Site Director, Early Childhood Center

Site Director

REPORTS TO: Senior Director, Chief Program Officer

SUMMARY

The Puerto Rican Action Board (PRAB) is a comprehensive human services organization in Middlesex County, New Jersey. We provide a comprehensive range of essential services for children, youth, families, and senior citizens. We deliver need-based assistance to low and moderate-income residents of Central New Jersey and serve as advocates for those seeking to live productive, self-sufficient lives.

The Site Director of Early Childhood Programs is a part of the Early Childhood Management Team and attends PRAB’s Management Team Meetings. S/he is knowledgeable of internal systems used for Early Childhood programs, developmentally appropriate Early Childhood practices and understands nonprofit industry practices and procedures. Reporting to the Senior Director of Early Childhood Programs, s/he provides leadership, direction, and management of PRAB’s Early Childhood Center under her supervision as well as guidance and direction in a collaborative manner with respect to the retention of a qualified workforce that meets internal and customer objectives. S/he works closely with the Senior Director of Early Childhood Programs to ensure that department plans are set according to long-term organizational goals, and all federal, state and city regulations. S/he ensures that all center activities are coordinated, integrated, data-driven, and well-executed with attention to detail.

The Site Director of Early Childhood Programs ensures a culture of ownership, innovation, and teamwork within the Early Childhood Team and between all departments of the organization. In addition, s/he actively supports and mentors center staff under her supervision in their personal and professional development. S/he is able to thrive in a fast-paced, complex, dynamic environment, and promotes entrepreneurism, creative problem-solving, and respect and compassion for staff members and the populations PRAB serves.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Administration 

• Oversee records of children’s starting dates, termination and vacations; completed by office manager.
• Develop record keeping and data retrieval systems essential to effective administration and to the operation of the programs.
• Administers agency Child Care programs to insure compliance with goals and objectives as per contract specifications.  Assists with all aspects of proposal writing and reporting.
• Responsible for monthly reports to appropriate funding sources and to the Executive Director.
• Conduct program evaluations
• Insure compliance with PRAB rules, regulations and procedures accordance with Employee Handbook.
• Follow NJ state requirement as per NJ Department of Children and Families, Office of Licensing, Chapter 122 Manual of Requirement for Child Care Centers.
• Conducts orientation of all staff and volunteers.
• Plan, schedule and conduct monthly staff meetings.
• Communicate and enforce agency values
• Enforce adherence to agency requirements, and advise higher management on needed actions
• Communicate changes in agency personnel policies and procedures, and ensure proper compliance

Supervision

• Supervise, and evaluate EC center staff and volunteers
• Establish and implement schedules and work assignments for EC center staff and volunteers
• Develop the personal and professional capacity of EC center staff members, including coaching, training mentoring, peer exchanges, and continuing education
• Provide technical assistance to staff members on EC Center organizational and operational systems and administration

Curriculum and Instruction  

• Follow NB BOE guidance on implementing Tools of the Mind Curriculum.  Ensure that all teachers have thorough understanding of curriculum implementation and expectations.  Develop, implement, and evaluate the school’s curriculum program.
• Assist teachers with formal parent-teacher conferences.
• Develop, implement, and execute an on-going program of group activities.
• Follows Center policy for the discipline and care of students in accordance with DCP&P guidelines. 

Personnel

• Arrange conferences with individual staff members who are having difficulties with other staff members who have personal problems related to the job.
• Schedule and supervise volunteers and workers referred by community agencies.
• Supervises and is responsible for the evaluations of personnel under her/his management and recommends for hiring and firing of all staff as per practices and procedures established by the organization.        
• Participate in employee hiring process
• Manage employee process on site, including staff orientation, work assignments and professional development, improvement plans, self-assessments / performance reviews, leave of absence      

Fiscal 

• Coordinate the purchase and maintain the inventory of supplies and equipment.
• Oversee E Child Care System implementation and ensure accurate reporting.

Safety and Security

• Insures appropriate and timely communication with Operations Department regarding issues with site cleaning, maintenance, upkeep, recycling, and equipment cleaning.
• Develop and annually update center’s Crisis Management Plan.

 Professionalism

• Act as a resource person for the Senior Director of Early Childhood and Youth Services and for the CEO.
• Represents the agency in after-hours meeting, workshop, and activities.
• Understand child development and Developmentally Appropriate Practice.
• Promote the PRAB philosophy and objectives.
• Engage in ongoing staff development to improve personal and professional skills.
• Support the professional growth and development of colleagues by sharing materials and information.
• Attend staff meetings, workshops and in-service training provided by PRAB, NBBOE or DOE.
• Meet accepted standards of professional behavior.
• Demonstrate consistent and reliable attendance and punctuality.
• Perform other duties as designated by the Senior Director of Early Childhood and Youth Services and / or the CEO.
• Ensure confidentiality of records and information, and discretion in information sharing, as per policies

Community Relations

• Advocate actively and prominently on behalf of PRAB and the community in policy-oriented forums
• Participate actively in external meetings and events of community groups, residents, government agencies, and private institutions to represent PRAB
• Develop and/or engage in partnerships and collaborations related to PRAB’s programs and operations
• Identify and share resources related to PRAB’s programs and operations with community groups, residents, and government agencies

General

• Conduct, attend, and participate in internal meetings to maintain and improve professional competence
• Work diplomatically to solve problems within the organization
• Maintain professional appearance and behavior
• Produce monthly, quarterly, and annual center reports
• Perform other duties as assigned by Senior Director of Early Childhood Programs and/or CEO

QUALIFICATIONS

• B.A., B.S., or M.A. in Child Development, Early Childhood Education or Child Care Administration preferred.
• P-3 Standard Certificate or Elementary Education Teacher Certificate preferred.
• Three years experience as full-time pre-school or elementary education preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Fully committed to PRAB’s vision, mission, and strategic goals and outcomes
• Excellent organizational, analytical, oral and written communications skills
• Follow NJ state requirement as per NJ Department of Children and Families, Office of Licensing, Chapter 122 Manual of Requirement for Child Care Centers.

• Follow Center policy for the discipline and care of students in accordance with the DCP&P and PRAB manual & procedures.
• Insure compliance with PRAB rules, regulations and procedures accordance with PRAB Employee Handbook.
• Knowledge of children’s physical, emotional and developmental patterns.
• Knowledge of general learning theories and curriculum development alternatives.
• Demonstrate professional skills in the areas of curriculum planning, in-service training, program goal setting, lesson plan, and establish procedures for evaluating the progress of individual children.
• Sensitivity for the individual and group needs of children and a joyful approach.
• Ability to supervise a staff of varying educational and experiential backgrounds.
• Evidence of emotional maturity and stability.
• Evidence of sufficient security and judgment to handle crisis situations.
• Ability to seek supervision and use it constructively.
• Ability to create an atmosphere of positive and appropriate discipline.
• Ability to communicate with parents effectively.
• Demonstrated involvement in community organizations or advocacy
• Ability to work collaboratively with a fast paced, highly interactive staff
• Proven ability in human resources and labor contracts
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team setting
• Proven ability to work well with diverse groups
• Proven ability to handle multiple tasks effectively under pressure
• Proven ability to meet strict deadlines within time constraints
• Computer literate with knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
• Bilingual English/Spanish recommended
• Demonstrated maturity, integrity, and sound judgment

Physical Demands and Working Environment

• Regularly stand, sit, and walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell
• Frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
• School staff will be working in a busy and occasionally noisy environment that is typical to the school environment

Compensation and Hours

• This is a full-time, exempt, salaried position
• Salary is based on an pre-established range and is commensurate with experience
• Includes some early evening and weekend work hours
• Benefits are generous, including paid employee health and dental insurance (some employee contribution required); voluntary vision and retirement plans are also available
• Paid time off includes sick, and personal days, and holidays

PRAB IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER