CCUSD, CHILD DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR JOB DESCRIPTION

The Director of the Child Development Center manages the operation of the Child Development Center and supervises the Preschool Programs and the School Age programs for the Office of Child Development. The Director establishes and maintains a balanced, approved operating budget, establishes and monitors fee collection, projects staffing needs, and maintains enrollment of children in the programs. The Director recruits, hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates staff, supervises serves as liaison for the advisory council, and serves as the director of record for licensing. The Director works with families and staff to create a “best practices” environment, ensures compliance with licensing regulations, monitors dietary requirements and safety standards, and maintains quality and a developmentally appropriate curriculum.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A Bachelor of Arts degree, a master’s degree in Child Development or a related field is preferred, with at least one of the degrees in Child Development. 

Credentials: Must possess a valid Child Development Director Permit through the California Department of education or the ability to obtain such permit.

Experience: Work experience, which includes supervision of staff and management of budgets in a child development center, is required. Experience working with children from preschool through elementary is preferred. Experience successfully managing a child development center in an academic environment is preferred.

Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required. Financial management skills and skills in word processing and spreadsheet applications are required. Must be able to obtain and maintain current Child CPR and First Aid certifications.  A record of inclusive conduct and evidence of multicultural skills in the workplace is preferred.

Other: Must be able to lift 50 pounds and possess physical mobility to bend, stoop, and crawl, and communicate sufficiently to interact with staff and children from preschool through K-5 in the daily activities of the Center.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Develops a competent and effective staff by recruiting and selecting qualified staff, supervising staff and students, providing orientation, training and monthly updates on center, department and district policies and operations, assigning areas of responsibility based on expertise and qualifications, evaluating work performance, and maintaining detailed records of all personnel-related issues.

2. Ensures continued operation of the Child Development Center by providing financial management of the Center including establishing an approved budget and fees, monitoring fee collection, keeping families apprised of account status (including dismissing children from the center whenever fee payments are in arrears), managing expenditures within budget constraints, and possibly seeking grant opportunities and collaborating on grant proposals.

3. Develops and maintains positive relations with members of the district community, families, partners in the greater community, and related public agencies by maintaining a quality child care center, coordinating an advisory council that represents the constituencies of the center, accurately communicating feedback from these constituencies to the department head in a timely manner, and communicating with Child Development Center parents on a monthly basis.    

4. Knowledge of guidelines for state and federal subsidized programs through the California Department of Education (CDE), assuring compliance with local, state and federal guidelines as set-forth by the CDE.  Responsible for licensing compliance as director of record for the Center, working with appropriate licensing and child care regulators, including compliance with the sanitation and the Child Care Reimbursement Program regulations, responding promptly to any changes needed, reporting the results of all evaluation visits to the department head immediately, and maintaining detailed records on all regulatory assessments and responses.

5. Provides specific leadership and management of the Preschool and School Age programs as needed.        

6. Attends regular department and program meetings as the representative of the Child Development Center.

7. Facilitates a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds. 

8. Maintains competency and professional development through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, and attendance to professional development courses and/or training courses.

9. Helps to assure the success of the Office of Child Development Programs by performing all other essential duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION
The Director of the Office Child Development Center is supervised by the Superintendent.

Professional Knowledge, Skill, and Technical Mastery
Knowledge of the principles, concepts, practices, methods and techniques of an administrative, managerial, or professional field, such as administration, child development or education, law.

Supervisory Responsibility
Supervision of (a) several work teams or work team leaders, (b) a rather large group of operative, administrative support, or paraprofessional employees, (c) a work group involving direction of skilled technical employees, (d) professionals in technical and skilled areas, and/or (e) subordinate supervisory personnel.

Interactions with Others
Ability to influence or motivate others, to obtain information, or to control situations and resolve problems. Interactions may be with individuals or groups of co-workers, students, or the general public.

Managerial Responsibility
Work involves the primary accountability for a smaller department, program, or process. Work activities involve managerial decisions that directly affect the efficiency, costs, reputation, and service quality of the department, program, or process.