Lead Teacher - EHS - Infant Toddler Program

University Settlement Society of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

University Settlement Society of New York invites a dedicated Early Childhood Educator to join our Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn programs. You will lead daily classroom sessions, develop lesson plans, and provide primary care while supporting families through development assessments and referrals as needed.

The role runs Monday–Friday, 8:00am–4:00pm (35 hours/week). A Bachelor’s degree and NYS ECE certification are required; bilingual English/Chinese or English/Spanish is strongly preferred.

Qualifications

• NYS Certification in Early Childhood Education is required.
• Bachelor's degree is required.
• 2–3 years of experience with toddlers/preschoolers in a classroom setting.
• 1–2 years of supervision experience of classroom staff.
• Strong organization, communication and writing skills.
• Bi-lingual English/Chinese or English/Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead classroom sessions.
• Provide educational support to classroom staff.
• Develop lesson plans and implement engaging curriculum.
• Provide primary care to classroom children.
• Administer developmental assessments for children.
• Develop relationships with families and children.
• Identify children with special needs and refer appropriately.
• Maintain classroom materials and documentation.
• Conduct home visits at least twice per program year.
• Attend professional development and meetings.

Skills

Bilingual preference (English/Chinese)

Organization

Communication

Writing skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

NYS Certification in Early Childhood Education

Job description

University Settlement partners with 40,000+ New Yorkers in Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn every year to build on our collective strengths as we achieve healthy, stable, and remarkable lives. For nearly 140 years, we’ve fought poverty and systemic inequality by building highly effective social services in collaboration with our neighbors. Established in 1886 as the first Settlement House in the United States, we bring the values of that movement into the 21st century by meeting New Yorkers where they live, listening deeply to all perspectives, and creating space for responsive cooperation.Joining with our neighbors to make stable foundations where people of all ages can grow and pursue their dreams, we build community strength. We infuse a commitment to civic engagement, equality, and communal action into each of our programs, which include early childhood education, youth development, healthy aging, mental health and wellness, English classes for adult immigrants, community centers, and the arts.Responsibilities:Lead classroom sessionsProvide educational support to classroom staffDevelop lesson plans and implement an engaging, challenging and playful classroom curriculumProvide primary care to classroom childrenAdminister developmental assessment on childrenDevelop consistent, stable and supportive relationships with families and childrenDevelop goals for children in the classroom based on developmental assessmentMaintain written observations of the children's experience in the classroomAssist in identifying children with special needs and facilitate referralsMaintain appropriate materials in the classroomProvide guidance and training to program staff and help mentor the assistant teachers.Develop knowledge of services available to families in the communityMaintain proper documentation on classroom and program activitiesConduct home visits to each child's home at least twice per program yearTrack attendance and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) recordsConduct parent meetings and parent teacher conferencesAttend professional development conferences and training as requiredAssist with classroom set up and clean up on a daily basisOther duties as requested by supervisor to fulfill job responsibilitiesQualifications:NYS Certification in Early Childhood Education requiredBachelors degree requiredBi-lingual skills in English/Chinese or English/Spanish strongly preferredTwo to three years experience working with toddlers and preschoolers in a classroom settingMust have at least one to two years of experience supervising classroom staffMust have good organization, communication and writing skillsWork Schedule: Full time, Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm, 35 hours per weekWhat We Offer:Paid Time Off: A comprehensive package that includes vacation, sick, and personal days, along with paid holidays.Health and Wellness Benefits: Robust medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as short‑ and long‑term disability insurance, life insurance, and additional wellness resources to support your overall well‑being.Financial Benefits: Access to pre‑tax savings programs—including flexible spending accounts and commuter benefits—and a 403(b) retirement plan that includes an employer match of 6% of your salary, eligible after one year of service.Work‑Life Balance: A consistent Monday–Friday schedule and a 35‑hour workweek designed to promote a healthy and sustainable work‑life balance.Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous growth through internal and external training, professional development workshops, tuition assistance, and support for pursuing relevant certifications.We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive community. We support a broadly diverse team who will contribute to our organization. We are an equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, color, citizenship, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran or reservist status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.