Assistant Director

Growing Tree School; North Plainfield (NJ); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedule

Paid time off

Training & development

Job summary

Growing Tree School is seeking a Part-time Assistant Director for our North Plainfield preschool program. The role supports the Director in operations, licensing compliance, family engagement, and program coordination while supervising staff and ensuring smooth daily operations.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, tech-savvy, and capable of managing multi-task priorities. Expected schedule is five hours per day, Monday through Friday, with one 8-hour day monthly and a 30-minute lunch break.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Early Childhood Education, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• Experience in preschool administration or leadership role preferred.
• Substitute Certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate school operations with the Director and Office Assistant.
• Support staff supervision, onboarding, scheduling, and training.
• Maintain licensing, health, and safety compliance records.
• Engage families and manage communications across channels.
• Plan events and programs and oversee Extended Care.

Skills

Leadership

Organization

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Education / Early Childhood Education / Business Administration

Tools

Google Workspace

ClassDojo

Genesis

Canva

Job description

Benefits

• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off
• Training & development

Reports To: School Director

Position Type: Part-time, 10-month (aligned with North Plainfield Preschool Program Calendar)

The Assistant Director supports the Director in the leadership, administration, and daily operation of the preschool program. This position assists with staff supervision, licensing compliance, family communication, enrollment management, and program coordination. The Assistant Director serves as the Director's designee when appropriate and helps ensure that school operations, educational services, and family engagement activities align with state licensing requirements and the North Plainfield School District provider contract.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, professional, and proficient with technology, including Google Workspace, online databases, and educational software systems. Expected schedule: 5 hours per day, Monday through Friday. One 8-hour workday per month with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break.

Leadership & Program Administration

• Work collaboratively with the Director and Office Assistant to coordinate school operations and communication.
• Assist the Director in implementing school policies, procedures, and operational systems.
• Support staff supervision, onboarding, training, scheduling, and performance improvement efforts.
• Serve as Director designee when assigned and assist with maintaining continuity of operations during the Director's absence.
• Help resolve classroom, family, and school-related concerns professionally and confidentially.

Compliance & Record Management

• Coordinate and maintain licensing, fire, health, building, and business compliance records.
• Assist with preparation for licensing inspections, district monitoring visits, and audits.
• Maintain accurate student and employee records in accordance with state, district, and privacy requirements.
• Monitor compliance with attendance procedures, emergency preparedness plans, and health and safety regulations.

Family & Community Relations

• Support family engagement initiatives and communication efforts.
• Manage school communications and publications, including website, social media, newsletters, family correspondence, forms, and informational materials, by coordinating and delegating tasks to the Office Assistant while ensuring accuracy and timely completion.
• Assist with enrollment, orientation, and family onboarding processes.
• Serve as a professional representative of the school to families, district personnel, and community partners.

Program Operations

• Manage logistics and advance planning of the school calendar, events, and program activities.
• Oversee administrative aspects of the Extended Care and Summer Programs.
• Monitor enrollment records, registration documents, and required program paperwork.
• Assist with schoolwide events, family nights, and special programs.
• Provide occasional classroom coverage when necessary to maintain safe staffing ratios.

  Qualifications

  Education:
  Bachelor's degree in Education, Early Childhood Education, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.

  Experience:
  Experience in preschool administration, school operations, early childhood education, or a related leadership role preferred.

  Substitute Certification preferred.

  Knowledge & Skills

  • Knowledge of NJ preschool licensing requirements and compliance standards or an ability to learn and apply them.
  • Strong leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills
  • Excellent written and verbal communication
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage multiple priorities
  • Proficiency with Google Workspace, ClassDojo, Genesis, Canva, and related technology platforms
  • Ability to work collaboratively with staff, families, district personnel, and community partners

  Must pass NJ fingerprinting, background checks, and all required health and safety clearances.