Join our Team at Portland Community College

Please Note: PCC currently limits employment to individuals residing in Oregon and Washington. Employment offers are contingent upon the ability to establish residence in Oregon or Washington.

Portland Community College will also ensure that applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for the hiring process are provided for. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the PCC Talent Acquisition Team at [email protected].

Portland Community College is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon and 19th largest in the nation, serving approximately 80,000 full- and part-time students. With four comprehensive campuses, five workforce training and education centers, and 200 community locations in the Portland metropolitan area, our unique role is to make high-quality education accessible to everyone, creating opportunities for our students and contributing to the economic development of our community.

Under the direction of the Director, the Mentor Teachers have primary responsibility for planning and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum and programs for children (ages six weeks to six years old) in the Child Development Center. This position also supports the Child and Family Studies, Early Childhood Education (ECE) program faculty by mentoring and supporting program students, and acts as a resource to students by providing knowledge-based experience, guidance and assistance. In collaboration with faculty, the Mentor Teachers evaluate student progress and interact on a regular basis with children, parents, ECE program students and faculty, Child Development Specialist and supervisor.
In conjunction with the Early Childhood Education Department chair and faculty, the Mentor Teachers ensure the curricula/activities in the Center are innovative, evidenced-based, and culturally responsive, as well as align with the mirror curriculum being taught in the ECE Program. They work to build practical experiences for ECE students so students can implement practices/strategies/curriculum learned in their ECE courses in ECE classroom settings, and where students are viewed as an important part of the learning environment.

What You'll Do and Who We Are Looking For

***Apply by August 30, 2026***

FTE .85 for the full year. It is a 40 hours a week schedule from September through June in an academic year. This position is fully grant funded. Continued employment is contingent upon the availability of grant funding. If grant funding is reduced or discontinued, the position may be reduced or eliminated.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

• Plans and leads daily implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum and activity for children in the Child Development Center; posts weekly lesson plans.
• Works closely with Early Childhood Education and Human Services Department faculty to ensure that curriculum and early learning practices in the children’s program provides desired learning opportunities for Center students.
• Works collaboratively with the Early Childhood Education and Human Services Department faculty by providing feedback on teaching skills of program students. Observes, mentors and assists program students with projects; models and provides guidance regarding appropriate behavior with children; provides daily feedback, including explanations of best practices as supported by research; and assists with preparations of instructional materials. Participates in student orientations, practicums, modules, seminars, team meetings and student teaching conferences.
• Conducts assessments of children in the classrooms. Maintains classroom records; evaluations/observations of children, attendance, parent information and schedules.
• Builds strong relationships with families. Provides regular, on-going feedback to parents regarding their child’s development. Arranges parent orientation meetings and conducts regular parent conferences. Provides referrals when appropriate. Produces parent newsletter.
• In the absence of the Child Development Center Director, assumes substitute director emergency responsibilities when required.
• Provides direction to the Child Development Specialists, casual staff and work study students in the assigned classroom.
• Participates in Center-wide meetings on curriculum, planning, facilities use, and program coordination.
• Maintains current knowledge regarding research and practices in Child and Family Studies.
• Ensures adherence to Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care child care rules, NAEYC and SPARK accreditations.
• Implements curricula and center activities that align and mirror what is being taught and modeled in PCC’s Early Childhood Education program.
• Ensures student instructional goals and learning experiences developed by ECE faculty are implemented in the Center classroom.
• Implements curricular and instructional practices outlined from ECE faculty, including expectations outlined and identified from assessment tools such as ITERS, ECERS, CLASS, etc.
• In conjunction with ECE Department and Center Director, periodically refines ECE student practicum experience.
• Follows PCC and CDC program policies and guidelines.
• Serves and tracks meals and snacks according to the program Food Service procedures.
• Assist in maintaining a safe, healthy, orderly and nurturing classroom environment.

Minimum Qualifications: To be considered, your application must demonstrate these minimum qualifications. (Experience is calculated based on the start and end dates you provide multiplied by the number of hours per week worked).

• High School diploma or equivalent. Two years of post-secondary education in early childhood education or related areas with early childhood education course work (Note: relevant experience may substitute for the post-secondary education requirement on a year-for-year basis.)

•  Three years of early childhood classroom experience.

• First Aid certification, food handler’s card (required within 30 days of hire.) 

• Enrollment in the Department of Early Learning and Care Central Background Registry (must maintain enrollment).

• Knowledge of: Current principles, practices and methods of early childhood education; local, state, and federal laws, regulations, policies and practices governing child care programs; general health and wellness of children; assessment and program evaluation skills; contemporary office practices, procedures and equipment; recordkeeping techniques; first aid and CPR techniques and methods.

• Ability to: Plan and implement an effective and developmentally appropriate curriculum to foster growth and development; Strong organization and verbal communication skills; Experience in mentoring less-experienced early childhood teaching staff, providing and inclusive early childhood learning environment, and modeling inclusive teaching practices; Administer effective child development center policies and procedures; Provide specific instructions and procedures; possess and demonstrate the required level of proficiency in desktop computers and other assigned software or electronic resources; communicate effectively both orally and in written form; work collaboratively with faculty and other staff.

Success Criteria: These qualifications, skills and abilities are critical for success in this position. Throughout the screening process, you will be evaluated based on the demonstration of these qualifications

• Plans and implements engaging, developmentally appropriate curriculum that supports children's learning, development, and well-being.

• Creates a safe, inclusive, and nurturing learning environment while ensuring compliance with licensing, accreditation, and program requirements.

• Serves as an effective mentor by modeling best practices, coaching Child Development Specialists and ECE students, and providing constructive feedback.

• Collaborates with ECE faculty to align classroom practices with program curriculum, practicum objectives, and instructional goals.

• Builds strong partnerships with families through ongoing communication, conferences, and support.

• Uses observation and assessment to guide curriculum, document children's progress, and support individualized learning.

• Demonstrates leadership, professionalism, and sound judgment while fostering a collaborative, positive team culture.

• Maintains current knowledge of early childhood education through ongoing professional development and continuous improvement.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements: Some exposure to adverse weather during playground duty. Work pressure, disturbances of workflow and/or irregularities in work schedule are expected and occur on an intermittent basis. Learned physical skills are required to appropriately lift and carry toddlers and small children. Requires physical effort as part of regular work routine, including frequent lifting of children, bending and squatting to children’s level, setting up the classroom and playground equipment (climbers, bikes, wagons,) and carrying supplies.

Why You'll Love Working Here

The PCC district encompasses a 1,500-square-mile area in northwest Oregon and offers two-year degrees, one-year certificate programs, short-term training, alternative education, pre-college courses and life-long learning. As part of our College community, you’ll enjoy:

• A collaborative and inspiring campus community

• Opportunities for learning and professional development

Portland Community College embraces equity and inclusion as a priority. We are committed to building a community with a variety of backgrounds, skills, views, and life experiences. The more we value equity and inclusion, the more we will add value to the work we do and how we serve our students, engage with each other, and the Oregon Community that we serve. Creating a culture that honors equity and inclusion is our objective and the smart path forward.

Position Grade

Classified 19 (H)

Employment Type

Part time

Total Rewards Package / What We Offer

There is never a dull moment at PCC. We offer more than just a competitive salary. When you join our team at PCC you'll also enjoy:

- Comprehensive benefit package

- Oregon PERS contribution

- Tax deferred annuity program and a deferred compensation program

- Tuition waiver for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and dependent children under 24 years of age, as well as partial tuition reimbursement for full-time employees at other accredited institutions

- Free access to the sport centers / campus gymnasiums, performing arts, and cultural events

- Paid Leave (Pro-rated by FTE for Part-Time Employees) reference Classified Agreement

o   Starts at 8 hours of vacation leave per month (additional vacation hours with years of service)

o   1 day of sick leave per month

o   12 paid holidays

o   PCC Winter Break (when College is Closed)

o   24 hours of personal leave per year

 

More detailed information on the benefits plans, who is eligible, and how to enroll or make changes can be found at pcc.edu/hr/benefits. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.

How We Determine Initial Salary Placement

Step 1 ($27.85 hourly) and Step 2 ($28.68 hourly) based on related experience, per PCC's collective bargaining agreement. Placement at a higher step may be possible based upon additional experience and internal equity (Classified Salary Schedule FY 2027).

Oregon Veterans' Preference in Public Employment

Portland Community College complies with the Oregon Veterans' Preference in Public Employment law which provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment. You will be given instructions during the application process to claim Veterans' Preference in the recruitment of this position, and to provide the documents required for verification of eligibility. Please do not send your documentation to the hiring manager directly. For verification of eligibility, please submit the following documentation:

• Veterans: DD214

• Disabled Veterans: DD214 and Letter from the Department of VA

Notice of the Availability of the Annual Security Report

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), you may view Portland Community College’s (PCC) most recent Annual Security Report (ASR) on the Department of Public Safety website. The ASR contains current security and safety-related policy disclosure statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information and resources, and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains crime statistics for Clery Act crimes which occurred on PCC properties for the last three calendar years. Paper copies of the ASR are available upon request at all Department of Public Safety offices.

PCC Employment Offers are Contingent Upon the Successful Completion of a Criminal Background Check

Please note that Portland Community College is not currently able to provide visa (e.g. H1-B Visa) sponsorship for potential employees.

Contact PCC at [email protected] if you have questions