Early Education Lead Teacher (Infant/Toddler/Two's)

HOW TO APPLY

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

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The IRD for this job is: 06-22-2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Colleges, Housing and Educational Services (CHES) is a multi-funded organization within the Division of Student Affairs and Success, (DSAS) at the University of California (UC) Santa Cruz. CHES provides leadership in the areas of college student life and residential services, housing services, facilities, capital planning, dining services, conference services, early education services and business and financial analysis for these areas. Through these units, educational and developmental programs and services are offered to all members of the campus community including students, faculty, staff, children and external constituents.

CHES provides on-campus housing and dining services to nearly 9,500 undergraduate and graduate students in ten residential colleges and six multi-college affiliated residential communities which support single students and students with families. CHES offers early education programs for university affiliated families.

The Early Education Services (EES) unit of CHES provides early care, early education and after-school care for UC affiliated families whose children are between ages 3 months in our infant program through second grade in our after-school program . EECS administers California Department of Education and California Department of Social Services Title 5 contract that provides subsidies for families to reduce childcare tuition and higher quality care for all children.

More information can be found at:

JOB SUMMARY

Under the general supervision of the Site Supervisor of the Early Education Center, the Lead Teacher organizes and coordinates the care and developmental activities for infants, preschoolers, and school aged children.

The Early Education Lead Teacher gives direction to the Early Education Teachers and Assistant Teachers, and supervises and trains student teaching assistants. The Early Education Lead Teacher is the senior level in the Child Development Center Teacher titles.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $31.97/hourly
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Clerical Employees (CX)

Job Code Classification: CHILD DEV CTR TEACHER 2 (004105)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

80% - Children's Development and Education

• Assumes responsibility for the general supervision and safety of all children in attendance, including compliance with Department of Social Services licensing requirements and Titles 5 and 22 regulations.

• Completes the California Department of Education, is Desired Results Developmental Profile, (DRDP) assessment tool, twice a year and maintains a developmental portfolio for a designated group of children. Using the DRDP's, makes regular observations of children to assess their strengths and goals.

• Documents and analyzes information from developmental assessment to plan appropriate curriculum for children and maintains ongoing professional communication with families. Ensures all curriculum and teaching environments meet the California Department of Education and Department of Social Services, and National Association for Education of Young Children accreditation regulations and standards.

• With oversight responsibility, in conjunction with teaching staff, design and maintain a developmentally appropriate environment conducive to children's safe and independent exploration.

• Establishes and maintains a safe, clean, functional and organized atmosphere inside the facility and in the outside yard.

• Through daily interactions, promotes the development of children's self-control, self esteem, self-help skills, and positive relationships with others.

• Participate in overall program evaluation, planning of program's goals and effectiveness.

• Oversees policies and procedures relating to the care of children in the classroom. In conjunction with the Site Supervisor, provide direction to the Teachers and Teaching Assistants in program practices.

• Provides input to the Site Supervisor regarding long-term program planning. Ensures classroom compliance with the Department of Social Services licensing requirements and Title 5 regulations.

10% - Collaborative Relationships with Parents

• Establish and maintain regular, respectful verbal and written communication with families to inform them of their child's day and center activities.
• Work in collaboration with families to facilitate children's transitions between home and the center. Assist in maintaining a culturally sensitive, respectful atmosphere for families. Encourage family involvement in the program. Attend quarterly family meetings.

10% - Teamwork and Professional Growth

• Attend regularly scheduled, evening staff meetings, student training seminars, and program-wide staff meetings. Actively participate and contribute as a team member with all other staff.
• Establish and maintain effective communication through cooperative problem-solving and active listening skills with other staff.
• Participation at staff development and in-service trainings, workshops, conferences, and other professional growth activities (some evening or weekend hours) to improve skills, update knowledge of current professional practices and ongoing accumulation of training hours and/or units to renew California Child Development Permit following the Child Development Permit Matrix.
• Participate in hiring, supervising and evaluating student teaching assistants. Plan and conduct regular training seminars.
• In the absence of the Site Supervisor, may serve as "Supervisor Designee" to meet Title 22 Licensing requirements.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Infant/Toddler/Two's Only: Experience with, and knowledge of, infant, and toddler and two's developmental needs in social, emotional, cognitive, and physical areas.
• Experience with, and knowledge of current quality practices in the field of Early Childhood Education
• Infant/Toddler/Two's Only: Infant and Toddler Center Experience with at least 3 ECE Units in Infant/toddler development, and 3 years of work experience in a licensed child care center or comparable group childcare program, interacting with children less than three years of age.
• Preschool Only: Preschool Center Experience with at least three years of work experience in a licensed childcare center or in a comparable group childcare program, interacting with children aged three years to 5 years.
• School-Age only: School Age Center experience with at least three years of work experience in a program for children aged 4 to 8 years of age.
• Demonstrated ability to create and implement a developmentally appropriate program for children: e.g., curriculum, assessment, environment.
• Experience in giving direction to other adults in a childcare center or other comparable program environment.
• Ability to interact effectively with groups of children and adults from a broad range of backgrounds.
• Ability to work with children with a wide range of ages.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Sufficient word-processing and computer skills to prepare developmental assessments, memos, flyers, newsletter articles, curriculum materials, documentation and portfolios.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong knowledge of Title 22 and Title 5 Regulations.
• Experience working in a Title 5 Child Development Program.
• Experience with DRDP, (Desired Rating Developmental Profiles), Assessment tool.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Selected candidate will be required to provide proof of negative TB test.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Possess a current California Child Development Master Teacher's Permit or higher, or be eligible to obtain a Master Teacher's Permit within 12 months of employment.
• The ability to move materials weighing up to 25lbs. with or without accommodation.
• Must provide proof of a current negative TB test and completed Health Screening Report within 7 days of hire.
• Ability to obtain a current Pediatric CPR and First Aid Certificate.
• Selected candidate will be required to comply with current Early Education Services employee health safety requirements for childcare providers as defined by state regulatory agencies. Current health safety requirements to be discussed duri