The Position

Job Appointment: Full Time, Regular

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday.

Work Location: Will report East Portland Community Center. Future vacancies may report to a different location. Remote work must be performed within Oregon or Washington. For more information, click here .

Benefits: Please check our benefits tab for an overview of benefit for this position

Language Pay Premium Eligible: This position is or may be eligible for Language Pay Differential for qualifying employees (Classifications identified as eligible use “This Position is”, all other classifications use “This position may be”. This must be included on all announcements.)

Union Representation: This position is not represented by a union.

Application Material: Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland’s online portal. You will need to respond to the supplemental questions and attach a resume.

Position Summary

This classification outlines the responsibilities of the Teacher position required by the Multnomah County Preschool for All program. The Lead Preschool Teacher collaborates with the Multnomah Early Childhood Program (MECP) to develop an appropriate learning environment that supports children's developmental needs and promotes socio-emotional growth. The teacher is responsible for creating, coordinating, and facilitating a variety of activities and programs related to Early Childhood Education. This includes conducting needs assessments, organizing and promoting programs, evaluating their effectiveness, and ensuring a healthy, safe, and hazard-free preschool environment.

As a Lead Preschool Teacher, You Will

Work directly with children in one-on-one and group settings.
Create developmentally appropriate educational programs based on best practices in Early Childhood Education.
Continuously assess each child’s progress and individualize the weekly curriculum to support each child’s learning and development.
Implement the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) for children with disabilities under the direction of Multnomah Early Childhood Program
Ensure incorporation of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports to manage individual and classroom behaviors
Assist with meal services and meal reports.
Report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect by state law and agency policy.
Attend to children’s medical and hygiene as needed (e.g., administering medication, diapering)
Represent Portland Parks and Recreation as subject matter experts on various committees and projects.
Use program policies and procedures to manage classroom and facilitate children's social and emotional development.
Plan and execute preschool graduation for children and families each year
Provide at-the-moment coaching for students to gain skills in conflict resolution, improving peer social relationships, and emotional regulation.
Contribute to creating an environment that reflects the values and norms of the diverse children and families we serve.
Maintain accurate and timely written and electronic records/reports (i.e., meal counts, staff sign-in, child attendance, etc.).
Attend and participate in staff meetings, planning meetings, and training.
Complete developmental assessment for all students twice per school year. Participate in assessment meetings with caregivers and other meetings when necessary when greater communication and additional support is needed
Facilitate open communication and promote group problem-solving.
Write a monthly newsletter for preschool families to provide classroom updates and information to support children’s learning outside of the classroom.
Participate in regular classroom team debriefings.
Support children at nap/rest periods as needed.
Maintain confidentiality in matters concerning families and children.
Participates in regular training and technical assistance activities.
Work to understand issues of difference, privilege, and social justice, to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities, and to cultivate a respectful, inclusive, and accessible learning and working environment.
Other duties as assigned.

Virtual Meet & Greet Session

Come meet the hiring manager and the senior recruiter! We'll be talking about the position duties and responsibilities, day-to-day life in the role, review the announcement, discuss how to apply, and answer questions you may have about the position.

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

3:30 pm – 4:30 pm Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86931129983

Meeting ID: 869 3112 9983

Have a question?

Contact Information

Loan Tran Polanco, Senior Recruiter

Bureau of Human Resources

Loan.Tran@portlandoregon.gov

To Qualify

Applicants Must Meet The Following Minimum Qualifications

Ability to meet all the Preschool for All requirements and guidelines and foster a positive, inclusive environment that welcomes everyone.
Lead teachers must be on Step 7 on the Oregon Registry Online or hold a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.
- After participating in Preschool for All for 2 years, Lead Teachers must be at Step 7.5 on the Oregon Registry Online (ORO).
- By 2030, the Preschool for All program will require Lead Teachers to have at least Step 9 on the Oregon Registry Online (ORO) or an Associate's Degree in early childhood education or a related field.

Please note, any staff members who do not meet these requirements can complete an education waiver, outlining their plan to achieve the necessary qualifications within two years. There is considerable flexibility regarding these requirements due to various systemic barriers that may hinder a teacher's ability to access education.

The Recruitment Process

STEP 1: Apply online between May 25, 2026 to June 3, 2026

Required Application Materials

Resume
Answer to the Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)

Optional Application Materials

If you wish to request Veteran's Preference, please submit your veteran documents (e.g., DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter) by the recruitment's closing date.

We have recently updated our veteran preference process. Starting March 3rd, 2025 If you made the eligible list and met the eligibility to receive veteran preference, you will no longer need to submit veteran documents for future recruitments.

If you need to update or remove your veteran preference for a specific recruitment or from your master profile, please contact the recruiter listed in the job announcement.

Application Tips

Your responses to the supplemental questions should include details describing your education, training and/or experience, and where obtained, which clearly reflects your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement.
Your résumé should support the details described in your responses to the supplemental questions.
How We Determine Pay: The City of Portland is covered by the Oregon Equal Pay Act . Your salary is determined based on the experience listed in your resume that is directly related and equivalent to the position for which you are applying. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all your relevant experience.
Do not attach any additional documents.
Please note, all completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than on the closing date and time of this recruitment.
You can use AI tools to assist with your job application, but please make sure to personalize your responses to supplemental questions. Avoid copying and pasting. We encourage using AI to generate ideas and then tailor them to reflect your own experiences and skills.
All applications must be submitted via the City's online application process.
E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.

Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: Week of June 3, 2026

An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their resume and supplemental questions, weighted 100%.
Your résumé and responses to the supplemental questions will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.
You have 14 days from the notice of the minimum qualification evaluation results to let us know if you would like to review and discuss your evaluation result. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information.
Additional evaluation may be required prior to establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.

Step 3: Establishment of Eligible List: Week of June 8, 2026

Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.

Step 4: Selection (Interview): June 2026

Hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview

Step 5: Offer of Employment: July 2026

Some positions will require those offered employment to complete and sign a criminal background statement before being considered for employment. (Include if requires an in-depth background investigation.)

Step 6: Start Date: TBD

A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.
Timeline is approximate and subject to change.

Additional Information

Click here for additional information regarding the following:

City of Portland Core Values
Recruitment Process - Work Status
Equal Employment Opportunity
Veteran Preference
ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations

An Equal Opportunity Employer

City of Portland

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Lead Preschool Teacher