Early Childhood Education Consultant, Bureau of Childcare

Division/Program Summary Description:
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Division of Environmental Health works to prevent and control illness and injury related to environmental and occupational health risks through outreach, education, surveillance and enforcement. With a staff of 1,000, the Division covers a broad range of subject matter, including oversight of environmental investigations, lead poisoning, injury prevention, occupational health, food safety, childcare, radiation control, recreational and drinking water quality, air quality, climate health, vector control, veterinary public health and pest control.

The Bureau of Child Care ensures that childcare services in New York City operate in compliance with the New York City Health Code and New York State Social Service regulations and are licensed or permitted as required by law. The Bureau routinely monitors childcare programs to protect the health and safety of children while in the childcare environment, and actively works to improve and expand access to high quality programs which support early childhood development and learning.

Position Summary:
The Early Childhood Education Consultant will monitor and make recommendations to childcare programs throughout New York City to ensure that childcare services operate within regulatory compliance. Position requires travel throughout the five boroughs using mass transit or a personal vehicle and carry/use mobile inspection equipment weighing approximately 15 pounds.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:
- Evaluate and assess childcare programs (center-based, residential, school-based and after-school programs) to assure compliance with local, state and federal regulations and applicable performance standards;
- Provide consultation, guidance and technical assistance to prospective and current childcare providers and staff concerning educational programming, appropriate organization and classroom management techniques, and other best practices within the field;
- Serve as a resource person for the Bureau and providers on current trends and research in Early Childhood Education;
- Issue notices of violation and make recommendations for issuance or denial or childcare permits or licenses and/or closure of programs having imminent health hazards;
- Examines records and files of the childcare program, staff and children to ensure compliance with regulations.
- Investigate complaints about the operation of licensed childcare services and allegations of unlicensed childcare.
- Represent the Department at professional conferences and participate in professional development activities related to Early Childhood Education.

Preferred Skills:

- Professional Certification in Early Childhood Education.
- Strong communication, analytic, and observational skills.
- Ability to deduce potential impacts of conditions or assess risk.
- Writing skills including the ability to adequately describe observations in detail.
- Computer skills including the use of mobile computing devices.

Position requires travel throughout the five boroughs using mass transit or a personal vehicle and carry/use mobile inspection equipment weighing approximately 15 pounds.

Why you should work for us:
- Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:
o a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
o additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
o a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
o a tax-deferred savings program and
o a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.
- Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
- Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone, regardless of age, background, or location, can achieve their optimal health. We provide a wide array of programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and social justice initiatives. As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC, with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements, from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic, we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers!

The NYC Health Department is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation to all individuals. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Sye-Eun Ahn, Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, at [email protected] or 347-396-6549.

1. A masters degree in education from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by 12 semester hour graduate credits in early childhood or elementary education and three years of full-time satisfactory experience in one or a combination of the following:

(a) as the director or educational director of a licensed school or licensed program which is devoted largely to pre-school and/or kindergarten groups and which employs at least two licensed teachers of early childhood education;

(b) as the teacher director of a licensed school or licensed program which is devoted largely to pre-school and/or kindergarten groups and which employs at least one other licensed teacher of early childhood education;

(c) as a consultant in early childhood education who evaluates such programs and/or provides expert advice for such programs; or

(d) as a consultant in early childhood education who evaluates such programs and/or provides expert advice for such programs in a public agency; or

2. A baccalaureate degree in education from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by student teaching in early childhood education (pre-K to 2nd grade) in an acceptable licensed program in a licensed school and a masters degree from an accredited college or university, in education, social work, psychology, or counseling and three years of full-time satisfactory experience as described in “1” above.

Special Note:

Five years of satisfactory teaching experience as a licensed teacher of early childhood education may be substituted for the three years of full-time satisfactory experience as described in "1" above.

Requirements for Assignment Level II

To be considered for assignment to Assignment Level II candidates must have, in addition to meeting the "Qualification Requirements" above, one additional year of the
full-time satisfactory experience described above."

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.