Early Childhood Teacher

University of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Utah is seeking an Early Childhood Teacher to join its Student Parent Support Center. This role involves developing lesson plans, fostering child development, and ensuring a nurturing environment for children aged birth to six. The position offers full-time hours with a competitive hourly rate and an excellent benefits package, including retirement options and health insurance.

Benefits

Generous retirement options

Paid parental leave

Paid holidays and vacation accruals

Affordable health insurance

Tuition reduction for employees and family members

Free public transportation pass

Qualifications

• At least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of 1 year of related experience working with children.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification or must obtain within 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement lesson plans for children from birth to six years.
• Promote a positive learning environment using developmentally appropriate techniques.
• Oversee classroom assistants and ensure appropriate interactions with children.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem Solving

Team Collaboration

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate's degree in Child and Family Development

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Development

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

This is an evergreen posting with continuous hiring.

Announcement

Details

Open Date

Open Date 05/16/2025

Requisition Number

Requisition Number PRN41927B

Job Title

Job Title Early Childhood Teacher

Working Title

Working Title Early Childhood Teacher

Job Grade

Job Grade B

FLSA Code

FLSA Code Nonexempt

Patient Sensitive Job Code?

Patient Sensitive Job Code? No

Standard Hours per Week 20 - 40 hours/week, depending on hiring needs and incumbent schedule

Full Time or Part Time?

Full Time or Part Time? Full Time

Shift

Shift Day

Work Schedule Summary

• Monday through Friday between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm
• Schedules may vary
• 20 – 40 hours/week (0.50-1.00 FTE ), depending on hiring needs and incumbent schedule

VP Area

VP Area President

Department

Department 00291 - Student Parent Support Center

Location

Location Other

City

City Salt Lake City, UT

Type of Recruitment

Type of Recruitment External Posting

Pay Rate Range

Pay Rate Range $15.50 - $18.00/hour including an excellent benefits package

Close Date

Close Date 08/16/2025

Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)

The Student Parent Support Center provides information, support, and family resources for University students, faculty, staff, and patients. Student Parent Support Center child care programs are NAEYC accredited and serve children birth to six years. We offer part-time and full-time programming in three campus child care programs for students, faculty, and staff and drop-in child care for patients visiting the three U Health Centers throughout the Salt Lake Valley. These include Campus Child Care Programs (UKids – Presidents Circle , UKids – East Village , and UKids-Guardsman Way ), South Jordan Health Center Program , Farmington Health Center Program , and Sugar House Health Center Program . Multiple openings and continuous hiring.

Our teachers bring kindness, patience, and mastery to the classroom every day, fostering children’s natural curiosity to learn through play and discovery. They encourage children to be lifelong learners using our nationally recognized curriculum that promotes active learning, social, physical, verbal, and cognitive development. We invest in our Teacher’s education by providing a minimum of twenty hours of annual professional development in early childhood education, Utah State Licensing rules and regulations, and NAEYC best practices. Join our team and grow with us!

A excellent benefits package is included (see here for a full description of the benefits package):Generous retirement options, Paid parental leave (in addition to FMLA ), Paid holidays per year plus vacation accruals each month. Wonderful health insurance options that are both affordable and allow access to care through the University of Utah health system. Tuition reduction for employees and family members. Options for short-term and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and HSA / FSA savings plans are available. Free public transportation pass (see here for more information)

Responsibilities

Curriculum, Classroom Management Expectations and Guidance

• Promotes leadership skills within a classroom team and oversees classroom assistants to interpret behaviors and ensure that they are working appropriately with children.
• Models appropriate behavior and teaching techniques for teaching assistants.
• Develop and implement lesson plans to stimulate developmental progress as well as provide intentional daily experience, and hands-on activities for infants, toddlers, and preschool children in accordance with Creative Curriculum Developmental Objectives, DAP guidance techniques, and play-based learning.
• Use positive guidance techniques to minimize inappropriate behavior and redirect children to learn how to appropriately manage their own behavior in a positive manner.
• Supports staff in activities such as: playing on the floor with children at their eye level; actively supervising and maintaining ratios at all times; helping children toilet including lifting children to change their diapers, guiding them through the potty training process (as directed by the lead teacher), and washing hands; cleaning the classroom; maintaining safe transitions between indoors and playground (including actively supervising children outdoors year-round)
• Assists children with physical necessities, feeding, toileting/diapering, medical emergencies, and other life skills, to give proper care and, where appropriate, facilitate development.
• Daily routine care of children such as: feeding, diapering, cuddling, playing, singing, talking, picking children up, holding them, and otherwise providing a gentle and nurturing environment. You will need to be available and responsive to the individual needs of children.
• Other duties as assigned.

Professionalism

• Establishes and maintains friendly, professional, and effective working relationships with other employees, parents, and children.
• Works in conjunction with parents and guardians to build and maintain relationships, discuss concerns, provide suggestions and solutions to day-to-day problems, and alleviate concerns.
• Works in a supportive and cooperative manner with all staff
• Work as a team to maintain a cheerful, inclusive, and aesthetically pleasing childcare environment that reflects the cultural diversity and interests of the children.
• Follows directives given by Administration, including Director or Director Designee. This may include last-minute changes to ensure the safety and well-being of children are maintained.
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently, but show a willingness to take direction from the supervisor.
• Demonstrates consistent attendance and punctuality.
• Responsible for accurate record keeping and data collection of client’s program usage to maintain compliance with child care licensing and NAEYC .

Problem Solving
The Early Childhood Teacher has the authority to develop all lesson plans and curriculum taught in the class, assess problem behaviors, and emotional functioning of children, and discuss these matters with the parents/guardians. He/she also assesses the degree of illness, or injury and decides the proper course of action, i.e. a child with asthma who might have an unusually strong attack, etc. The incumbent also has the authority to operate the center in the absence of the Supervisor, oversee teacher aides and intervene to ensure they interact with appropriate child guidance techniques. Any suspect of child abuse, or neglect are reported to the Supervisor.

Some challenges faced by the Early Childhood Teacher are teaching non-English speaking preschoolers while trying to overcome language and culture differences; and dealing with hyper-activity disorders. Other problems are parents who bring in sick children, those who are unable to leave work to pick up sick children, and those who cannot be reached when their child is sick.

Comments
The incumbent must also distribute medication brought in by parents to children appropriately, and collect money for field trips.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of 1 year of related experience working with children, in a child care, Head Start, or preschool.
• Demonstrated interest in learning about child development and guidance.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification, or must obtain within 6 months of hire.
• Current Food Handler’s Permit or must obtain upon hire.
• Understanding and commitment to issues of inclusivity, cultural diversity, and anti-racism.
• Must be able to lift and carry small children in arms for short distances (10-50 lbs.).
• Must meet physical characteristics (with or without the use of aids) including:
  • Fine and gross motor skills
  • Sufficient vision to read printed material
  • Sufficient hearing to hear normal and telephone conversations
  • Ability to speak in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversation
  • Ability to sit on the floor and move about on hands and knees for long periods of time
  • Ability to walk and stand for long periods of time
• Must be able to communicate effectively with children and their parents/guardians, both verbally and in writing.
• Must be able to complete ongoing written assessments about each child that will be shared with parents/guardians.
• Demonstrated skills in general office duties, computer systems, and technology.
• Must be available for in-person meetings with parents/guardians when requested.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with management and/or dispatch in case of emergency.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage time, evaluate progress, and adjust activities to complete projects within established timeframe.
• Skilled in establishing effective and collaborative working relationships.
• Able to demonstrate skills in effective communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving.
• Demonstrated skills in general office duties, computer systems, and technology.
• A commitment to providing excellent customer service skills.
• Twenty hours of continuing education each year in early childhood education, per Utah Licensing rules and regulations and NAEYC best practices.
• Must be able to pass criminal background check.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree in a related field (such as Child and Family Development, Early Childhood Development) or equivalency
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (such as Child and Family Development, Early Childhood Development) or equivalency
• Current Child Development Associate ( CDA ) certificate or willingness to pursue a CDA .
• Some experience working in a NAEYC Accredited program.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Disclaimer
This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Preferences

• Associate’s degree in a related field (such as Child and Family Development, Early Childhood Development) or equivalency
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (such as Child and Family Development, Early Childhood Development) or equivalency
• Current Child Development Associate ( CDA ) certificate or willingness to pursue a CDA .
• Some experience working in a NAEYC Accredited program.

Type

Special Instructions Summary

This is an evergreen posting with continuous hiring.

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at [phone] for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at [phone] or [phone] or University Human Resource Management at [phone] if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients.

All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action ( OEO /AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/
Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu



https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Are you at least 18 years of age and have obtained a high school diploma or GED?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have a minimum of 1 year of related experience working with children, in child care, Head Start, or preschool?
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 year or more but less than 2 years
  • 2 years or more but less than 4 years
  • 4 years or more
• * What childcare program location are you interested in? (may select multiple)
  • Campus Child Care Programs (UKids – Presidents Circle, UKids – East Village, and UKids-Guardsman Way)
  • South Jordan Health Center Program
  • Farmington Health Center Program
  • Sugar House Health Center Program
  • Any location

Required Documents

Resume

Optional Documents

Cover Letter

Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Document Description for More Information – Addendum to the University of Utah – Veteran Only

Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Description for More Information – Appropriate discharge document (such as DD-2214) – Veteran Only

University Human Resource Management
250 East 200 South, Suite 125 Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Contact us: [phone] By Email: [e-mail]