Studio Special Programs Lead

Beginning the 2025-2026 Academic Year
Exempt 1.0 FTE
Reports to: Director and Assistant Director of Infant-Toddler Education Program

All UCDS employees are expected to embody the school’s mission to design a culture of inquiry essential to meaningful learning; cultivate reflective, collaborative, skillful thinkers who ignite positive change in their communities; and engage diverse perspectives in an ongoing effort to shape and share our innovative education model.

Overview

University Child Development School (UCDS) located in Seattle, Washington is an independent school serving 390+ Infant-Toddler, Early Elementary (Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten) and Elementary (1st through 5th grade) students. In addition, the UCDS education institution comprises the UCDS Graduate School of Education. UCDS uniquely serves to prepare teachers, educate children, and develop innovations in curriculum and teaching. UCDS’s unique design as a place where both teachers and children learn, where early-career teachers develop their practice, and where experienced teachers research and design curriculum, gives rise to its innovation. The Master of Education program is the evolution of UCDS’ deep history of developing and supporting exceptional educators.

Job Summary 

The Studio Special Programs Lead supports the Infant-Toddler Education Program (known as The Studio) and leads the Studio Extended Day Program (EDP), a supportive after-school and off-school-hours environment that provides Studio students with engaging social, creative, and recreational opportunities. Additionally, they help with all elements of learning and care, including summer programming, classroom management, coordinating and providing coverage, and supporting student well-being in the classroom. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Designs, implements and facilitates engaging social, creative and recreational opportunities and activities for the EDP program that are culturally sensitive, follow an anti-bias perspective, and meet children’s developmental needs. 
• In collaboration with all Studio faculty and staff: designs, implements and facilitates summer programming.
• Coordinates schedules and locations of the hourly staff for the afternoon program to maintain adequate coverage
• Practices thoughtful, respectful and successful classroom management techniques.
• Demonstrates enthusiasm and builds meaningful relationships with students.  
• Develops and maintains a dynamic EDP environment; keeping the classroom organized, clean, inspiring, and safe according to licensing regulations and health and safety procedures.  
• Collaborates with all Studio faculty and staff to create a cohesive day for students
• Assists in providing all necessary care for young children such as changing diapers, preparing bottles, feeding, changing clothes, helping with naps, etc. 
• Communicates with parents/guardians and families during beginning and end of day transitions as needed.

Classroom Coverage Duties

• In collaboration with classroom teachers, provides classroom coverage during parent/guardian conferences and team or individual planning times. 
• Assists and provides classroom support for any/all Studio classrooms and teams during lunch breaks, planned and unplanned absences, and as needed.
• Provides and/or plans for faculty/staff EDP during in-service days and monthly staff meetings as needed. 
• Generates and facilitates the end of school day routine when covering the classrooms during team plannings. 

Collaboration

• Supports and guides EDP hourly staff, with carrying out the daily afternoon routines, activities and tasks.
• Supports teaching teams in carrying out the daily classroom routines, activities and tasks.
• Proactively communicates with all Studio faculty and staff to ensure that all student and program needs are met.
• Proactively communicates with the lead teachers and with the director/assistant director when appropriate, keeping them informed of significant happenings in the classroom and in the program. 
• Communicates effectively (verbally and in writing) with others, including administrators, colleagues, staff, parents/guardians in order to maintain constructive and professional relationships.
• Liaises with Studio Director and Assistant Director to develop skills of hourly EDP staff and to coordinate coverage.

Reflective Practice

• Participates in annual goal setting and receives regular feedback, facilitated by the Infant-Toddler Education Program Director and Assistant Director. 
• Participates in continuing education opportunities, professional development, and professional learning opportunities at UCDS, the UCDS Institute, and in the larger community when not providing student coverage. 
• Contributes to weekly documentation of student experience and generates narrative and visual documentation for Journey Books and classroom spaces.

Program Requirements

• Carries out all policies according to The Studio educational philosophy, licensing regulations, The Studio Handbook, and The Studio Health and Safety Policies Handbook.
• Maintains Washington State Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF) Statewide Training and Resource System (STARS) hours. 
• Attends school related events and meetings outside of the scheduled school day, i.e. parent/guardian informational meetings, curriculum nights, community events, etc.
• Takes part in pre-service, in-service professional development, planning meetings and monthly staff meetings when not providing classroom coverage. 
• Builds and maintains meaningful relationships with all students, Studio teachers, staff, and hourly workers.
• Employs strong interpersonal skills including being patient and positive.
• Completes other projects as assigned by the Infant-Toddler Education Program Director or Assistant Director.
• Keeps personal information regarding children and their families confidential.

Education &/or Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent 
• Associates Degree Preferred
• At least one year of teaching experience or educational program leadership experience (coursework or a degree in early childhood education is preferred)
• Familiarity with the Reggio-Emilia philosophy is preferred

Qualifications

• Commitment to equity and inclusion practices
• Detail oriented with strong initiation and organizational skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Successful track record working with a wide range of people
• Collaborates and works effectively in teams with colleagues 
• Employs strong interpersonal skills, including being patient and positive
• STARS 30 Hours Basic Training (can be completed within the first 3 months of employment)
• Current CPR, First Aid, Child Abuse, Bloodborne Pathogens training, and negative TB certificates

Additional Requirements 

• Meet the school’s standard when completing all background screenings. 

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Hourly Studio EDP Staff 
• Studio Summer Program Camp Counselors 

Compensation & Benefits

Salary starts at $63,360, depending on degree/experience.

The school offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package to benefits-eligible employees subject to the discretion of the Head of School, which includes:

• Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account with employer contribution
• Flexible Spending Account
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with available employer matching
• Paid sick leave
• Employer-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Employer-paid Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program for employees and their dependents
• Wellness benefit is to be used on items or services that promote wellness
• Professional Development opportunities
• Free parking

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for this position, click the “apply now” button to submit a resume and cover letter.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

UCDS aspires to be a welcoming learning community with a deep commitment and appreciation for diversity in all forms. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are central values at UCDS. From our youngest to our oldest students, we strive to help them develop a worldview that identifies, understands, and values diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, and more. We weave opportunities for these meaningful conversations, experiences, and learning throughout students’ days. Over the past few years, UCDS has continued to refine our approach and review our DEIB programming to continue to improve the ways we support students, parents, and employees by bringing an equity lens to academic and operational systems across the school.

We encourage members of marginalized communities, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, as well as members of other underrepresented groups, to apply and potentially become a part of our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive educational environment.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

UCDS is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. We will provide reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job unless doing so would cause an undue hardship. Physical requirements and job duties listed in this posting are essential to the role. If you believe you need an accommodation to perform these functions, we encourage you to apply and discuss potential accommodations with our team. If you require accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact Dr. Lauryn Mascareñaz, Director of Organizational Development & Personnel, at laurynm@ucds.org. 

Notice of Nondiscrimination

UCDS strives to provide equal opportunity to all employees. The school’s policy is not to discriminate in employment based on race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, creed, age, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender, veteran or military status or any other status protected under applicable local, state or federal law. UCDS is committed to administering employment decisions, including hiring, promotions, compensation benefits, transfers, layoffs, return from layoffs, terminations, training, sabbaticals, tuition assistance, and other programs, without regard to an employee’s protected status.

All applicants for UCDS employment, both paid and volunteer positions, are subject to criminal background checks.