Center Director

Easterseals Southern California; Ontario (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Easterseals Southern California is seeking a visionary leader to oversee child development services, guiding a team of educators to deliver high-quality instruction in indoor and outdoor settings and to prepare children for kindergarten.

You will supervise staff, support families, ensure licensing compliance, manage budgets and enrollment initiatives, and build community partnerships while advancing continuous quality improvement and ensuring a safe, engaging learning environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood or related field.
• Possession of a Site Supervisor permit.
• Minimum of 3 Infant Toddler units.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of educators delivering high-quality instruction for kindergarten readiness.
• Motivate staff and provide training, tools and performance feedback.
• Engage families and provide access to center resources and events.
• Drive continuous quality improvement through data analysis and planning.
• Provide documentation for licensing and education standards within required timelines.
• Update staff on policy, safety, and emergency procedures.
• Represent Easterseals Southern California in the community and build partnerships.
• Assist with budget planning, enrollment efforts, and contract commitments.
• Ensure facilities meet licensing requirements and safety standards.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Conflict resolution

Time management

Team motivation

Interpersonal skills

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood or related field

Site Supervisor permit

Infant Toddler units

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Easterseals Southern California transforms lives every day. For over a century, Easterseals has championed inclusion and independence—delivering essential services like early childhood programs, autism services, employment and independent living support to more than 29,000 people each year. Through advocacy and education, we break barriers and create opportunities for the one-in-four Americans with disabilities.

Starting Pay Range:
75k - 95k/yr DOE

OVERVIEW OF POSITION:

Provides a unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children, families and communities by providing high-quality child development services. Plays a leadership role in providing services that support children in developing the cognitive, social and emotional skills they need in order to be successful when they transition to kindergarten. Oversees services that support families in accessing the resources they need to help their child develop and thrive.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION:

• Lead a team of educators as they deliver innovative, high-quality instruction in indoor and outdoor environments with the goal of having all children ready for their transition to kindergarten.
• Provide all staff with the motivation to exceed regulatory standards and provide recognition for their accomplishments. Assure teachers and staff have the training, tools and support to do their jobs well and have a strong sense of job satisfaction. Support their continued growth and development through observation, hands on coaching and performance feedback.
• Assure families have the opportunity for engagement and easy access to all center resources including but not limited to family events, surveys, Parent Advisory meetings and family gatherings.
• Lead an expansion of a “continuous quality Improvement culture”; building on compliance and data analysis as tools for understanding what is working and where we may need to focus on improvements. Review and interpret relevant data to assess program outcomes, completion of contract requirements and to drive strategic planning for the center and associated programs.
• Provide written documentation pertaining to required compliance by Community Care licensing, Head Start Performance Standards and California Department of Education within required timelines.
• Provide ongoing updates and training for all staff in relevant policy and procedures, safety standards and program emergency and health issues.
• Be the face of the ESSC child development services in the community; building relationships that foster partnerships and position Easterseals as a leader of child development services and the center of choice in the community.
• Participate as appropriate in the development of refunding applications; integrate strategic planning initiatives into budget requests as a participant in the ESSC annual budget process. Develop creative recruitment activities to drive enrollment and assure contract commitments are realized
• Assure facilities are high quality, exceedingly safe and provide an engaging environment for children indoors and outdoors; all environments meet Community Care Licensing requirements and are consistently maintained to assure continued demonstration of licensing requirements.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood or related field.
• Possession of a Site Supervisor permit
• Minimum of 3 Infant Toddler units

EXPERIENCE:

• 2+ years’ experience in supervising staff in a licensed childcare center or comparable group childcare program.
• 1 experience working with a State or Federal program
• Demonstrated experience in supervision of staff, fiscal management and administration.
• Experience working in a Title 22 center

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Understanding of cultural impact on families and staff
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated leadership skills including the ability to motivate staff and develop a positive work environment for all staff
• Ability to problem solve unanticipated problems and crises
• Demonstrated conflict resolution skills
• Establish and maintain and meet all timelines relative to multiple reporting requirements
• Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office applications (e.g. Outlook, Excel, Skype).
• Ability to communicate effectively, through verbal and written skills, and work cooperatively with a variety of individuals and groups. Must relate well to children and their families. Must maintain positive affect.
• Ability to pass a post-offer physical examination and a TB test.
• Ability to provide any/all current immunizations as required by the State of California for child development centers and staff.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a criminal record/fingerprint clearance from the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation per Easterseals Southern California and/or program requirements. Must have sex offender index clearance.
• Ability to travel locally, maintain driving record in compliance with Transportation Safety Standards, maintain proper auto insurance and vehicle registration.

Carrying/Lifting: Occasional / Up to 40 lbs.
Standing: Occasional / Up to 3 hours per day.
Sitting: Constant / Up to 8 hours per day.
Walking: Occasional / Up to 3 hours per day.
Repetitive Motion/Activity: Keyboard activity, telephone use, writing.
Visual Acuity: Ability to view computer monitor and read newsprint.
Travel: This position requires up to10% local travel.
Environmental Exposure: None.