Professor of Child Development

Merced College; Merced (CA); On-site; USD 74,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Merced College is seeking a full-time professor of Child Development for spring 2027 who is dedicated to early childhood education, K-12 teacher preparation, human development, family care, and childcare worker training.

The successful candidate will bring a passion for high quality and equity in early childhood education and a commitment to supporting professional education for teachers, teachers' aides, caregivers, school-age workers, administrators, and related staff.

Qualifications

• Master's in child development or related field as required

Responsibilities

• Provide innovative and effective instruction
• Inform students about course requirements and policies; maintain contact
• Maintain and submit attendance and records in LMS
• Deliver, prepare, and grade class assignments and exams
• Maintain and utilize instructional design and methods
• Post and maintain office hours
• Participate in curriculum development
• Develop teaching-learning materials
• Participate in committees and college activities
• Represent the college in the Merced community

Education

Master's in child development

Bachelor's in related field with Master's in supervision/education/psychology or equivalent

Job description

Professor of Child Development

Salary: $73,835.00 - $99,878.00 Annually

Job Type: Faculty

Job Number: 20261027

Closing: 11/16/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Location: Merced College, CA

Merced College is seeking a full-time professor of Child Development for spring 2027 who is dedicated to early childhood education, K-12 teacher preparation, human development, family care, and childcare worker training. The successful candidate will bring a passion for high quality and equity in early childhood education and a commitment to supporting professional education for teachers, teachers' aides, caregivers, school-age workers, administrators, and related staff. Merced College is committed to academic excellence, diversity, equity, and inclusion among faculty, staff, and students. If you are interested in making a difference, join our School of Education!

As you consider this opportunity, know that Merced College is more than a community college - we are a catalyst for transformation, redefining higher education and setting new standards for excellence. Serving nearly 20,000 students each year, we are proud to be a leading center of learning and opportunity in California's Central Valley. Founded in 1962, Merced College blends a strong tradition of academic excellence with forward-thinking innovation to create an inclusive and engaging environment for students and employees alike. Committed to the well-being, growth, and professional success of our team, we foster collaboration and a supportive culture where every employee is empowered to make a difference. Located in the heart of California's Central Valley, the City of Merced offers a welcoming community of more than 90,000 residents, with easy access to the Bay Area, Sacramento, and Yosemite National Park. If you are passionate about innovation, equity, and student success, we invite you to join the Merced College team.

Merced College Mission

At Merced College, students are our focus, and we are known by their success. We transform lives through education and workforce development.

Merced College Vision

Enriching our community through educational experiences and support services:

• Degree/Certificate Programs
• Transfer
• Career Technical Education
• Workforce Training
• Lifelong Learning
• Basic Skills
• Community Engagement

Merced College promotes student success through equitable access, continuous quality improvement, and institutional effectiveness, all with a focus on student achievement.

Salary Schedule

*Position's initial maximum salary placement is $99,878*

All successful candidates with doctorates will receive both the two step placement and the doctoral stipend

General Description

This is a full-time, tenure track instructional assignment in the Child Development department under the general direction of the Dean of Business, Economics, Education, Child Development, Adult Education and Non-Credit Education. The standard teaching load is 15 units per semester, which will likely include evening, weekend, and variable hours. The primary teaching assignment will include teaching face-to-face, online, prison, and/or dual enrollment courses. The initial assignment may include lecture classes, such as Child Growth and Development, Child, Family and Community, Human Development, as well as beginning and advanced practicum/lab classes in Preschool and Infant/Toddler Development. Other early childhood education courses may be assigned related to the successful candidate's background and experience.

Examples of Duties

• Provide innovative and effective instruction in accordance with current pedagogy and established course outlines and expectations
• Inform students about course requirements, evaluation procedures and attendance policies and maintain regular and substantive contact with students
• Maintain and submit required student attendance and scholastic records on the Learning Management System (e.g. grades and syllabi)
• Utilize the Learning Management System to deliver, prepare, and grade class assignments and examinations
• Maintain and utilize effective skills in instructional design, applications, and methods
• Post and maintain regular office hours in accordance with prevailing policy
• Participate in the development and review of curriculum
• Participate in the development of teaching-learning methods and materials
• Participate in departmental, area, and campus professional activities/committees
• Represent the college within the Merced community and within professional circles
• Participate in the college's learning outcomes assessment program, including course, program, and institutional assessments to continually improve student learning outcomes

Typical Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education/Training/Experience

Required

• Master's in child development, early childhood education, human development, home economics/ family and consumer studies with a specialization in child development/early childhood education or educational psychology with a specialization in child development/early childhood education
• OR
• Bachelor's in any of the above AND Master's in social work, educational supervision, elementary education, special education, psychology, bilingual/bicultural education, life management/ home economics, family life studies or family and consumer studies
• OR
• the equivalent
• Must have sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students

Preferred

• Demonstrated ability to advocate for and work effectively with historically underrepresented, first-generation college students using multi-modal approaches and student-centered pedagogy.
• Work in collaboration with other faulty on the creation, review, and evaluation of courses, certificates, and degrees to maintain currency of curricular that are culturally responsive to students' needs, learning, and success.
• Commitment to examine, reflect, and modify instructional, relational, and classroom practices as needed to more effectively engage and support disproportionately impacted student populations with a goal of closing equity gaps.
• Coordination of Child Development Faculty and Child Development Laboratory Center (CDC) staff on students' practicum experiences in the lab and the modeling and coaching of theory into practice.
• Promote the Child Development Program through participation in institutional service and collegial governance regarding departmental functioning (e.g., governance councils, advisory committees, hiring committees, faculty evaluations, department meetings, related community events, student club, educational outreach, student advising, community leadership and advocacy, etc.).
• Deep understanding of the state's regulations regarding workforce development needs including the education of ECE, Elementary Ed, TK-3 grade and UPK professionals.
• Ability to contribute to the mission of the college.

Supplemental Information

Required Documentation

1. Letter of interest addressing your qualifications for the position (cover letter)
2. Resume
3. Legible, unofficial college transcripts (undergraduate and graduate); transcripts must include the degree major and date the institution granted the degree; official copies are not required unless applicant is hired
4. List of three professional references (no reference letters permitted)
5. Diversity Statement: The Merced College District has a diverse staff and student population. As such, applicants must demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of a diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds of community college students and the community at large. Please describe how your professional experience would contribute to a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Please do not include any personally identifying information. Limit your response to one (1) page.
6. If applicable, foreign transcripts must include a U.S. evaluation and translation completed by an approved organization
7. If applicable, equivalency Review Form (Required for applicants who do not possess the stated minimum educational qualifications and are seeking consideration on the basis of equivalency) http://www.mccd.edu/offices/hr/jobs/eqforms.html

Only the required documentation as listed above will be accepted for this recruitment. Any additional documentation will be removed from your application profile.

Interview Information

Applicants deemed highly qualified for the position will be invited to participate in onsite oral interviews conducted by a screening committee. A limited number of candidates will be selected to move forward to the interview stage.

Interviews will be held in early December

Employee Benefits

Employee Benefits: Health benefits for the employee and all their eligible dependents only costs employees $12 per month and provide access to PPO medical coverage, PPO dental coverage, VSP Vision coverage, and more! Please visit Merced College Benefits website for more details about our incredible employee benefits. In addition, sick leave and retirement benefits are also provided.

Condition of Employment

The selected candidate must be fingerprinted and tested for tuberculosis at his/her own expense prior to the start of employment. In compliance with the Immigration Reform Act of 1986, all new employees are required to verify their identity and the right to work in the United States. All offers of employment are subject to approval by the Board of Trustees. The applicant must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Individuals with disabilities may request any needed accommodation to participate in the application process. Please submit your request with your application to the Human Resources Office.

Merced Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer