Preschool Director Jobs in Florida

INTRODUCTION

A Preschool Teacher instructs children, normally up to 5 years of age, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth needed for primary school. This position also plans and develops classroom materials and activities for preschool children and meets with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and needs for learning development.

This position typically reports to the Director of the Department of Preschool For Creative Learning, or other appropriate administrator. This is a professional instructional position supporting an academic department, college, or office on a USF campus. This position requires considerable contact with children, parents, and other staff members to attain common goals. This position exercises active listening, instructing, reading comprehension, learning strategies, writing, social perceptiveness, time management, monitoring, and critical thinking skills.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

- Organize and lead classroom activities designed to promote physical and social development of preschool children, such as games, arts and crafts, music, storytelling, and field trips.
- Teach basic skills such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, and social skills.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior, and procedures for maintaining order.
- Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate and use, both in learning activities and imaginative play.
- Observe and evaluate children's performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Supervise, evaluate, and plan assignments for teaching assistants.
- Provide disabled students with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities such as restrooms.
- Perform other assigned duties such as assistance in special events, fundraising, and participation in professional conferences.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

This position requires a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or equivalent and one year of experience with childcare and/or customer service.

Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Senate Bill 1310 - The Florida Senate is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
- SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
- A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
- (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
- (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
- (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
- (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
- (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree.
- Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
- Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.

WORKING AT USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

ABOUT USF

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference.

COMPLIANCE AND FEDERAL NOTICES

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.