Assistant Director / Head Teacher

Stone Ridge, NY

Full Time

Early Childhood Education

Mid Level

Children’s Center Head Teacher/ Assistant Director

Ulster Community College Association
Full-time; 35 hours per week
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
Priority Screening: December 30, 2025

Position Summary:

Ulster Community College Association is currently accepting applications for a Head Teacher/Assistant Director to work in the Children’s Center.

The Head Teacher / Assistant Director supports the Director in the overall administration, leadership, and daily operations of the Children’s Center while simultaneously serving as the lead teacher of an assigned classroom. This dual role ensures the delivery of high-quality early childhood education, a safe and developmentally appropriate environment for children, and strong communication across families, staff, and the campus community.

The Head Teacher / Assistant Director ensures compliance with New York State OCFS regulations, Quality Stars NY/NAEYC standards, and all Center policies, while contributing to program planning, supervision, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

Learning Environment

Plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum that supports children’s emotional, social, intellectual, and physical growth.
Maintain daily, weekly, and monthly lesson plans based on standards and child interests.
Create a safe, nurturing, and stimulating classroom environment with organized learning centers.
Conduct daily health checks and assist children with personal care needs including toileting, diapering, feeding, and comforting.
Maintain records of each child’s progress and development.
Maintain classroom cleanliness, materials, and supply lists.

Program Operations & Compliance

Assist the Director in daily oversight of center-wide schedules, classroom operations, and transitions.
Maintain attendance, health, safety, and compliance records.
Support enrollment, billing, and waitlist processes.
Participate in program evaluation, grant writing, Quality Stars or NAEYC processes, and continuous quality improvement.
Supervise the Center in the Director’s absence.

Leadership & Supervision

Provide guidance, mentoring, and support to assistant teachers, aides, student workers, fieldwork students, and volunteers.
Assist with recruitment, onboarding, training, and scheduling of staff.
Model professional conduct and maintain positive working relationships.
Collaborate with staff across classrooms and assist other rooms when necessary

Family & Community Engagement

Keep families informed about classroom activities, projects, events through verbal interactions, newsletters and calendars, parent information board, and daily sheets
Communicate with parents about each child’s growth and development
Develop supportive partnerships with families.
Provide opportunities for family involvement
Conference at least twice per year with parents
Address concerns with parents when they arise and refer children for special services when appropriate and after speaking with Director

Professionalism

Maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and a positive work environment.
Attend all staff meetings and recommended training programs and conferences.
Maintain an understanding of regulations put forth by the Office of Children and Family Services
Maintain personal ASPIRE registration, First aid/CPR certifications and ongoing training hours
Be supportive of the Center and Administration

Physical Requirements

Must be able to perform physical activities, such as, but not limited to, lifting children or heavy items (50 pounds), bending, standing for long periods of time, climbing, or walking
Must be able to lift 50 pounds from the floor to waist high table multiple times a day
Ability to reach a child more than 20 feet away in less than a minute
Must be able to crouch to a child’s height and maintain eye contact with child
Must be able to sit on the floor for extended of periods of time and get up and down quickly
High degree of concentration, patience, and ability to deal with pressure and distraction

Work Schedule & Conditions

Full-time, 12 months per year.
Schedule may require occasional evenings for family events or professional development.
Position includes classroom support as needed.

Ability to:

Multi task and prioritize responsibilities within a flexible schedule
Maintain professionalism and confidentiality in regards to children and staff information
Assist Director in any other areas as requested

Qualifications:

Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field Bachelor’s preferred) or hold a current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.
Minimum 3- 5 years of experience working in early childhood education, including supervisory or leadership experience.

Strong understanding of OCFS Regulations and Program Requirements.
Knowledge of National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Standards

Strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
Current CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain within one year of position start).

Salary:

An initial starting hourly rate of $24.00 -$26.00 will be commensurate with education, training, and experience. This position is contingent upon adequate funding.

Application Process:

The position is open until filled. However, to ensure consideration, application materials should be received via email by December 30, 2025 at 4:00 pm EST to be given priority consideration. Applications received after the deadline are not guaranteed to be reviewed. SUNY Ulster reserves the right to close, continue, cancel, postpone or restart the recruitment at any time.

Applicants must submit the following materials to be considered for the position:

Resume or CV
Cover letter which discusses your qualifications and interest in the position
Contact information for 3 professional references

Ulster Community College Association is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The Association encourages applications from all qualified applicants. Applicants who are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act and who, due to a disability, require accommodations for completing the application process, testing (if required for the position), or the interview, should notify the Human Resources Office 10 working days before the accommodation is required.

This position is contingent upon adequate funding. Offer and assignment of employment is subject to verification of all information provided on the employment application, fingerprint check, verification of the right to work in the United States and all other required pre-employment conditions are met.

Ulster Community College Association does not reimburse applicants for travel, lodging or any other costs incurred by applicant to attend interviews. All interviewing costs incurred will be the responsibility of the applicant. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview.

Conditions of Employment

Employment with Ulster Community College Association is not complete or official until applicants meet all pre-employment requirements. Offer and assignment of employment is subject to verification of all information provided on the employment application, fingerprint check, verification of the right to work in the United States and all other required pre-employment conditions are met.

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