"Child Care Specialist - Merritt College"

College Information

Peralta/College Information

Merritt College

Merritt College is a public, comprehensive, two-year college, maintained by the Peralta Community College District in Alameda County. With a comprehensive day and evening program of transfer, technical, occupational and basic skills education, the College is committed to meeting the educational needs of the diverse student population it serves.

Located on a 125-acre site in the hills of East Oakland, Merritt College combines modern, spacious facilities with a spectacular view of the entire Bay Area. An integral part of a large, busy urban community, the location provides a sense of tranquility and peace.

Position Information

Job Title

Child Care Specialist - Merritt College

Time Base

40 hrs/week 10 months/year

Compensation

Salary Range: $4,133.63 - $5,219.44 /mo. Hiring Range: $4,133.63 - $4,541.08/Mo - The maximum initial placement is Step 3 depending on experience

Position Type

Classified

Department

Cost Center

City

Oakland

State

CA

Job Description Summary

Under general supervision, performs a variety of para-professional early childhood education related duties. This class is assigned responsibility for curriculum development and providing learning experiences matching the needs of individual and groups of children of a given age bracket. Incumbents also oversee the work of Child Care Assistants, work-study students and parents.

WORK SCHEDULE

This is normally a full-time position with a work schedule of five days and 40 hours/week. Duties are normally performed 10 months a year. May be required to work some evenings and Saturdays during peak periods, such as registration, audits, fiscal year end, graduation, etc.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Plans and coordinates the educational program for a group of children ages twelve (12) months to five (5) years of age.
• Responsible for implementing the program’s curriculum through planning the environment while providing individual, small group and large group activities.
• Provides age-appropriate language arts, social studies, cognitive arts, computers, science, art, music, and physical development educational experiences for children in the group.
• Supervises and mentors assigned staff and volunteers.
• Participates in evaluation and planning sessions with supervisory and/or Center staff.
• Assures that safety precautions are adhered to.
• Follows and carries out all State, District and Center policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Supervises and interacts with the children in the classroom and on the playground.
• Responsible for all written information in regards to assigned classroom.
• Coordinates all State and Center paperwork for assigned classroom, including attendance, child and program records.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Possession of a Child Development Teacher Permit or higher OR a Regular Children’s Center Instructional Permit is required as a condition of employment.
2. Knowledge of early childhood education as related to child development and infant/toddler or nursery school programs.
3. Ability to work effectively within a team structure and relate to parents, students and staff of various ethnic backgrounds.
4. Possession of valid certification in Pediatric CPR, First Aid and health & safety practices within six months of employment.
5. Completion of Infant/Toddler units from an approved college within a year of employment.
6. Understanding of, sensitivity to and respect for the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds of Peralta Colleges’ students, faculty, staff and community.

Desirable Qualifications

• Knowledge of early childhood education as related to child development and infant/toddler and pre-school age programs.
• Ability to work effectively within a team structure and relate to parents, students and staff

Environmental Demands

Occasional work performed alone

Constant work around and with people

Other Requirements

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to handle children in an effective and nurturing manner.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Occasional lifting and carrying up to 65 lbs.

• Occasional twisting of body.

• Occasional use of tactile acuity.

• Frequent standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, squatting, and climbing stairs.

• Frequent use of manual dexterity.

• Frequent use of visual acuity from a distance, with depth, and for color.

• Frequent reaching high and low levels.

• Frequent audio acuity at all ranges, including speech.

• Frequent visual acuity for reading.

• Constant use of clear oral communication.

Tools & Equipment Used

Equipment needed to maintain a children’s center program and activities

Application Deadline Date

Sept 22, 2025

Open Date

08/20/2025

Special Instructions to Applicants

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Failure to follow the requirements below may result in your application being disqualified.

Required documents and applications are only accepted through the online process. Please do not mail or fax your application.

Information on transcripts must include degree awarded and confer date.

Copies of diplomas will not substitute for transcripts. Finalists will be required to submit official transcripts from fully accredited college or university institutions prior to the final interview.

Note: A written evaluation by an official foreign credentials/transcripts evaluation and translation service must be submitted for Foreign Degree(s) (non-U.S. degrees) by the application deadline date.

Travel expenses for the interview and selection process will be borne by the candidates.

Appointment to the position is conditional upon the approval of the Chancellor.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employees must satisfy all pre-employment requirements to work for the District which include, but are not limited to, the following items:

REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES

Tuberculosis Examination: Prior to employment, the successful candidate will be required to submit evidence (either skin test or X-ray report) of being free of tuberculosis within the past sixty (60) days. The TB test is a condition of employment and any expense must be borne by the successful candidate.

Fingerprinting Requirement: As a condition of employment, all employees working for community colleges in the State of California are required to be fingerprinted within the first ten (10) working days of the date of employment pursuant to Education Code Section 88024.

Immigration Requirement: According to the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the Peralta Community College District is required to verify that all new employees are legally authorized to work in the United States.

All new employees are required to complete and sign a verification form and provide documentation attesting that he/she is legally authorized to work in the United States.

District Policy: A Social Security Card will be required following selection and prior to completion of the hiring process. The employment process cannot be completed without a copy of the Social Security Card on file in the Office of Human Resources.

Medical Examination: Under state regulations and as a condition of employment, certain positions may require a medical examination prior to employment. Expenses incurred will be borne by the employee.

EEO Statement

The Peralta Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The District is strongly committed to achieving staff diversity and the principles of equal employment opportunity. The District encourages a diverse pool of applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age religion, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or genetic information, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, veterans status, status with regards to public assistance, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law, in any of its policies, procedures or practices.

Reasonable Accommodations

In conformance with the Fair Employment and Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, requests for Reasonable Accommodations may be made to the Office of Human Resources by calling (510) 466-7283.

The Peralta Community College District reserves the right to close or not fill any advertised position.

Benefits Information

FRINGE BENEFITS

The Peralta Colleges proudly offers a competitive and comprehensive core of work-life benefits. The value of the employer contribution towards your benefits may increase your total compensation by as much as 47%. Benefit-eligible employees have access to coverage for themselves and eligible dependents:

• Medical, dental, vision, prescription drug insurance coverage*
• Life insurance of 150% of your income up to $100,000.
• Long-term disability coverage.
• Employee Assistance Program.

In addition to your own contribution, Peralta also contributes 26.81% of your salary to the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Effective January 1, 2013, the PEPRA (Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act) went into effect. Changes have been implemented as a result of the adoption of this legislation that impact new and existing employees enrolled in CalPERS. A summary of those changes is available at http://www.calpers.ca.gov/eip-docs/employer/program-services/summary-pension-act.pdf. For further up to date information on CalPERS retirement eligibility and PEPRA, please visit the website at www.calpers.com www.calpers.ca.gov/. The CalPERS member handbook is available at http://www.calpers.ca.gov/eip-docs/about/pubs/member/your-benefits-your-future-school-benefits.pdf., please visit the website at www.calpers.com. After 10 years of creditable service, medical benefits in retirement are extended until age 65.

Other voluntary benefits include:

• Flexible benefit plan participation in the Medical Reimbursement Plan, Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan (under tax code 125)
• Pre-tax commuting expenses (under IRS code 132)
• Tax-deferred plan participation in the 403(b) and 457 plans
• Credit union membership
• Prepaid legal plan participation
• Additional Life Insurance for yourself, spouse or children

* Kaiser and United Health Care Dental are fully paid by the District. Other plans require employee contribution. Subject to change.

Mission Statement

The Peralta Community College District is a collaborative of colleges advancing social and economic transformation for students and the community through quality education, rooted in equity, social justice, environmental sustainability, and partnerships.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. List of References
2. Resume
3. Transcripts

Optional Documents

1. Other Document
2. Cover Letter
3. Letter of Recommendation 1
4. Letter of Recommendation 2
5. Letter of Recommendation 3
6. Training/Certification Document