Associate Director, Childcare Program

Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 42,500 - 57,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hiring bonus

PTO Frontload up to 24 hours

8 Paid Holidays

401(k) match

Medical plans with HSA/FSA

Dental and Vision plans

Employer paid life insurance

Career development opportunities

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota (LSS) is seeking an Associate Director to lead a child-centered program across three locations, ensuring safety and quality standards are met.

The role focuses on coordinating education components, communicating with families, and supporting staff development to promote holistic child growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in ECE or related field is required.
• Experience in early childhood education or childcare preferred.
• CPR and First Aid and Mandatory Reporting certifications required per SD regulations.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain a safe, structured educational environment across three locations.
• Ensure program activities align with agency policies and licensing requirements.
• Coordinate daily lesson plans, student awards, behavior management, family nights, field trips and other operations.
• Provide parent communication and be a point of contact for parents.
• Assist with staff training related to Education and Disabilities as needed.
• Assist with student recruitment and enrollment and ensure staffing meets program needs.
• Collaborate with billing to ensure accounts are in compliance.
• Support meetings, including quarterly staff and bi-weekly supervisor meetings.

Skills

Bilingual (English & Spanish)

CPR certification

First Aid certification

Mandatory Reporting knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in early childhood education (ECE) or related field

Job description

\"Are you passionate about promoting safety, stability, and connection for children and youth in South Dakota?\"

If so, this position might be a great fit for you! #YouareLSS

You Belong at Lutheran Social Services

Come join our child-centered, family-friendly environment. #You are LSS

LSS provides childcare at three separate locations, Southern Hills, Hilltop and Here4Youth (serves youth with special needs).

HOURS:

Full-Time, 40hours, Monday- Friday; 10:00am-6:00pm.

SALARY

$25 per hour / $50,000 annually, dependent on experience and qualifications.

BENEFITS: LSS is proud to offer a wide range of benefits to qualifying full-time employees. We support you with opportunities to help live balanced, healthy lives. Benefits are designed to meet needs of today and into the future.

• $600 hiring bonus* external candidates only
• PTO Time Frontload Up to 24 Hours for benefit-eligible employees
• 8 Paid Holidays
• 401(k) 3% match
• Four Wellmark BCBS medical plan options, with HSA & FSA options
• Dental and Vision plans
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family
• Career development opportunities, hands‑on training, and mentorship
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Associate Director has overall responsibility for carrying out the program and ensuring the safety and protection of children by completing all program requirements, meeting licensing standards, and maintaining accurate reports. The Associate Director supports the promotion of the social, physical, and intellectual development of children and works closely with the Program Director to ensure high‑quality program operations.

• Create and maintain a safe, structured educational environment at three locations.
• Ensure program philosophy and activities are consistent with agency policies, procedures and licensing accreditation.
• Coordinate program components such as daily lesson plans, student awards and behavior management, family nights, field trips and other operations.
• Provide parent communication and be a point‑of‑contact for parents.
• Assist to provide ongoing training related to Education and Disabilities for all programs, as needed.
• Assist with student recruitment and enrollment.
• Ensure staffing meets the needs of the program.
• Work in collaboration with billing to ensure all accounts are in compliance.
• Assist with meetings, including quarterly staff meetings and bi‑weekly supervisor meetings.
• Create and maintain a safe, healthy and organized working environment.
• Provide back‑up to staff as needed, including being in ratio as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education (ECE) or a related field, is required.
• Experience working in early childhood education, childcare, adult care, health care or a related field, is preferred.
• Ability to become CPR and First Aid and Mandatory Reporting Certifications required per SD regulations, is required.
• Bilingual language skills (English & Spanish) a plus but, is not required.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must have a valid auto‑insurance, a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain one for approved driver status., is required.
• Must successfully complete all agency background checks, which include checks for criminal convictions, behavior harmful towards children, spousal abuse, and drug or sex crimes, is required.

LSS Expectations & Core Values

Compassionate –We engage with empathy and provide non-judgmental services.
Appreciative –We recognize and develop the strengths of our clients and employees.
Respectful –We build professional and collaborative relationships with clients, partners, and colleagues.
Ethical –We uphold high standards of integrity and quality in all actions.
Strategic –We anticipate and respond proactively to community needs.

LSS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

Please note: As part of our hiring process and to meet accreditation requirements, applicants will be asked to complete a prescreen questionnaire.