PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Job Details

Job Location: EED Sycamore Street Center - Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Position Type: Regular

Salary Range: $51.28 - $64.12 per hour

Job Shift: 37.5 hours per week

Position Description

Under the general direction of the CEO, plans, organizes, directs and controls the early education centers in compliance with Federal and State regulations; ensures the programs meet the needs of preschool children; performs related work as required.

Duties & Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Development

• Directs long- and short-range planning and goal setting for all programs assigned to the Early Education Division.
• Strategizes and implements ongoing advocacy efforts on local and state levels to expand the scope of services as appropriate.
• Administrates all aspects of the Children’s Centers, ensuring compliance with Federal and State guidelines.
• Represents the Early Education Division in various current and potential funding sources.
• Assists in overall Agency program development, management and evaluation.

Financial & Budget Management

• In cooperation with the Grants Analyst, develops and monitors program budgets, taking action as appropriate.
• Develops enrollment and payment procedures; prepares and submits all reports required by Federal and State regulations in a timely manner.

Program Operations & Family Services

• Works with teachers to plan curriculum and implement learning programs.
• Ensures an environment that fosters healthy emotional, social, cognitive and physical growth at the Centers.
• Maintains safe and healthy conditions at the Centers.
• Oversees planning of menus for meals and snacks served at the Centers.
• Selects, assigns and evaluates teachers, aides and other support staff; recruits volunteers.
• Interviews families applying for childcare services; explains eligibility and fee requirements; ensures parental needs are met.
• Participates in parent conferences, works with community organizations and agencies to coordinate services for children at the Centers.
• Participates in statewide and local advocacy efforts in support of child care services; involves staff and participants as appropriate.
• Cooperates with Parents’ Advisory Committees; communicates effectively and respectfully with parents, volunteers and staff from diverse backgrounds.

Staff Management & Professional Development

• Selects, assigns and evaluates teachers, aides and other support staff; recruits volunteers.
• Maintains professional competence through in‑service education.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge

• Program development, organization, implementation and monitoring principles and practices, particularly for child care programs.
• Early childhood education methods and techniques.
• Child psychology, development and family life education.
• Child health and first aid.
• Budget monitoring, recordkeeping and report preparation.

Skill

• Program development, organization and implementation for child care programs.
• Selection, training and supervision of paid staff and volunteers.
• Teaching and supervising preschool children.
• Preparation of concise written and numerical reports.
• Budget development and monitoring.
• Reading and interpreting complex regulations and policies.
• Advocacy for child care programs.
• Cooperative work with staff, volunteers, parents and community representatives.

Licensing Requirements

• Must hold or qualify for, and maintain, a Child Development Program Director Permit issued by the CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
• The minimum requirements to obtain a Program Director Permit are:
• BA degree with 24 Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Child Development (CD) units, including core courses; plus 6 administration units and 2 adult supervision units.
• Teaching or Administrative Credential with 12 units of ECE, plus 3 units of supervised field experience in an ECE setting.
• Master’s degree in early childhood education.
• Must maintain an active permit, which requires completion of a minimum of 105 hours of professional growth every five years.

Other Requirements

• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred but not required.
• Must provide transcripts of college courses prior to beginning employment.
• Must be fingerprinted, complete a Child Abuse Index Check form, and be criminally cleared prior to beginning employment.
• Must provide proof of current immunization against influenza, pertussis and measles prior to beginning employment.
• Must undergo Health Screening and TB test within 7 days of employment.
• Must provide valid CPR certification and Pediatric First Aid training certificate or be willing to obtain both within 30 days of employment.
• Must sign a “Mandated Reporter” agreement, which mandates the employee to report suspected child abuse.
• Must complete Health, Safety and Nutrition training as required by California Community Care Licensing regulations.
• Must possess a valid California Driver’s License, be insured, be insurable under the agency’s insurance policy, and have use of a reliable motor vehicle.

Other Job Details

• The position is eligible for a $.40 per hour bilingual differential after passing a test administered by the HR department.
• This is an FLSA exempt position.
• Regular onsite attendance is required for this position.