Job Description

The Early Childhood Education Center is a high-quality early learning environment serving children ages 3 and 4 and functions as a laboratory school that supports both child development and university instruction. The ECEC provides a model setting for developmentally appropriate practice, observation, and applied learning for undergraduate students through structured observations, practicum placements, and student employment opportunities.


The Director provides vision, leadership, and daily oversight of the ECEC while advancing its role as a premier early childhood education center and an integral component of the HDFS curriculum. The position also includes teaching responsibilities within the Human Development and Family Science program, contributing to student learning, mentoring, and program development. The Director reports to the Director of the School of Human Ecology.

Responsibilities include:

Provide leadership and administration of the Early Childhood Education Center, including supervision of lead teachers and staff, program planning, and compliance with state licensing and quality standards.

Maintain and enhance the ECEC’s role as a model early childhood program and laboratory school supporting student learning and engagement.

Facilitate high-impact learning experiences for university students through observations, practicum placements, and student employment.

Teach three undergraduate courses in Human Development and Family Science per academic year.

Support recruitment, retention, and success of HDFS students.

Collaborate with faculty to integrate the ECEC into academic programming and experiential learning opportunities.

Engage with families, community partners, and university stakeholders to promote program excellence and visibility.

Qualifications:

Master’s degree in Human Development and Family Science, Early Childhood Education, Child Development or a closely related field required.

Demonstrated experience in early childhood program administration or leadership.

Experience teaching or mentoring college students preferred.

Strong commitment to developmentally appropriate practice and experiential learning.

Effective communication and organizational skills