Job Details
Director, Child Development Center
Director, Child Development Center
Salary: $88,283.00 - $137,120.00 Annually
Job Type:
Job Number: 20260211
Closing: 3/8/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Location: Merced College, CA
Department:
If you thrive in a collaborative environment focused on work that strives to bring outstanding childcare for students and the community, Merced Community College District invites you to submit an application for the position of Director, Child Development Center. The Director provides leadership for the Child Development Centers (CDC) located at the Merced and Los Banos campuses, overseeing program planning, daily operations, staff supervision, and compliance with state and federal childcare regulations and multiple funding source requirements. The position represents Merced College with external funding agencies and collaborates with Early Childhood Education faculty to support instructional principles and recommended best practices.
The CDC is grounded in current early childhood education theory and a developmentally appropriate, play-based philosophy that recognizes each child as unique. The Director will lead a program that nurtures the whole child, supports individual learning styles and cultural diversity, and fosters critical thinking, positive self-esteem, and healthy growth and development.
As you consider this opportunity, know that Merced College is more than a community college - we are a catalyst for transformation, redefining higher education and setting new standards for excellence. Serving nearly 20,000 students each year, we are proud to be a leading center of learning and opportunity in California's Central Valley.
Founded in 1962, Merced College blends a strong tradition of academic excellence with forward-thinking innovation to create an inclusive and engaging environment for students and employees alike. Committed to the well-being, growth, and professional success of our team, we foster collaboration and a supportive culture where every employee is empowered to make a difference. Located in the heart of California's Central Valley, the City of Merced offers a welcoming community of more than 90,000 residents, with easy access to the Bay Area, Sacramento, and Yosemite National Park.
If you are passionate about innovation, equity, and student success, we invite you to join the Merced College team.
Merced College Mission
At Merced College, students are our focus, and we are known by their success. We transform lives through education and workforce development.
Merced College Vision
Enriching our community through educational experiences and support services:
- Degree/Certificate Programs
- Transfer
- Career Technical Education
- Workforce Training
- Lifelong Learning
- Basic Skills
- Community Engagement
Merced College promoters student success through equitable access, continuous quality improvement, and institutional effectiveness, all with a focus on student achievement.
Salary Schedule:
Management Range 9
Salary placement commensurate with education and experience
Additional compensation for doctorate
General Description:
Under the direction of the Vice President of Administrative Services, the incumbent will lead, manage, supervise, plan, and coordinate the programs and activities of the Child Development Center (CDC). Oversee the daily operations of the CDC and supervision of CDC staff. Comply with state and federal childcare regulations and meet the contractual requirements of multiple funding sources. Represent Merced College to external agencies and funders. Collaborate with Early Childhood Education (ECE) faculty to implement procedures and activities that reflect and support the principles and recommended practices of the ECE instructional program.
Examples of Duties
Representative Duties:
- Manage the daily operations, services and activities of the infant, toddler and preschool programs of the Merced College Child Development Center
- Work in cooperation with other college administrators in the development, planning and implementation of CDC programs
- Oversee the Early Childhood Education demonstration lab
- Support ECE student learning opportunities in infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms
- Assist parents with the referral process for children with identifiable developmental delays or disabilities
- Develop and maintain positive parent relationships; plan and oversee parent- teacher conferences, parent orientations and parent trainings
- Oversee and monitor the Center nutritional program; including on site meal preparation, supervision of food technicians, and execution of the California Adult and Child Food program
- Establish overall child development center goals, objectives and plans that link to Merced College Strategic Plan
- Communicate district and college policies to Center staff
- Oversee the development of the annual applications for continued funding grants; and seek new grant funding
- Manage the development and administration of the Center's annual budgets
- Ensure that expenditures remain within budget
- Maintain appropriate records on children, staff and students in compliance with District requirements, licensing regulations and other legal and regulatory provisions
- Oversee program compliance with college policies and systems, and the regulations of the California Department of Social Services licensing regulations, the funding requirements of the California Department of Education, Title 22 and Title V regulations and all other applicable state, local, and federal guidelines
- Ensure timely and accurate reporting of data to Federal and State authorities
- Assure facilities are properly maintained, as appropriate, to serve and in compliance with childcare licensing requirements; arrange for necessary facility improvements
- Supervise, evaluate, and provide staff development and leadership to classified professionals, student interns and volunteers in the Child Development Center
- Participate in community, regional, state, and national trainings and conferences
- Represent Merced College at a variety of meetings, workshops, and institutes
- Other related duties as assigned
Knowledge of:
- Experienced in the role of the Director/Supervisor in a child care center. Current knowledge of the principles and practices of Early Childhood Education (ECE)
- Educational, emotional, physical and dietary needs and requirements of children
- Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy
- Speak, read and write English clearly
- Prepare and maintain accurate records using proper spelling and accurate calculations
- Work cooperatively with others
- Demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students
Typical Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Education/Training/Experience
- High School diploma plus four (4) years teaching experience
- OR Associate's degree plus two (2) years teaching experience
- OR Bachelor's degree from an acceptable accredited institution in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Child Development plus one (1) year teaching experience
- AND Child Development Program Director Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
- AND Sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students
- Education must include twelve (12) ECE units, including three (3) units in infant/toddler, plus three (3) units in administration/staff relations
- Teaching experience must be in a licensed childcare center
- Valid California driver's license or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire date
- Mandated reporter training certificate
- Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) first aid CPR and Health and Safety Course completion certification (not online course)
Desired Qualifications:
Education/Training/Experience
Master's degree from an acceptable accredited institution in Early Childhood Education or Child Development including three (3) units in infant toddler AND Child Development Program Director Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing AND Six (6) units in administration
Physical Demand and Working Environment:
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individual with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Environment:
Work is performed primarily in an office and Child Development Center classroom environment with some travel to different sites; incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends.
Physical Ability to:
- Stand, walk, bend over, grasp, reach overhead, stoop, twist, push, pull and move, lift and/or carry up to 50 lbs.
- Stand on feet for long periods of time; sit on floor or child size chairs.
- Hear and understand speech at normal levels
- Communicate so others will be able to clearly understand normal conversation
- Read printed matter and computer screens
- Stand or sit for prolonged periods of time
- Bend, twist, stoop, kneel, crawl, push, and pull
- Reach in all directions
- Work at a desk, conference table or in meetings of various configurations
- Operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard
Vision
See in the normal visual range with or without correction.
Hearing
Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
Supplemental Information
How to Apply:
- Submit a complete application by the closing date/time on the Merced College career pages athttps://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mccd
- Letter of interest addressing your qualifications for the position (cover letter)
- Resume
- List of three professional references (no reference letters permitted)
- Legible, unofficial college transcripts (undergraduate and graduate); transcripts must include the degree major and date the institution granted the degree; official copies are not required unless applicant is hired
- Diversity Statement: The Merced College District has a diverse staff and student population. As such, applicants must demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of a diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds of community college students and the community at large. Please describe your leadership efforts and professional experience promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in a work setting. Please do not include any personally identifying information. Limit your response to one (1) page.
- If applicable, foreign transcripts must include a U.S. evaluation and translation completed by an approved organization.
Interview Information:
Applicants deemed highly qualified for the position will be invited to participate in onsite oral interviews conducted by a screening committee. A limited number of candidates will be selected to move forward to the interview stage.
Interview dates are scheduled for March 23, 2026 with in-person, final interviews scheduled for March 24, 2026.
Employee Benefits:
Employee Benefits: Health benefits for the employee and all their eligible dependents cost employee's only $12 per month and provide access to PPO medical coverage, PPO dental coverage, VSP Vision coverage, and more! Please visit our Merced College Benefits website for more details about our incredible employee benefits. In addition, sick leave and retirement benefits are also provided.
Condition of Employment:
The selected candidate must be fingerprinted and tested for tuberculosis at his/her own expense prior to the start of employment. In compliance with the Immigration Reform Act of 1986, all new employees are required to verify their identity and the right to work in the United States. All offers of employment are subject to approval by the Board of Trustees. The applicant must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.
Individuals with disabilities may request any needed accommodation to participate in the application process. Please submit your request with your application to the Human Resources Office.
Merced Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer
To apply, visit https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/mccd/jobs/5233592/director-child-development-center
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