Consultant (Early Childhood Education) Guide
Consultants (Early Childhood Education), under general direction, evaluate infant/toddler programs, child care facilities, and programs for pre-school children. They ensure standard educational frameworks, sanitary conditions, and licensing/staffing compliance across NYC child oversight operations.
SALARY RANGE
$77,211 minimum per annum (Subject to change; features two assignment levels starting at Level I)
DIPLOMA LEVEL
High School / Degree
OPEN WINDOW
Filing Scheds
Key Job Duties
What you will act and execute daily upon appointment:
- Evaluate infant, toddler, child care, and pre-school programs to ensure they meet municipal early childhood guidelines, safety measures, and child development outcomes.
- Conduct regular physical inspections of child care facilities, classrooms, and outdoor play areas to verify compliance with structural and fire prevention standards.
- Review organizational files, teacher registrations, and licenses to guarantee that programs have appropriate staffing ratios and employ qualified educators.
- Provide technical advice, developmental strategies, and professional leadership seminars to early childhood program directors and teacher-directors.
- Prepare detailed facility logs, progress evaluations, and administrative recommendations for agency review.
Filing & Appointment Eligibility
Candidates must fulfill these rules BEFORE certification:
- Pathway 1: A Master's degree from an accredited institution including or supplemented by 12 semester hour graduate credits in early childhood or elementary education, PLUS three (3) years of full-time satisfactory experience (as a director, education director, teacher-director, or early childhood consultant in a licensed program employing other licensed teachers); OR
- Pathway 2: A Baccalaureate degree in education from an accredited institution, including student teaching in early childhood education (pre-K to 2nd grade) in an acceptable program, PLUS a Master's degree in education, social work, psychology, or counseling, PLUS three (3) years of full-time satisfactory experience as described in Pathway 1.
- Teacher Substitution: Five (5) years of full-time satisfactory teaching experience as a licensed teacher of early childhood education may be substituted for the three years of full-time satisfactory experience requirements.
- City Residency: Appointees may be subject to New York City Administrative Code Section 12-120 (may require residency within 90 days of official appointment).
- English Requirement: Candidates must be able to understand and be understood in the English language.
Computerized Examination Pattern
Education and Experience Exam (EEE) questionnaire completed online via OASys. Candidates are awarded a baseline score of 70 points for meeting the minimum qualifying requirements, with up to 30 additional points (maximum 100 points) based on advanced satisfactory full-time experience. Points scale with experience duration (1 to 5+ years) and role: up to 30 points for educational directors, up to 25 points for teacher-directors, up to 20 points for consultants, and up to 15 points for licensed classroom teachers.
Official Exam Syllabus & Cognitive Skill Focus
Knowledge areas, trade competencies, and cognitive abilities evaluated by DCAS:
Childhood Program Assessment
Evaluating instructional methods, age-appropriate learning curriculum, and student safety setups inside licensed pre-school centers.
Staffing Rules & Ratios
Verifying facility compliance regarding mandatory staffing densities, certifications, and classroom assignment of licensed childhood education teachers.
Instructional Leadership
Supporting and advising center directors, mentoring junior teachers, and coordinating professional development programs.
Child Safety Regulations
Comprehending state guidelines, local physical health specifications, sanitary protocols, and municipal youth safety measures.
Physical Demands & Environmental Conditions
Physical activities performed and environments experienced in this role:
- Walking to and from diverse nursery, preschool, and child care facilities distributed across NYC neighborhoods.
- Climbing and descending flight stairs inside multistory facility layouts during site evaluations.
- Lifting portable assessment packages, educational files, and equipment weighing up to 15 pounds.
Special Working Conditions
Operational environments and agency-specific criteria:
- Shift Adaptability: Appointees may be required to handle various shifts including evenings, Saturdays, Sundays, and major civil holidays.
- Outdoor Exposure: Regular travel throughout the city, occasionally walking or conducting inspections outdoors in all weather conditions.
- Medical Clearances: Candidates must pass mandatory medical exams to verify they can perform the essential functions of the job.
Filing and Application Fee Process
Applications must be filed online through the OASys portal (www.nyc.gov/examsforjobs). The application fee is $88.00 (plus a 2.0% service fee for credit/debit card payments). Full fee waivers are open to qualifying veterans, unemployed individuals, or recipients of public assistance, SSI, or Medicaid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Important Timelines
Filing Period runs from June 3, 2026, to June 23, 2026. Experience criteria must be met by June 23, 2026. Education criteria must be met by June 23, 2027. EEE questionnaires must be submitted by June 23, 2026.
Recommended Practice Modules
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