Child Development Center Teacher 2 (On-site)(2 Positions)

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range for this position is Step 1: $25.31 - Step 17: $34.79. The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is Step 1: $25.31.

This position is fully on-site.

Initial applicant review will begin on or around September 18th, 2024. Posting will remain open until filled.

This union position is represented by the bargaining unit Clerical & Allied Services - CX Teamsters Local 2010

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and the first American research university built in the 21st century. With more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration and professional development. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide educational opportunities for highly qualified students from the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and supports the economic development of Merced and the region.

The Merced 2020 Project, a $1.3 billion public-private partnership unprecedented in higher education and completed in 2020, nearly doubled the physical capacity of the campus, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. UC Merced also operates the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building located in the heart of Merced.

The university's mission of educational excellence and rigorous inquiry is powered by three schools and numerous research institutes and centers that seek scientific and social solutions for the Valley, California and the world. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced is preparing the way for a rigorous medical education program.

The course of UC Merced's evolution is piloted by a long-range strategic plan. Enacted in 2021, the 10-year blueprint is guiding how the values of equity and justice influence our pathway to earning Carnegie R1 research status, growing enrollment, upholding our identity as a minority-serving institution, and operationalizing how commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion are enacted in each campus unit.

The Teacher 2 is a senior level teacher who is fully responsible for planning and implementing quality, developmentally appropriate curriculum and programing for young children, working cooperatively with other ECEC staff to coordinate and put into action an individualized program for the children in their assigned classroom and in ECEC activities. The incumbent participates in preparing and putting into practice age-appropriate language arts, social studies, cognitive arts, science, art, music, social and emotional development, nutrition, multi-cultural awareness, and physical development experiences for the children in their group. Sustain with the classroom team all required documentation and paperwork for the children assigned and classroom group, as per mandates and ECEC procedures.

Maintain program quality, adhering to Title 22 State Licensing regulations, National Accreditation Commission of Early Care and Education (NAC), and other best practices program standards and requirements that the ECEC adopts. Responsible for assuring compliance with codes of all State and local governing contracting agencies.

Promotes partnerships with parents and encourages parent participation in the classroom, the ECEC, and during parent/teacher conferencing and activities. Promotes a constructive working relationship with the ECEC staff, children, and families through conflict resolution, effective communication, and participation in problem-solving activities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Classroom and Direct Services

• Fully responsible for planning, initiating, and implementing quality classroom curriculum and programming for children.
  
• Using UC Merced ECEC philosophy and pedagogy as a foundation and working with the classroom team, plan and implement developmentally age-appropriate activities for the individuals and group of children in an assigned classroom. These activities and experiences will be provided both indoors and outdoors. The environments (indoors and outdoors) will be planned to provide appropriate, rich, engaging, explorative, diverse, child-initiated, and teacher-initiated learning experiences. Opportunities in the following areas, but not limited to these areas, will be made available: cognitive skills, language and literacy, art, social studies, science, physical development, social/emotional development, diversity, problem-solving, health, nutrition, safety, and music.
  
• Activities and experiences will be developed from the children's interests, based on their individual and group skills and needs.
• Participates in classroom meetings to develop written lesson planning with activities to support individual goals and needs of the children through interactive processes.
  
• Plans and implements written lesson planning, activities, and scheduling, taking into consideration any needed changes due to the needs of the children in the classroom or unforeseen events/activities.
  
• Interacts with the children in a responsive, nurturing manner. These interactions are verbal and non-verbal.
• Participates in activities such as all child-related routines and transitions, conflict resolution, behavior management, case management, documentation, observation, anecdotal notes, portfolio, assessments, and children's file maintenance, and other daily classroom necessities in relation to the care and education of young children.
  
• Maintain a safe and healthy environment for the children as required by Title 22, UC Merced, and best practices. This may include, and not exclusive to the following activities: cleaning surfaces (mopping, disinfecting, sanitizing), laundry, picking up materials, sweeping the playground, handling biohazard-infected materials, administering first aid/CPR, caring for ill children, medication administration, etc.
• Regularly review and update medication and emergency storage and paper work. Check for expired items and to notify Assistant Director/Director as needed to maintain.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and timely child, family, and agency records and forms. Update as required and/or needed.
• Works with children for 8 hours of classroom time or as scheduled.
• Responsible for DRDP Summary for the classroom. Using assessment data, develop a whole classroom summary to use for environment and activity planning for classroom and outdoors.
• Identify and work with Children with suspected needs, IFSPs, and/or IEPs. When identified in the classroom, have child added to primary group and build relationships with the parents/families to help get the needed support for the child. Work closely with the Assistant Director as soon as child is identified of needing support/diagnosis. Director will support as needed.
  
• Provide class field trips onto the campus and Merced community accessible by CatTracks and public transportation.
  NAC Classroom Observation reflection and implementation 2x/year. Co-develop a corrective action plan with co-teacher. Responsible to submit documentation of the written plan to the Assistant Director and takes the lead on the implementation of the finalized action plan and resulting recommendations.
  
• Participates in the overall evaluation of the program.

WORK COOPERATIVELY WITH ECEC CENTER STAFF AND UC MERCED CAMPUS

• Attend and participate in staff meetings and required training.
  
• Attend and participate in parent meetings/activities/work days, at least once per year.
  
• Fulfill obligations for Title 22, National Accreditation Commission of Early Care and Education Programs (NAC) and any other best practices or program requirements that the ECEC adopts.
  
• Submit, with co-teacher(s) assistance, all required paperwork to the Assistant Director or Director as designated.
  
• Work with ECEC staff, parents, children, UC Merced affiliates, and Merced community members with a professional demeanor.
  
• Continue professional growth to maintain a valid California Child Development Permit.
  
• Provide functional on the job training and guidance for student workers, volunteers, interns, and research students.
  
• Leads student workers and student volunteers. Assigns work, provides direction, answer questions of students as they arise in relation to classroom operations and provide timely verbal feedback as needed. Responsible for end of semester written feedback for student aides and ongoing student volunteers.
  
• Participate, as needed, in UC Merced faculty and graduate student research efforts at ECEC.
  
• Welcome, orient, and support undergraduate students assigned to their classroom for coursework.

PARENT PARTNERSHIPS

• Conducts a parent orientation and interview prior to the child's first day in the program. Schedules parent/teacher conferences twice per program year and as needed through the request of the parent or teacher.
  Interacts with parents daily during drop off, welcoming them into the class and exchange of information, and during pick up, saying goodbye and exchange of information.
  
• Promoting parent participation within the classroom and for other parent oriented ECEC activities.
  In conjunction with the ECEC, inform parents of policies and procedures, upcoming events, current issues and information in the form of announcements, reminders, article reprints, newsletters, parent meetings, workshops, emails and website portal.
  
• With co-teacher(s), maintain classroom parent information, including: documentation panels, lesson plans, special classroom events, daily schedule and web portal.
  
• With co-teacher(s), develop monthly articles for ECEC Bobcat Kittens Newsletter.
• In conjunction with ECEC Director, Assistant Director, parents, and others assist in the annual program evaluation and goal setting process.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Associate degree or equivalent in ECE/Child Development or related.
• Bachelor's degree in ECE/Child Development or related field. (Preferred)

AND

• Three years of classroom experience or an appropriate combination of education and experience in Child Development or related field.
• A minimum of 3 units in Infant/Toddler Development from an accredited college.
• Must have a valid Child Development Teacher Permit or higher from the California Commission of Teacher Credentialing.
• Meet all Title 22 requirements for employment.
• Pediatric First Aid and CPR prior to start date (or must be able to obtain within three months of hire).
• Must have received fingerprint clearance through the Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing Division(FBI, DoJ, and CACAI. Background clearance must be maintained while employed.
• State of California Mandated Reporter Training (completion upon hire).
• Proof of current TB clearance and health screening.
• Proof of measles and pertussis vaccination.

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS

• Strong working knowledge of early childhood education processes, as well as related policy and regulatory compliance requirements, in an early childhood education setting.
• Ability to provide professional early childhood education services to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, display a professional demeanor and be able to maintain the confidentiality of information and materials.
• Strong interpersonal skills, service orientation, active listening, critical thinking, ability to multi-task effectively in a challenging environment, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to perform basic computer use, including: keyboard and mouse, simple data entry, use of email software and internet search.
• Ability to safely manage multiple children (within established ratios) and provide engaging activities and appropriate interactions to encourage learning and social emotional development.
• Demonstrated time management skills to develop appropriate lesson plans on a consistent basis based on age-appropriate practices.
• Meet all reporting requirements for tracking student development.
• Adjust to unexpected team shift absences.
• Ability to proofread own work (DRDPs, documentation boards, email or other communication, etc.) for accuracy.
• Ability to work with diverse clientele professionally using patience, tact, sensitivity and diplomacy.
• Demonstrated ability and experience, minimum of two years of classroom experience, to teach and work independently in a center-based child development program.
• Knowledge of developmental needs and appropriate learning experiences for children 6 weeks to 5 years.
• Familiarity with child development theory and practice.
• Proficiency in writing and speaking in English.

Background check required.

How to Apply:
An online application is required for each position to apply.The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or other protected categories covered by the UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy. UC Merced intentionally promotes and maintains a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace by demonstrating it neither condones nor tolerates employment practices that discriminate against or harass any person or specific group of persons on the basis listed above. We seek candidates who will support our vision to cultivate a vibrant, equity-minded, inclusive excellence university community. When applying to UC Merced, we strongly encourage you to reflect on our Principles of Community and our 2021 strategic plan.

Vaccination Program Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. For new University of California employees, the applicable deadline is 14 days after their first date of employment.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy:
The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify:
All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/

This position is eligible for the UC Merced Employee Referral Program (ERP). If you were referred by a UC Merced employee, please identify that employee by name in your application as follows:

Step 5 of 7 Referrals

How did you hear about the job? (select) "other"

Additional information? (select) "other"

Specific Referral Source? (write in) first and last name of referring employee

Referring employee MUST be named on application for eligibility.