership and teaching skills, we’d love to hear from you.

Qualifications & Requirements
To be considered for a role at ChildRoots, applicants must:
 

• Meet one of the teacher-qualification criteria set by the Office of Child Care requirements.

• Be currently enrolled in Oregon's Central Background Registry (or start your application today and complete it upon receiving your enrollment confirmation).

• Complete Oregon’s Safety Set Trainings and other required certifications:

• Pediatric CPR/First Aid Course

• Oregon Food Handler's Card

• Introduction to Child Care Health & Safety (online course)

• Recognizing & Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect (online course)

• Prevention is Better than Treatment (online course)

• Safe Sleep for Oregon's Infants (online course)

Compensation & Benefits
ChildRoots is committed to equal pay for equal work. All Specialists start at $22.00 per hour, plus a Step-level increase based on qualifications. We offer standardized annual raises and long-term commitment bonuses, ensuring transparency and fairness—there is no need for negotiation or uncertainty about your compensation.

We recognize that educators deserve support, appreciation, and financial security. Our benefits package includes:

✅ Health & Vision Insurance – 80% employer-paid
✅ Dental Insurance – 80% employer-paid
✅ Life Insurance – 100% employer-paid
✅ 401(k) Retirement Plan – Generous company match
✅ Paid Time Off – Including holidays, a weeklong Winter Break, a weeklong Spring Break, and three long summer weekends
✅ Professional Development Opportunities – Supporting ongoing education and OCC training requirements

Our Work Culture
At ChildRoots, we prioritize the well-being of both children and educators. We strive to foster a supportive work environment where teachers feel seen, valued, and encouraged. We deeply appreciate the dedication and effort our staff bring each day and are committed to offering stability, emotional support, and a positive workplace culture.

To work with us, you must be teacher-qualified and currently enrolled in Oregon's Central Background Registry.

These easy, online trainings are required within 30 days of hire:

• Pediatric CPR/First Aid Course
• Oregon Food Handler's Card
• Introduction to Child Care Health & Safety online course
• Recognizing & Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect online course
• Prevention is Better than Treatment online course
• Safe Sleep for Oregon's Infants online course

The challenges of COVID reminded us how vital it is to center our employees’ well-being. We know we still have much to do to be the BEST place to work in child care in Portland, but that’s what we’re working toward.

All employees are eligible for:

• 1-3 weeks of Paid Time Off per year, depending on how long they've been with ChildRoots.
• 25 paid holidays and all-school days off
• Company-provided continuing education
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with generous company match and 100%, immediate vesting

Full-time employees are eligible to enroll in our insurance plans, including:

• Providence Health, including vision, naturopathic, chiropractic, acupuncture, AND massage
• Principal or Willamette Dental

We value commitment and invite you to stay with us for at least a year.

To learn more about us, explore our website, take a virtual tour of our facilities, and review our COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines.

We're a pro-vaccination community and require all employees and enrolled parents to be fully vaccinated against COVID. We still practice extraordinary safety protocols like daily health checks, masks, stable groups, and extra cleaning, and will do so for as long as it takes to keep our community safe.

Thank you for your consideration. We hope to hear from you!