Site Mentors - Early Childhood Education

UC Merced Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) offers access to the university's academic courses through Open University and provides professional courses in a variety of industry fields (education, business, technology, renewable energy, healthcare, etc.). UC Merced PACE partners with regional community initiatives and organizations to boost economic and social development with a focus on delivering courses in convenient and flexible formats, including fully online, hybrid, in-person, and custom modalities.

UC Merced PACE offers workforce-responsive, non-degree credentials and credential pathways that provide opportunities to upskill and re-skill. We can develop and deliver skills-based, alternative credential programs that align with employer needs and high demand jobs. Alternative credentials are non-degree, professional credit, certificate, stackable, micro-credentials, bootcamps, etc.

ABOUT THE SPECIALIZED TRAINING AWARD

In Spring 2026, UC Merced PACE, in close collaboration with County Offices of Education across the state of CA, implemented the Fieldwork for Child Development Associate Teacher Equivalency Specialized Training Award, encompassing a single, non-credit course totaling 540 hours of fieldwork.

Recent federal legislation impacting Head Start Family Childcare Home (FCCH) providers requires FCCH Assistants, as of 8/1/2025, to, within 18 months, meet the same staff qualifications as FCCH Providers. The current pathway for doing so is a CDA or higher level qualification, and, in California (at least), the Associate Teacher Permit on the Child Development Permit Matrix authorized by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (not sure what other states might have as their equivalency since this email might be shared with out-of-state grantees with FCCH service delivery models).

There are an estimated 40-60 FCCH assistants in the region, of which many have no intent in returning to college to complete the required units towards a CDA or Associate Teacher Permit. It is observed that a CDA or an Associate Teacher Permit may be time/cost-prohibitive for some FCCH Providers and their Assistants. With further policy clarification on June 4, 2025, it was determined that local equivalencies can also be developed in order to meet the federal requirement. Therefore, local education agencies, including leadership at Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE), desire to create a certificate equivalent to a Family Child Care Child Development Associate (FCC CDA), to meet the Head Start Performance Standards 1302.23(b)(2-4) for Family Child Care Home providers and their assistants.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

* Provide a minimum of two formal observations per course for each assigned FCCH assistant in-person at the employer site.

* Conduct weekly communication with FCC assistants and course instructor (via email, phone, Zoom, or in person).

* Maintain consistent communication with cooperating teachers and site administrators, promoting a shared understanding of course expectations.

* Attend mandatory orientation, mentor trainings, and calibration meetings as scheduled by the Director.

* Submit timely reports and documentation as required by the Division.

* Collaborate with UC Merced PACE staff and instructors to address candidate needs, remediation, or concerns.

Program: https://pace.ucmerced.edu/

• Valid CTC Site Supervisor permit or higher
• Knowledge of regulations and licensing for Head Start
• Ability to coach and mentor individuals
• Familiarity working with diverse student populations

• Must comply with the UC SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Policy

• Willingness to travel within a 50-mile radius of Merced

• Experience supervising or mentoring pre-service teachers.
• Training in adult learning theory, cognitive coaching, and current content-specific pedagogy.
• Comfort with digital observation tools and feedback system
• Demonstrated experience working with Canvas LMS.

• 3 required (contact information only)

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.

Please complete, sign, and upload the required Authorization of Information Release to your application: Required Authorization of Information Release Form.

Candidates must possess valid authorization to work in the United States. UC Merced is not currently able to sponsor individuals residing outside the United States who would require a new H-1B visa for employment. Applicants who do not hold valid U.S. work authorization are presently ineligible for this position.

Additional links: UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy, the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy, and APM 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment.

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses. Ranked as one of the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and recently designated as an R1 institution by Carnegie, UC Merced is committed to innovation and excellence in research. With over 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students (Center of Institutional Effectiveness), UC Merced provides outstanding, inclusive educational opportunities to highly qualified students from the heart of California, the nation, and abroad. The campus has special connections to nearby Yosemite National Park; is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design; and supports the economic development of Central California.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements. This includes the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs.