Per Diem Preschool Specialist I (20759909)

City of San Mateo; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 28,474 - 29,714; Part time

Job summary

City of San Mateo is hiring for a Preschool Specialist I to support morning preschool programs for ages 2–5. The role emphasizes a safe, welcoming environment, developmentally appropriate activities, and family collaboration. The position is part-time, with up to 1,000 hours per fiscal year.

Ideal candidates are 18+ with a HS diploma; ECE units are a plus. Strong communication, leadership, and teamwork are essential as you help implement the curriculum and assist with daily operations.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old or possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Early Childhood Education units are preferred but not required.
• Demonstrate strong communication with youth, families, and staff.
• Show leadership and initiative and work cooperatively as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with staff and implement age-appropriate activities and games.
• Assist with behavior management strategies for preschoolers.
• Support daily operations and supervise participants with safety practices.
• Assist with incident and accident documentation.
• Communicate with families and participants as needed.
• Maintain program supplies and equipment; participate in staff meetings.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma

Early Childhood Education units (preferred)

Job description

Category Recreation

Region San Francisco/Peninsula

Job Type Part‑Time

Close Date Until filled

$20.67-$21.57 Hourly

None

About San Mateo

San Mateo is a city of more than 100,000 residents located in San Mateo County, California, on the San Francisco Peninsula. One of the City’s strengths is its diversity, both in the ethnic makeup and the physical development of the community. San Mateo has a vibrant business and retail environment with national and international businesses, two major shopping centers and an active downtown.

You would be joining over 500 people whose mission it is to serve the San Mateo community with a collaborative, innovative and professional spirit. We are looking for someone who embodies our shared values of respect, creativity, inclusivity, transparency, and integrity in their words and actions.

We invite applications for the position of:

$20.67- $21.57 hourly

The City of San Mateo Parks & Recreation Department is looking for caring, enthusiastic, team-oriented, creative and energetic individuals to join our preschool team!

The Position:

Are you seeking a meaningful opportunity to serve youth in a diverse, multicultural community? Join our team and make a positive difference every day. This position supports the daily operations of preschool programming by leading activities while helping maintain a safe and welcoming environment for participants. This role serves a variety of preschool programs for ages 2‑5 years. Teachers are dedicated to providing a safe environment for each child to grow emotionally, physically, socially, and intellectually and are committed to supporting families and children by following developmentally appropriate practices. Preschool Specialist I staff take an active role in activity leadership and participant supervision. This is a part‑time position in the morning hours and is limited to 1,000 hours in a fiscal year.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate should be at least 18 years of age or possess a high school diploma or equivalent and preferably have at least one season or comparable experience working in a classroom, after‑school program, or camp. Early Childhood Education units are preferred but not required. Applicant must demonstrate strong communication skills when working with youth, families, and staff; and be able to work independently while following direction from a Program Specialist or Lead Teacher. The position requires individuals who show leadership and initiative in the implementation of program activities and who work cooperatively as part of a team. Availability is required Monday through Friday from August through June between the hours of 8:00am‑12:30pm.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Collaborate with staff and implement creative age‑appropriate games, arts and crafts, songs and science activities that coincide with our curriculum standards.
• Assist with behavior management strategies and best practices for working with preschool aged children.
• Support daily operations and provide participant supervision while following all safety practices.
• Assist with incident and accident documentation.
• Communicate appropriately with families and participants.
• Assist with maintaining program supplies and equipment.
• Participate in all activities and monthly staff meetings.
• Follow established safety procedures and program guidelines.

Are You Interested? Apply.

Applications are available online at www.calopps.org. For additional information or questions regarding this position, please contact Michele Venneri, Community Services Supervisor, at [e-mail] or 650.522.7484.

Recruitment will open until filled and is subject to close at any time without notice.

Fine Print

Prior to hire, candidates will be required to successfully complete all pre‑employment requirements, including reference checks, a Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Live Scan fingerprint background check, and Tuberculosis (TB) clearance. The City of San Mateo is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It is the intent and desire of the City of San Mateo that equal employment opportunity will be provided in recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, wages, benefits, and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, applicants requiring accommodations for any part of the testing or recruitment process must notify [e-mail] or [phone] seven (7) days in advance of the deadline for the part of the process requiring accommodations. Do not upload any documents related to your request for accommodation in CalOpps. The City of San Mateo complies with employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.