Childcare Program Assistant Director

University Of Idaho; Moscow (ID); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Idaho Children’s Center is seeking a Lead Teacher to plan, implement, and evaluate activities for infants through preschoolers. You will supervise classroom staff and student teachers, support curriculum development, and mentor instructors to foster a caring, developmentally appropriate program.

You will collaborate with families, maintain health and safety standards, and ensure quality experiences for diverse learners in a respectful, inclusive environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field with credentials
• Five years of childcare experience including curriculum development/review
• CPR and First Aid certification or able to obtain within 1 month of hire

Responsibilities

• Review, plan, prepare and evaluate age-appropriate activities for infants to preschoolers
• Lead classes as primary instructor and supervise staff and student teachers
• Develop curriculum and mentor instructors
• Maintain health and safety requirements and compliance with state regulations
• Engage with families to build partnerships and support children’s development

Skills

Communication

Mentoring

Team leadership

Observation

Record keeping

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The University of Idaho Children’s Center ( UICC ) offers a child-development program. The learning environment is one that honors each child. Choices are offered, and decisions are respected. Teachers are facilitators, rather than instructors. We encourage independence by fostering self-help and decision-making. These processes lead to positive self-esteem.

Position Overview

This position is responsible for reviewing, initiating, planning, preparing, implementing and evaluating activities and routines for a developmentally appropriate program. This position is the primary instructor of classes and supervises classroom staff and student teachers. They participate in the development and implementation of curriculum while supporting and mentoring other instructors. Duties may include:

• Managing and ensuring classroom environments and curriculum honor the individual strengths, needs and interests of the classroom community
• Observing, recording, maintaining and managing records on developmental levels and progress
• Developing partnerships with parents and providing sensitive, responsive care for all daily routines
• Training, supervising and evaluating Children’s Center staff
• Maintaining health and safety requirements and all requirements of local and state regulatory agencies
• Other duties as assigned

This is an essential position that will be called upon in the event of an emergency and/or university closure.

• Five years working in childcare to include developing, implementing and/or reviewing curriculum for infants, toddlers and/or preschool children
• Five years providing instruction, participating in or leading a team, or delegating duties and responsibilities
• Interacting, communicating with and engaging with children
• Supporting children with special and/or unique needs, including behavior management and working with outside specialists
• Leading and mentoring early childhood care providers

Required Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development-Family Studies, Early Childhood Special Education, or Elementary Education with an emphasis on Early Childhood Education or equivalent with up-to-date continuing education credentials

Required Other

• Hold CPR and First Aid certifications or be able to acquire them within one month of hire
• Pass a State of Idaho Health and Welfare background check
• Enroll in Idaho Stars Professional Development System ( PDS ) within 90 days of hire date

Additional Preferred

• Experience with or knowledge of typical and atypical development of children from six weeks through preschool age
• Master’s degree in Child Development or working towards the completion of a graduate degree in a related field to early learning and education
• Working knowledge of educational curriculum, objectives, goals and outcomes for children birth-5 years
• Experience and knowledgeable of program planning and implementation
• High levels of computer literacy
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office software
• Demonstrated creative and critical thinking skills
• Excellent communication, prioritization, multi-task, verbal and written skills
• Knowledge of CPR and First Aid procedures
• Active participant in Idaho Stars Professional Development System ( PDS )
• Completion of 12 credit hours of college graduate level course work in early childhood education, early childhood special education, or related fields to children and families

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Ability to bend and stoop
• Ability to lift, carry and/or otherwise move 50 pounds
• Ability to stand, sit, run and climb stairs

Degree Requirement

Degree Requirement Listed degree qualification is required at time of hire

Posting Information

FLSA Status Non-Exempt

Employee Category Classified

Pay Range $28.81 + DOE

Type of Appointment Fiscal Year

FTE

1.0

Full Time/Part Time

Full Time/Part Time Full Time

Funding A visa sponsorship is available for the position listed in this vacancy.

Posting Date 07/24/2026

Closing Date Open Until Filled Yes

Applicants who are selected as final possible candidates must be able to pass a criminal background check.

The University of Idaho is an equal employment opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Required Documents

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter/Letter of Application

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
  • Academic Careers
  • Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU)
  • Chronicle
  • Facebook
  • HigherEd/Academic Impressions
  • Higher Ed Jobs
  • Idaho Department of Labor/Job Service including Job Central or Idaho Works (Idahoworks.gov)
  • Indeed.com
  • Inside Higher Ed
  • LinkedIn
  • Newspaper
  • Other Venue
  • Professional Listservs (Ex: NACUBO, AAAE, ISMC, etc.)
  • University of Idaho Website
  • University of Idaho Daily Register
  • University of Idaho Employee
  • Word of Mouth
  • Militaryjob.com
  • DSPSjobs.com
  • Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC)
• * Were you referred to this employment opportunity by a current University of Idaho employee? If so, please provide their name and department.

  (Open Ended Question)