Early Childhood Center Assistant Director

Why this role matters: 

The Early Childhood Center Assistant Director (AD) has the educational qualifications, knowledge, and professional commitment necessary to promote children's learning and development and to support families' diverse needs and interests. The Assistant Director is responsible for collaboration with ECC staff, JCC staff, and the ECPC (parent committee) to support community building and engagement, education, and integration of the preschool community within the larger JCC. The Assistant Director will be a collaborative member of the senior leadership team of the ECC, which also includes the ECC Director, Developmental Support Coordinator, Pedagogista, and Office Manager.

The Bender Early Childhood Center is one of our core programs, and the Assistant Director is central to the functioning of the school. This is an exciting opportunity to work directly with our community and have a significant impact on the experience of our preschool staff and community.

Core Responsibilities: 

• Support and implement a progressive approach to Early Childhood education, especially an emergent, constructivist, and developmentally appropriate curriculum for the 0-5 year age group.
• Assist with day-to-day management of the ECC and serve as director-in-charge when the Director is unavailable.
• In collaboration with the ECC leadership team, create and implement robust staff engagement throughout the year, including with life-cycle and holiday opportunities.
• Assist the Director in program coordination and design, as well as administrative tasks to support annual registration and ongoing program development.
• Assist with the creation and upkeep of classroom and specialist schedules.
• Advocate for the rights and needs of the children in meetings and conversations with internal and outside groups and elected officials.
• In collaboration with the ECC administration, plan and execute ECC programs, including Staff Week, Back to School Night, Professional Days, etc.
• Work closely with Office Manager to make certain school is in compliance with Maryland State Licensing Standards, including upkeep of staff licensing files and staff recording of CEUs, and ensuring staff are aware of, and registered for required courses. 
• Tour prospective families.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as needed, required, or assigned.

Qualifications

You are:

• Innovative and grounded. You love trying new things and devising creative solutions to persistent problems. Most importantly, you know how to make it happen.
• Organized. You are able to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment and bring a high level of attention to detail to your work.
• Passionate about the work. You are motivated by the mission of the Bender JCC and you have a deep connection and desire for this work to exist in the world.
• Savvy and Intuitive. You are adept at communicating ideas to a range of stakeholders and you know that different settings often require different methods and tools.
• You believe that diversity is a strength. You account for the value of diversity in every aspect of your work and you understand the nuances of diversity that shape the experiences of students and families.
• Compassionate. You are able to relate to young children and adults, and you show empathy in your interactions with those around you.
• Collaborative, with strong interpersonal skills. You enjoy learning from and working closely with talented colleagues, both in and outside of the preschool. You are excited to be part of the success of the Bender Early Childhood Center and the whole organization.
• Open to feedback. You have a desire and willingness to learn and grow, using feedback from colleagues and administrators as an opportunity for professional development.
• Professional. You are patient and respectful to those around you.

You should have:

• At least 3 years of experience in a leadership role in a progressive Early Childhood program.
• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Early Childhood or related field.
• Knowledge of Jewish traditions and culture.
• Working knowledge of the growth and development of young children.
• Knowledge of all safety procedures and the ability to respond to any situation in a calm and deliberate manner.
• Ability to meet the physical requirements of the job as outlined in the Bender JCC Preschool Staff Handbook.
• Ability to meet required background check & health requirements.
• Knowledge of all safety procedures and the ability to respond to any situation in a calm and deliberate manner.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite.
• First Aid, CPR AED, and Medication Administration certifications.

About the Bender JCC:

The Bender Jewish Community Center in Rockville, Maryland is a premier community center at the heart of Jewish life in Montgomery County, operating a full-scale health and fitness center, pre-school, day camp and variety of education and arts programs.

We create a welcoming and inclusive environment, connecting the people of our Jewish community with each other, Israel, and the broader community. We inspire individuals of all ages and backgrounds to enhance their social, physical, intellectual, and spiritual well-being through programs of excellence rooted in Jewish values.

The Bender JCC embraces and welcomes the diversity of our community and encourages everyone to seek meaning and fulfillment by participating in our rich programming inspired by our Jewish heritage. We open our doors to everyone, including people of all backgrounds, religions, abilities and sexual orientations, and interfaith couples and families.

Our core values are

• Welcoming and inclusive(Hachnassat Orchim) - We open our doors to everyone and strive to create an inclusive and accommodating environment for people of different backgrounds, abilities and means.
• Respect(Kavod) - We seek to create a town square where our community can be exposed to diverse viewpoints and grapple with difficult issues in a respectful and civil manner.
• Jewish Peoplehood(Klal Yisrael) - We create connections to the people, history, culture, and land of Israel and with the Jewish people as a whole, welcoming all Jewish traditions and backgrounds.
• Community(Kehilla) - We facilitate relationship building and a sense of belonging to create communities across all stages of life.
• Working together(B'yachad) - We partner and collaborate with Jewish and secular organizations to build a stronger community. 
• Wellness(Shmirat HaNefesh v'HaGuf) - We promote the well-being and fitness of every person.
• Spirit(Ruach) - We infuse spirit and fun into our activities and programs.

Compensation & Benefits

This is a full-time exempt position, and the salary range for this position is $65,000-$75,00. The Bender JCC provides a benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision benefits, and a flexible working environment. You'll also receive a full family membership to the Bender JCC, including complete access to the entire fitness facility and pools, plus staff discounts on programs and services.

Additional Information

Research shows that women and underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they feel that they meet 100% of the qualifications. If this role sounds interesting to you, we encourage you to apply! The Bender JCC is committed to building a diverse team that draws on the strengths of people with a variety of identities, backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.

Please submit a resume and cover letter with your application.