Early Childhood Education (ECE) Learning Laboratory Instructor

Position Title: Early Childhood Education (ECE) Learning Laboratory Instructor

Department: Early
Childhood Education (ECE)

Division: Arts & Social Sciences (ARS)

Location: RVC-West
(Downtown Campus)

Employee Status: Part-Time (20-25 hours per week)

Salary: $24.00 –
$26.00

Type: NA

Grade: NA

FLSA: Non-Exempt

ICCB
Classification: Technical/Professional

Issued: 08/2028

Application Deadline:
Thursday, August 20, 2026

Rock Valley College does not offer sponsorship for employment-based
visas for this position now or in the future. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States without the need for
employer sponsorship.

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Reporting Relationships

Reports To: Dean of Arts & Social
Sciences and/or her designee (ECE Program Coordinator)

Supervision Exercised: May offer direction to student
workers.

Job Summary

The Part-Time Early Childhood Education (ECE) Learning Laboratory Instructor provides
day-to-day direct supervision of children ages 3-8 in the Rock Valley College (RVC) Early Childhood Learning Laboratory, a developmentally
appropriate, drop-in program serving parents of children enrolled at the college. This dual-role position combines hands-on teaching with
administrative support responsibilities to ensure a safe, engaging, and inclusive learning environment while supporting ECE student
observation and practicum experiences. Working under the functional supervision of the ECE Program Coordinator and the direct supervision of
the Dean of Arts & Social Sciences, the Learning Laboratory Instructor will collaborate closely with faculty, staff, students, families, and
community partners to maintain high-quality programming and compliance with Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
requirements. The ECE Learning Laboratory also serves as a practicum and observation site for RVC Early Childhood Education and Instructor
Education students; therefore, the successful candidate will play a critical role in supporting both children’s learning and student
professional development. The individual hired for this position will work closely with the ECE Program Coordinator, who is Director
Qualified and experienced in early childhood program administration. The Learning Laboratory Instructor will also play an essential role in
the health, safety, and educational experiences of children.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Ensure
   compliance with all health, safety, and DCFS requirements.
2. Ensure confidentiality of student and family information.
3. Provide
   active supervision and direct care for children ages 3-8 during the ECE Learning Lab operating hours.
4. Plan and facilitate
   developmentally appropriate, play-based learning experiences.
5. Adapt learning experiences to meet individual and group
   needs.
6. Design activities that support children’s social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and language development.
7. Foster a
   safe, nurturing, responsive, and inclusive environment that promotes children’s development and well-being.
8. Model and implement
   positive behavior guidance practices and effective classroom management practices.
9. Maintain accurate attendance records, incident
   reports, facility checklists, and related documentation.
10. Assist with maintaining materials, supplies, and classroom
    readiness.
11. Collaborate with the ECE Program Coordinator, faculty, and staff to support program improvement and alignment with
    programmatic, divisional and institutional goals and objectives.
12. Support student worker scheduling and practicum experiences for ECE
    students.
13. Support students completing observation and field experiences within the ECE Learning Lab.
14. Assist in the
    development and implementation of community-based programming, including story times, parenting workshops, and educational
    seminars.
15. Attend required or recommended trainings.
16. Regular Attendance is expected.

Minimum
Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher in Early Childhood Education or a closely related field from an accredited
  college/university.
• Director Qualified status under Illinois DCFS regulations or ability to obtain Director Qualified status within
  3 months from offer of employment.
• Minimum of 1 year experience working with children ages 3-8 in an early childhood or school-age
  setting consistent with Illinois DCFS Requirements.
• Schedule flexibility to accommodate the needs of the ECE Learning
  Laboratory.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong classroom management,
  organizational, administrative and communication skills.
• Ability to pass all DCFS and RVC medical/physical examinations (TB
  screening, etc.) and background checks.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two-three three years or more of
  experience working with children ages 3-8 in an early childhood or school-age setting consistent with Illinois DCFS
  Requirements.
• Experience in lab-school, college-based, or university-affiliated early learning programs.
• Experience
  mentoring or supervising Early Childhood Education students.
• Current CPR, AED and First Aid certification.
• Experience
  developing and facilitating family engagement or community-based educational programming.
• Frequent interaction with student parents,
  faculty, staff, and Early Childhood Education students completing observation and practicum experiences.
• Responsible for maintaining
  confidential student and family information.
• Responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of children in the Learning
  Lab.
• Some schedule flexibility may be required to support drop-in services, practicum activities, workshops, or special
  events.

Physical Demands

• Ability to actively supervise and engage with young children throughout the
  workday.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, and move frequently during classroom activities.
• Ability to lift and
  carry classroom materials and equipment up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to respond quickly to emergency situations involving
  children.
• Ability to maintain a safe and organized learning environment in accordance with DCFS regulations.

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