Lead Therapeutic Child Development Teacher Father Joe's Villages - 3.2 San Diego, CA Job Details Full-time $24.00 - $27.61 an hour 2 hours ago Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance Paid time off Employee assistance program Vision insurance Retirement plan Qualifications Relationship building (classroom management strategies) Team leadership Teacher mentoring for professional development Driver's License Classroom organization for children Classroom experience Working with families Teaching experience with young children Classroom Teaching Experience working with families with children Positive guidance disciplinary approach Full Job Description Help children feel safe. Help them grow. At Father Joe's Villages, we believe every child deserves a place where they feel safe, valued, understood, and capable of succeeding. Our Therapeutic Childcare Program provides that kind of place for children and families experiencing homelessness and housing instability. We are looking for a Lead Therapeutic Child Development Teacher who is passionate about helping make it happen. This is more than a classroom leadership position. It's an opportunity to be a steady, caring, and encouraging presence in a child's life during a time when consistency and connection can make an enormous difference. You'll spend your days teaching, nurturing, observing, encouraging, problem-solving, mentoring staff, partnering with families, and creating experiences that help children build confidence, resilience, social-emotional skills, and a sense of belonging. What You'll Do Provide leadership for the classroom, creating a warm, predictable, and developmentally appropriate learning environment. Recognize opportunities to understand challenging behavior and respond in ways that support learning and connection. Establish clear expectations, routines, and healthy boundaries that help children feel secure and successful. Mentor team members in effective classroom practices, child development, positive behavior support, and therapeutic approaches. Communicate with families about children's development, classroom experiences, strengths, and areas of need. Maintain accurate classroom records, observations, development documentation, and other required records. Contribute to program quality improvement efforts and help identify opportunities to strengthen classroom and child development practices. Who Thrives in This Role? You may be a great fit if you: Enjoy working with children and find meaning in helping them grow. Are warm and nurturing while also being confident, consistent, and able to set healthy boundaries. Stay calm and grounded when a child is dysregulated or having a difficult day. See challenging behavior as an opportunity to understand and teach Can balance compassion with structure, consistency, and accountability. Enjoy mentoring others and leading by example rather than simply giving directions. Are dependable, flexible, and willing to jump in wherever the team needs you. What You'll Bring Associate or Bachelor's degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Human Development, or a related field. Applicable ECE units that meet California licensing requirements may be considered. 4+ years of experience in a licensed early childhood education, preschool, or therapeutic childcare setting, including lead teacher or classroom leadership experience. Experience supporting children with developmental, behavioral, social-emotional, or trauma-related needs preferred. Strong knowledge of child development, trauma-informed care, positive behavior support, and developmentally appropriate practices. Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor staff while maintaining a warm, engaging, and well-organized classroom. Proven ability to build positive relationships with children and families. Current Pediatric CPR/First Aid certification, or ability to obtain. Valid California driver's license Why Father Joe's Villages? Because the work you do here matters. At Father Joe's Villages, you'll be part of a mission-driven team supporting children and families as they work toward greater stability and well-being. For a child experiencing homelessness or housing instability, a consistent and caring teacher can provide an important sense of safety, connection, and belonging. As a Lead Therapeutic Child Development Teacher, you'll have the opportunity to create that environment every day while helping children develop the skills and confidence they need to grow. Compensation & Benefits Pay for this position is based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity. The anticipated starting pay range is $24.00-$27.61 per hour. Father Joe's Villages offers a comprehensive benefits package, including: Medical, dental, and vision coverage Retirement plan options Paid time off Professional development opportunities Wellness programs Employee assistance resources to support overall well-being and work-life balance Conditions of Employment Employment is contingent upon successful completion of applicable pre- and post-employment requirements, which may include background checks, health screenings, license or certification verification, and other role-related requirements following a conditional offer of employment. Equal Employment Opportunity Father Joe's Villages is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.