Director, Child Development Center

Director, Child Development Center

Salary: $88,283.00 – $137,120.00 Annually

Job Number:

Closing: 3/8/ :59 PM Pacific

Location: Merced College, CA

Merced Community College District invites you to apply for the position of Director, Child Development Center. The Director leads 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. The position represents Merced College with external funding agencies and collaborates with Early Childhood Education faculty to support instructional principles and best practices.

CDC Philosophy

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 leads a program that nurtures the whole child, supports individual learning styles and cultural diversity, and fosters critical thinking, self‑esteem, and healthy growth.

Merced College Vision Highlights

• Degree/Certificate Programs
• Transfer
• Career Technical Education
• Workforce Training
• Lifelong Learning
• Basic Skills
• Community Engagement

Responsibilities

• Manage daily operations, services, and activities of the infant, toddler, and preschool programs.
• Work with college administrators to develop, plan, and implement CDC programs.
• Oversee the Early Childhood Education demonstration lab.
• Support ECE student learning opportunities in infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms.
• Assist parents with referral processes for children with developmental delays or disabilities.
• Develop and maintain positive parent relationships; plan and oversee parent‑teacher conferences, parent orientations, and trainings.
• Oversee and monitor the center’s nutritional program.
• Establish center goals, objectives, and plans linked to the Merced College Strategic Plan.
• Communicate district and college policies to center staff.
• Develop and administer annual grant applications and seek new grant funding.
• Manage the center’s annual budgets and ensure expenditures remain within budget.
• Maintain appropriate records on children, staff, and students in compliance with regulations.
• Ensure program compliance with college policies and state, local, and federal guidelines.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting to federal and state authorities.
• Maintain facilities in compliance with childcare licensing requirements and arrange necessary improvements.
• Supervise, evaluate, and provide staff development to center staff, student interns, and volunteers.
• Participate in community, regional, state, and national trainings and conferences.
• Represent Merced College at meetings, workshops, and institutes.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of

• Director/Supervisor role in a child care center.
• Early Childhood Education principles and practices.
• Educational, emotional, physical, and dietary needs of children.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.

Ability to

• Speak, read, and write English clearly.
• Maintain accurate records with proper spelling and calculations.
• Work cooperatively with others.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds.

Qualifications

Required

• High School diploma plus four (4) years teaching experience.
• OR Associate's degree plus two (2) years teaching experience.
• OR Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Child Development plus one (1) year teaching experience.
• Child Development Program Director Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
• Sensitivity to diverse student backgrounds.
• Education must include twelve (12) ECE units, including three (3) units in infant/toddler, and three (3) units in administration/staff relations.
• Teaching experience must be in a licensed childcare center.

License or Certificate

• Valid California driver’s license or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.
• Mandated reporter training certificate.
• Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) first aid, CPR, and Health and Safety Course completion certification (non‑online).

Desired

• Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development including three (3) units in infant/toddler.
• Child Development Program Director Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
• Six (6) units in administration.

Physical Demand and Working Environment

Work is performed primarily in an office and childcare classroom environment with some travel to different sites. Incumbents may be required to work extended hours, including evenings and weekends.

Physical Ability

• 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; sit on floor or child‑size chairs.
• Hear and understand speech at normal levels.
• Read printed matter and computer screens.
• Stand or sit for prolonged periods.
• 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 and Hearing

Normal visual and auditory range, with or without correction.

How to Apply

• Submit a complete application by the closing date on the Merced College career pages at

Required Documentation

• 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.
• Diversity Statement (limit to one page).
• If applicable, foreign transcripts must include a U.S. evaluation and translation completed by an approved organization.

Interview Information

Applicants deemed highly qualified will be invited to onsite oral interviews conducted by a screening committee. Interview dates are scheduled for March 23, 2026 with final interviews on March 24, 2026.

Employee Benefits

Health benefits for the employee and all eligible dependents cost employee’s only $12 per month and provide access to PPO medical coverage, PPO dental coverage, VSP vision coverage, and more. Sick leave and retirement benefits are also provided. For more details, visit the Merced College Benefits website.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Merced Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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