Early Childhood Education Consultant, Bureau of Childcare

City of New York • New York, NY

1d

About The Position

The NYC Health Department’s Bureau of Child Care monitors child care programs throughout New York City to ensure that they comply with New York City Health Code and New York State Social Service regulations and are licensed or permitted as required by law. The Bureau works to protect children’s health and safety and to improve and expand access to high-quality programs that support early childhood development and learning.

The Early Childhood Education Consultant evaluates child care programs and advises providers and staff on compliance, educational programming, and best practices. The role includes reviewing program records, investigating complaints, recommending licensing or permit actions, and helping address imminent health hazards. The position requires travel throughout the five boroughs by mass transit or personal vehicle and use of mobile inspection equipment weighing approximately 15 pounds. Selected candidates will also travel to Albany for training and elsewhere in New York State for an annual regulators’ meeting; agency expenses are paid.

Requirements

• Meet one of the stated education and experience pathways: (1) a master’s degree in education, including or supplemented by 12 graduate semester credits in early childhood or elementary education, and three years of qualifying full-time satisfactory experience; or (2) a bachelor’s degree in education, including or supplemented by student teaching in early childhood education (pre-K to second grade) in an acceptable licensed program, a master’s degree in education, social work, psychology, or counseling, and three years of qualifying full-time satisfactory experience.
• Qualifying experience includes work as a director or educational director of a qualifying licensed preschool or kindergarten program employing at least two licensed early childhood education teachers; as a teacher director of such a program employing at least one other licensed early childhood education teacher; or as an early childhood education consultant evaluating programs or providing expert advice, including in a public agency.
• Five years of satisfactory teaching experience as a licensed early childhood education teacher may substitute for the required three years of qualifying experience.
• To be considered for Assignment Level II, meet the qualification requirements and have one additional year of the specified full-time satisfactory experience.
• Be eligible as a permanent employee, eligible for consideration under 55-a, or have successfully filed for Consultant (Early Childhood Education) Exam No. 5059 within its March 5–25, 2025 filing period or Exam No. 6124 within its June 3–23, 2026 filing period.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and assess center-based, residential, school-based, and after-school child care programs for compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and applicable performance standards.
• Provide consultation, guidance, and technical assistance to prospective and current child care providers and staff on educational programming, organization, classroom management, and other field best practices.
• Serve as a resource for the Bureau and providers on current early childhood education trends and research.
• Issue notices of violation and recommend issuance or denial of child care permits or licenses, or closure of programs with imminent health hazards.
• Examine child care program, staff, and children’s records and files to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Investigate complaints about licensed child care services and allegations of unlicensed child care.
• Represent the Department at professional conferences and participate in professional development activities related to early childhood education.
• Travel throughout the five boroughs using mass transit or a personal vehicle and carry and use mobile inspection equipment weighing approximately 15 pounds.
• Travel to Albany for training and elsewhere throughout New York State for an annual NYS Regulator’s meeting.

Benefits

• Premium-free health insurance plan, reported to save employees over $10,000 annually based on a 2024 assessment.
• Additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union or benefit fund.
• Public-sector defined-benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
• Tax-deferred savings program.
• Worksite Wellness Program.
• Depending on the position, the possibility of working from home up to two days per week.
• Agency-paid travel expenses for required training and the annual regulators’ meeting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level