Early Education Lead Teacher (Infant/Toddler/Twos)

New UCSC On-Campus Early Education Center Opening Soon!
Our newly constructed facility built on campus with beautiful classrooms from infants through school-age. Each program has its own separate play yard, low teacher-to-child ratios, dedicated prep areas for staff, and loft spaces in every classroom. Come and grow with our team!

Multiple Career Positions Available

Applications will be accepted and reviewed until all positions are filled.

We are also filling positions for the Assistant Teacher Lead and Teacher positions and would encourage applicants to apply to all positions you're interested in and qualified for: 81781, Early Education Assistant Teacher (Infant/Toddler/Twos) and 81782 and Early Education Teacher (Infant/Toddler/Twos).

Benefits to working at UC Santa Cruz include:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Care Insurance Plans
• UC Retirement Plans
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Legal Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Paid Holidays plus accrued vacation and sick leave

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS

For full consideration for an interview, applicants are asked to provide short text response to the question(s) below.

When applying, please submit your cover letter and resume as a single attachment in step 2 (Attach Resume) and attach your answers to the following questions and optional documents as a single attachment in step 2 (Attach Cover Letter). Please keep your responses brief with no more than 6 pages total.

Supplemental Screening Question #1: This position will require a California Child Development Permit. Please provide a copy of your Child Development Permit. If you do not have one, please explain how you plan to acquire one.

Supplemental Screening Question #2: Please attach transcripts of all college education you have completed. Unofficial copies are acceptable.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 10/27/2025

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 Center (EEC) 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 2nd grade in our after-school program. EEC 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: https://childcare.ucsc.edu/

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 of 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% - Child 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, 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 Families

• 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 of 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 Permits 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 3 years of work experience in a licensed childcare center or in a comparable group childcare program, interacting with children aged 3 years to 5 years.
• School-Age only: School Age Center experience with at least 3 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• The ability to move materials weighing up to 25lbs. with or without accommodation.
• 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 during interview.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.