Early Childhood Programs Director

Salary: $110,000 annually

Reports to: Executive Director, Dr. Amy Rowell                                             

Driver Status: COA vehicles, Personal vehicle

Direct Reports: Program Managers (EEC and Youth Development), EEC Program Administrator, STEM Coordinator, RW FRC Manager

Indirect Reports: Teachers, YD Coordinator and Group Leaders, RW Admins, Float

Based at: Riverwest Center (909 East Garfield, Milwaukee)

Summary

This position is responsible for the overall supervision and quality of service delivery for programs delivered under the Early Childhood Education License with DCF. This includes the Early Education Center and Youth Development programs. This position also provides administrative, management, and professional support and is responsible for maintaining State of Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) licensing, YoungStar, Early Head Start/Head Start (HS), and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation compliance.

It is a year-round, full-time position eligible for benefits.

Benefits include generous paid time off, health plans (medical, dental, vision), life insurance, Employee Assistance Program, 403(b) retirement plan, 11 paid holidays, and a great working environment.

Main Job Responsibilities

Leadership

• Demonstrate a leadership style focusing on communication, coaching, and support but is willing to provide correction appropriately as needed.
• Regularly meet with direct reports and follow performance development system.
• Provide feedback on observations; provide resources and support, and help teaching staff stay informed on program changes and updates.
• Ensure direct and indirect reports meet performance standards and continuing education requirements.
• Support Program Managers with hiring and employee relations/personnel issues.
• Identify areas of professional development needed and work with Program Managers to develop, schedule, and facilitate training.

• Role-model on-going professional learning and application in the classroom. Manage child behavior through positive reinforcement, redirection, and parent involvement.
• Be able to answer questions about policies and procedures.
• Communicate details, rationale, and plan of action of agency-wide decisions.

Program Management/Compliance

• Deliver high quality services that meet COA’s mission, philosophy, standards and goals so our programs and services are emotionally, socially, and physically safe for all participants and encompass COA’s family centered approach;
• Perform regular audits of paperwork, processes and procedures, etc.;
• Develop and maintain efficient systems for tracking and documentation;
• Enforce proper procedures and documentation regarding the food program;
• Ensure compliance with all aspects of Wisconsin Shares;

• HS: Ensure contract compliance, attend CCP meetings, report child transfers, implement Next Door policy changes, report incidents to DCF/ND within 24 hours;
• Manage process for program contractors

Relationships with Parents

• Represent the program to parents.
• Communicate with parents in a timely manner regarding positive activities, concerns, and incidents in a calm and professional manner.

Training

• Identify areas of professional development needed
• Work with Program Managers to develop, schedule and facilitate trainings for staff
• Facilitate at least two trainings per year each to EEC and YD

Finance

• Monitor budget on a monthly basis addressing any variances
• Attend quarterly budget review meetings
• Approve expenses and follow financial processes
• Audit WI Shares/HS program monthly with Program Administrator

• Use database system(s) to regularly audit data and pull reports

• Collaborate with Development on grant proposals and reporting and provide outcome reports

Partnership/Collaboration

• Collaborate with other COA departments
• Develop strategic alliances and collaborative partnerships with stakeholders.
• Member of the Senior Leadership and Program Leadership teams

Other

• Role model appropriate behavior at all times. This includes developing and maintaining appropriate professional relationships with youth, colleagues, parents, facilitators, community members, etc.
• Represent the program and the agency appropriately to stakeholders and the general public
• Attend professional development, staff meetings, and conferences, trainings (including weekends and Saturdays) to remain current in industry knowledge.
• Responsible for opening or closing of center.

• Last to be called to substitute in classroom.
• Assist with conducting parent tours and support with picture days, parent teacher conference and family engagement.

Qualifications

Education/Knowledge/Experience

• Must meet state licensing, YoungStar, EHS/HS, and NAEYC requirements
• Must be a Registry Level 14
• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education
• Highly preferred: experience with Head Start and NAEYC
• At least three years’ supervisory/management experience
• At least two years’ experience as an EEC teacher
• High proficiency in standard office software, especially Excel
• Proven knowledge of early childhood development
• Familiarity with data base management, ProCare and Teaching Strategies Gold experience a plus
• Experience working with urban youth and families

Skills/Personal Qualities/Attitude

• Embody COA Values with a passion for serving others
• Philosophical compatibility with COA mission and strength based child development methods
• Knowledgeable of outcome-based programming
• Strong early childhood management skills; familiarity with social emotional learning and trauma informed care
• Excellent organizational and administrative skills; extremely detail oriented
• Effective interpersonal skills to develop strong working relationships. Cultural competency. Respect for diversity of all types.
• Must be a self-starter, take initiative, and be able to work independently
• Must be a self-sufficient problem solver and decision maker

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions

The physical requirements are the ability to:

• Sit and stand for long periods of time
• Move quickly in order to safely evacuate children from the Center within certain time limits

The work environment is an active environment with urban youth and families in a variety of settings. This requires the ability to respond quickly to changing situations and be able to move around the COA site as needed. This position also requires evening and weekend work.

These characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

The above is intended to describe the general content and requirements of this job. It is not meant to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. In other words, other duties as assigned.