Job Listings

The mission of Pierce College is to create quality educational opportunities for a diverse community of learners to thrive in an evolving world.

Recognized by the Aspen Institute as one of the Top 10 community colleges in the nation (2021), Pierce College is an innovative, mission-driven, data-informed, and equity-minded community college dedicated to helping all students achieve their academic and professional goals, with a focus on racial and social equity and justice. 

Reporting to the President of Pierce College Puyallup, the Director of Child Development Centers and Family Advocacy advances the equity-centered mission of Pierce College by providing leadership in the operation of child development centers, including Early Head Start, Head Start, and the Early Care and Education Classrooms, as well as institutional and community support for student parents/caregivers. The director establishes and sustains a supportive and constructive work environment, cooperatively leads the Child Development Centers (CDCs) towards continued excellence, and ensures inclusive learning experiences serve a diverse community. Further, the director advocates for parents, caregivers, and families in order to support their success by developing resources within the institution and in the community through strategic partnerships. 

This position has the responsibility to establish and maintain partnerships; ensure effective implementation of programming excellence in the CDCs; grant management; budget monitoring and planning, accreditation and licensure compliance, marketing, and special projects. The director also supports the work of the Pierce College Education Program by providing integrated and collaborative engagement as a Lab School site, supporting student teachers, and nurturing direct partnership with the director of the Education Program to achieve equitable access, opportunity, and success for Pierce College students.

About the District

The college enjoys a strong presence in the community and participates in numerous partnerships with business, community, government, and educational organizations.

Pierce College at Fort Steilacoom

Located on a beautiful 140-acre site adjacent to a 340-acre community, recreational park, and Waughop Lake. Want a feel for our District, take a peek with aerial campus views! 

Pierce College at Puyallup

Located on a luscious site with 125-acres of wooded land including modern facilities and beautiful hideaways.

Pierce College at JBLM

Located at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord military sites, serving many of our military and active duty families serving our country.

The Director of Child Development Centers and Family Advocacy will be responsible for the following, but not limited to:

Integrated Institutional & Program Core

• Actively advance Pierce College's goals for equity and inclusion in order to provide access and support for our diverse community of learners.
• Contribute to an engaged and supportive team with shared accountability for the equitable success of children, students, our Child Development Centers, and Education Programs.
• Participate in committees and task forces to ensure collaboration on reducing barriers and promoting retention.
• Other duties as assigned to support the mission, goals, and objectives of the college.

Child Development Center (CDC) Leadership & Supervision

• Lead a high-quality, affordable early learning program that is focused on evidence-based practices for care, development, and inclusion.
• Oversee the overall operations of CDCs, ensuring adequate staffing, resources, safety measures, and facilities for all aspects of programming aligned with accreditation and licensing standards and the equity-centered mission of Pierce College.
• Strategically plan, continuously improve, and evaluate program and student outcomes, including conducting an annual parent survey to assess satisfaction with the quality of care and service, and participate in and support Pierce College assessment and program review activities.
• Collaborate with academic program administrators, faculty, and staff in support of inclusive student participation in practicum, internships, or clinical experiences.
• Support a district curriculum philosophy and ensure continuous improvement; communicate the philosophy to all early learning program staff and parents; coordinate and ensure staff training to ensure the philosophy equitably serves all children in the early learning program.
• Prepare, present, and communicate data, analysis, reports, proposals, and responses for grants, funding, assessment, compliance, and other programmatic needs.
• Develop and manage a comprehensive budget for the CDCs, including budgets per funding source.
• Monitor expenses and revenue, including preparing billings using the relevant software and platforms, following up on payments to ensure all are paid in full, and working closely with the accounting department to ensure fiscal responsibility.
• Prepare for and respond to community and parent/caregiver questions and concerns in partnership with colleagues and families.
• Connect families to available community resources, including resources for children with disabilities, and be able to share these resources with families.
• Ensure CDCs meet institutional policies and procedures, grant and funding requirements, and all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines, including Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families licensure provisions.

Develop Support & Advocacy for Student Parents/Caregivers

• Seek to build, promote, and sustain resources for student parents and caregivers in order to advance access, opportunity and success with an emphasis on eliminating areas of inequity in educational goal attainment.
• Build an understanding of the lived experiences of student parent/caregivers and design strategies to remove barriers to student success. 
• Work across the college to identify, support, and connect resources and innovations that support student parents/caregivers. 
• Develop external partnerships with community-based organizations to expand resources to support student parents/caregivers.
• Work to identify external opportunities to build/expand programming and support for parents/caregivers.
• Engage with regional, state, and national organizations to advance innovations for supporting student parent/caregivers. 
• Promote external engagement efforts which may include visitation to secondary schools and community-based organizations as needed.
• Represent the college at external community functions and meetings.
• Assist with the development or selection of marketing and promotional materials, including media packages; and interface with other college departments on marketing strategies.
• Review, assess, and respond to key disaggregated data, both quantitative and qualitative, in order to ensure that services and programming are responsive to the needs and experiences of systemically non-dominant families. Support collection of data and work collaboratively with campus teams working specifically on improving outcomes for single parents.

Education Required

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Human Development or related field.

Experience Required

• Demonstrated commitment to equitable student success, fostering social justice & inclusive antiracist teaching practices, and community outreach.
• Two years of experience leading childcare programs.
• Experience designing and implementing professional development for staff.
• Experience in curriculum development in ECE.
• Budget development and management experience.
• Evidence of effective communication, transparent decision-making, and effective delegating. 
• Substantial experience in the core areas of the position may substitute for the master’s degree requirement.

Special Requirements

• Ability to travel to early learning programs, local school districts, and state level conferences/committees.
• The successful candidate must consent to and pass a criminal background check after a conditional offer of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the candidate's suitability to perform in this position.
• Written proof by a healthcare provider of TB testing prior to starting work.

Training typically required within three months per Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Chapter 110-300 includes but is not limited to:

• WA Department of Children, Youth, and Families Orientation & Training
• Valid Food Handlers Permit
• Valid First Aid and CPR Card 
• Completion of HIV/AIDS training 
• Completion of Blood Borne Pathogens training
• Completion of an Early Childhood State Certificate or equivalent (must be satisfied before August 2026). 

Required Competencies

Leadership- Incorporates program and college mission, vision and goals into daily work. Creates a culture where everyone can learn, grow and be motivated to do their best. Willingness to delegate work and coach others to develop their capabilities. Help others identify strengths and develop skills necessary to reach personal and program goals. Promotes teamwork and cooperation in the centers, the college and the community. 
Student Services- Student Centered: Search out and identify student service delivery requirements to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction. Seeks ways to improve service delivery; assesses the organization and its services from the student’s point of view; emphasizes a team approach to providing great customer service. Demonstrates strong commitment to meeting the needs of co-workers, faculty, alumni, managers, students, or community members, striving to ensure their full satisfaction. Establishes and nurtures relationships with stakeholders, regularly inviting feedback and suggestions. Anticipating, meeting and/or exceeding student needs and expectations. Strive to anticipate, identify, understand and be responsive to student needs and expectations. Delivers products and services when and where the student needs them.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Seek learning to effectively identify systemic inequities affecting colleagues and students; works to remove barriers to workplace wellness and student success; engages in healing-centered practices to reduce further harm to historically marginalized groups; engages in cultural humility through listening, observing, valuing/validating, embracing/empowering (LOVE) others; seeks inclusion through invitation and welcome; recognizes impact of own identities and amplifies voices often not heard or acknowledged. 
Critical thinking/Creative Problem Solving- Creative & Innovative Thinking: Develop innovative ideas that provide solutions to all types of workplace challenges; articulate possibilities. Ability to learn, to reason, to think creatively, to make decisions, to solve problems, devise and implement action plans. Develops fresh ideas that provide solutions to all types of workplace challenges. Creative Problem Solving: Develops and creates ideas, processes and approaches that shape the future; uses analysis and critical thinking skills to solve problems; ensures decisions are aligned with strategic direction of the college/district. 
Information- Applies original thinking in approach to job responsibilities and to improve processes, methods, systems, or services. Identifies novel approaches for completing work assignments more effectively or efficiently and works within the "established" system to push for "a better way." Demonstrates curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.

To be considered for this position, applicants must

• Meet the required qualifications as outlined in this announcement.
• Complete the online application profile and apply for the specific job opening at: https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/hr
• Upload (attach) a cover letter that addresses how you meet the required qualifications as outlined in this announcement. (Cover Letter)
• Upload (attach) detailed résumé of all educational and professional experience.(Résumé)
• Transcripts are not required in order to apply for this position; however, if you are selected for an interview, you will be asked to submit copies of unofficial transcripts showing completion of the required level of education. Please upload current copies of your transcripts, if available. Unofficial copies of all college and university transcripts must include degree received and conferral date. International transcripts must include a foreign transcript evaluation. For a list of approved credential evaluation services visit: www.naces.org/members.htm (Unofficial transcripts acceptable for application process; official transcripts required upon hire). (Transcripts)
• Upload (attach) a list of at least two professional references with names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses. Letters of recommendation will not be accepted. (References)
• Provide a response to the following question: (Supplemental Question)

Please Note

To ensure consideration, application materials should be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.

Terms of Employment

This is a full-time administrative - exempt position. This position will have a primary work location at either Puyallup or Fort Steilacoom, with frequent travel between campuses and other sites. Standard work hours are between 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, with occasional evening and weekend hours required. Occasional remote work may be approved as the college is currently reviewing a telework policy and expectations to ensure quality service to students, colleagues, and the community.

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $90,566 to $98,113 annually. Your paycheck is just part of the total compensation package. There is an outstanding benefits package which is worth an additional value equivalent to about 30% of your salary. A comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance. Life and long- term disability insurance plans; vacation, sick and personal leave; reduced tuition; and retirement benefits are also provided. For more information, please visit our Benefits and Leave website at: https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/hr- benefits.

Physical Work Environment

This position will work primarily indoors in an office environment within a child development center. Work will also be performed out in the community.

Reasonable Accommodation

Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the application and employment process will be accommodated to the extent reasonably possible. Requests should be made to the District Human Resources Office by calling 253-964-7342. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may dial 711 to place a call through Washington Relay, the state's free telecommunication access service.

Screening & Interview Process

Only those candidates who have complied with the application process and meet the required qualifications will be considered. Following the review of application materials, the most qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview. Check the email account you used for the application process for communication regarding the status of your application. Application materials submitted to Pierce College are the property of the College and will not be returned.

Conditions of Employment

Pierce College is a “fully vaccinated campus” under the state’s higher education guidance, which means that COVID-19 vaccination (or allowable exemption) will be required for all employees and students. More information can be found here: Vaccination Requirements.

Prior to the start of employment, the finalist for this position will be subject to a criminal background check as a condition of employment. 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.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington State Law RCW 28B.112.080.

An offer of employment will not carry with it any responsibility or obligation on the part of the District to sponsor an H-1B visa. In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, proof of authorization to work in the United States will be required at the time of hire.

Pierce College has adopted a Drug Free Workplace policy. As a condition of employment, employees must agree to abide by the requirements established in that policy.