Early Childhood Advocate

Description

 Do you want to make a difference in the lives of young children and families experiencing housing instability? Are you searching for not just a job, but a calling? Door of Hope, a Christian nonprofit that empowers families facing homelessness to transform their lives, is hiring an Early Childhood Advocate to support children ages 1–4. 

The Early Childhood Advocate creates a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment where young children can learn, explore, build relationships, and thrive. Through play-based learning, responsive caregiving, and intentional interactions, this role supports children’s emotional, social, physical, cognitive, and spiritual development. The ideal candidate has a genuine passion for early childhood development, patience, strong organizational skills, and a proactive approach to nurturing each child’s God-given strengths. 

Hours 

• 20.5 hours/week: Monday, 1:30–8:30 p.m.; Tuesday–Thursday, 4:00–8:30 p.m. (some flexibility) 
• Occasional weekends 

Responsibilities 

Early Childhood Care & Development 

• Provide attentive, responsive care in a safe, nurturing environment for children ages 1–4. 
• Plan and facilitate play-based activities that support language, motor skills, sensory exploration, creativity, early learning, and social-emotional development. 
• Support emotional regulation, peer interactions, and transitions through positive, developmentally appropriate guidance and consistent routines. 
• Observe children’s strengths and needs and communicate relevant updates to parents and program leadership. 
• Follow all child safety, supervision, hygiene, and organizational policies. 

Family & Program Support 

• Build welcoming, trusting relationships with parents, residents, team members, and volunteers. 
• Communicate with parents about children’s experiences and partner with the team to support their development. 
• Prepare enrichment materials and maintain clean, safe, organized classrooms, toys, and supplies. 
• Assist with administrative tasks, including attendance, calendars, permission forms, and supply lists. 
• Provide guidance to volunteers on appropriate interactions with young children. 
• Pick up donations, support relevant community resources, and assist with family events, including the Annual Toy Drive, Summer Festival, and Christmas Party. 
• Support other Children & Youth program needs and perform additional duties as needed. 

Requirements

 Qualifications 

• Experience working with young children, particularly ages 1–4, required. 
• Knowledge of early childhood development and positive behavior guidance preferred. 
• Experience in childcare, preschool, or early childhood education preferred; experience with children and families impacted by trauma or housing instability is a plus. 
• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, social work, psychology, education, or a related field (in progress or completed) is a plus. 
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred. 
• Valid driver’s license and at least two years of driving experience required. 
• Ability to lift and carry 30 pounds. 
• Basic Microsoft Office and computer skills. 
• Strong communication, organization, initiative, patience, and follow-through. 
• Commitment to Door of Hope’s Christian mission and organizational values. 

Compensation & Benefits 

Expected compensation: $21.75/hour to $25.75/hour depending on experience  

Competitive benefits package including:  

• Paid Vacation Accrual: 1 hr./30 hrs. worked 
• Paid Sick Accrual: 1 hr./30 hrs. worked 
• 403(b): 3% dollar-for-dollar match 

Character (Do you embody Door of Hope’s four core values?)? 

Christ-centered, expressed through:? 

• Faith: We have an active and personal relationship with Jesus Christ.? 
• Calling: Out of a sense of calling, we go above and beyond to meet our mission. 
• Character: We demonstrate the character of Christ toward colleagues and families. 

Empowering, expressed through:? 

• Trust: We trust one another, believe in one another, and give each other the freedom to take risks. (Mistakes are learning opportunities.)? 
• Accountability: We nurture God-given strengths through coaching and accountability. 

Holistic, expressed through:? 

• Whole Person: Our emotional, spiritual and personal well-being matter to one another. 
• Whole Organization: We are on one team with one mission. (We don’t do silos.) 

Relationship, expressed through:? 

• Family: We love, celebrate, and pray with one another.? 
• Reconciliation: We manage conflict, practice vulnerability, and pursue diversity with honesty and grace.? 

To apply, visit our Careers Page at: https://doorofhope.us/careers