Center Director - Temporary

NORTH COAST CHILDRENS SERVICES; California; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Northcoast Children’s Services is seeking a Center Director to manage the center-based program, lead classrooms, and ensure compliance with California licensing requirements. This non-exempt role focuses on family partnerships, positive child outcomes, and staff development.

Responsibilities include supervising teachers, coordinating conferences and case conferences, and maintaining documentation and program records in alignment with Head Start/Early Head Start policies.

Qualifications

• AA/AS in ECE/Child Development or related field varies by funding.
• BA/BS degree preferred for Head Start funded programs.
• Site Supervisor permit or equivalent required for state funded programs.
• Two years of experience with children under age 5 in group settings.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate principles of family support and partner with families to improve outcomes.
• Achieve positive child outcomes through classroom activities and effective curricula.
• Manage classroom safety, staffing, and learning environments.
• Oversee professional growth, training, and compliance with policies and licensing.
• Maintain records, post requirements, and ensure licensing standards are met.

Skills

Family engagement

Leadership

Communication with families

Staff coaching

Documentation

Education

AA/AS in ECE/Child Development

BA/BS preferred

Site Supervisor permit

Infant/toddler training units

Job description

The Center Director is responsible for the overall management of the center base program

and running of the classrooms at a licensed site. They are designated with California

Community Care Licensing as the Center Director on the Licensing 500 form and are

responsible for the duties of the Center Director as required by California Community Care

Licensing. This is a non-exempt position.

THE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

I. Demonstrate principles of family support*

• 1. Develop a trusting relationship with families of enrolled children and make them the senior partner in helping to improve the quality of life for the entire family.
• 2. In partnership with families, NCS staff, and involved agencies, make and follow up on referrals and coordinate logistics to insure good communication between family and all involved partners.
• 3. Plan and implement outreach to ensure full enrollment, strong community support and successful transitions for children and families.
• 4. Take a lead role in helping parents to: understand the development of their children; grow their parenting skills; ensure their child's safety; and become more involved in their child's education.
• 5. Conduct parenting education and teach parents to lead parent committee meetings.
• 6. Demonstrate appropriate response to children and families that have experienced physical & emotional abuse, neglect, violence, substance abuse, and mental health concerns and strive to provide resources that address those issues.
• 7. Regularly observe and assess children and families in relation to developmentally and culturally appropriate norms and standards. Communicate those observations and their indication of strengths and possible concern to families and make referrals to appropriate support staff.

* For Center Directors at sites with an assigned Family Worker, the above would be done in collaboration with the Family Worker.

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II. Achieve positive child outcomes through classroom activities

• 1. Provide appropriate materials & create, warm, safe and educationally challenging indoor and outdoor environments for children at all developmental levels.
• 2. Utilize all NCS required screening and assessment tools and performance standard guidance to address child health, nutrition, and development and provide effective follow-up on information gathered.
• 3. Implement the NCS chosen curriculum incorporating parent input to ensure individualized learning opportunities for all enrolled children based on ongoing observations, screenings, assessments, and parents’ desires. and physical development, and positive approaches to learning.
• 4. Create a classroom environment that fosters independence and trust through the use of familiar routines, transitions, and predictable responses to children's needs.
• 5. Provide positive child guidance and appropriate expectations and effectively respond to challenging behaviors of children.
• 6. Organize family conferences, participate in child study teams, case conferences, inter-agency conferences, and IEP/IFSP’s.
• 7. Write objective narrative notes, maintain adequate records, and submit timely, complete and readable documentation and required reports.

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III. Effective management of classroom

• 1. Predict unsafe situations and take precautions; provide child first aid; implement procedures that prevent the spread of infectious diseases; promote oral and physical health; and appropriately respond to emergencies/crises.
• 2. Effectively supervise, coach, support and train teachers, lead teachers, associate teachers, assistant teachers, special aides, volunteers, and cooks, if applicable.
• 3. Develop and implement effective classroom management systems through clear and direct communication that ensures optimal safety and effective learning for children, classroom volunteers and observing parents; an effective work environment for staff; and appropriate meal service practices.
• 4. Promote effective teamwork by supporting all members of the team. Model a positive non-judgmental attitude with clear and direct communication in working with staff, volunteers and families.
• 5. Appropriately address conflicts and differences between staff, parents, and children.

IV. Manage professional growth and development*

• 1. Promote high quality interpersonal communication between children, families, peers, support/management staff, and community services/schools and community helpers.
• 2. Work with your supervisor to identify your professional development goals based on NCS performance reviews, ongoing feedback and self-identified areas for growth.
• 3. Demonstrate appropriate professional role including: a) an understanding of boundaries, b) maintenance of confidentiality, c) working within allotted budget, d) timely notification to supervisor of absence from any work activity, and e) presenting acceptable behavior at all times.
• 4. Follow NCS Personnel Policies and other policies, applicable State and Federal regulations and standards, and NCS and Head Start and Early Head Start mission, goals, and plans.
• 5. Maintain all necessary certifications, including but not limited to child development permit, mandated reporter training and CPR/First Aid. Integrated pest management
• 6. Support all staff under your supervision in maintaining their professional development goals and necessary certifications.
• 7. Other duties as assigned.

In addition to the essential job functions listed above, the Center Director is also responsible for Ensuring licensing requirements are always met including, but not limited to:

• Maintaining current site personnel and child files and rosters
• Maintaining up to date postings as required
• Ensuring children are visually supervised
• Communicating site maintenance needs to the Facilities Supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 1. Qualifications vary depending on funding for the program
• For Head Start funded programs: AA/AS degree in ECE/Child Development or related field.BA/BS degree preferred.
• For State funded programs: Site Supervisor level permit on Child Development Matrix.
• For Early Head Start: Associate level permit or equivalence and 3 units in infant/toddler care or comparable training
• Note: For programs with dual funding, staff must meet requirements for
• 2. Minimum of two years of experience working with children under age 5 in a group setting.
• 3. Must possess knowledge of child development and be sensitive to the needs and characteristics of young children and families. Must have the ability to relate well to other staff members, parents and community members. Must be self directed and able to initiate parent and staff activities.
• 4. Must be able to read and write English effectively.
• 5. Be self-motivated, open, flexible, and willing to work cooperatively with staff to ensure positive outcomes.
• 6. Possess the ability to accept, reflect and act upon feedback. Facilitate and model respectful, professional communication and teamwork. Demonstrate a positive attitude. Promote Northcoast Children’s Services programs to children, families, co-workers and community.

Physical Requirements

• 1. Must successfully complete a health screening and provide proof of the absence of TB no later than 7 days following the date of hire.
• 2. Physical agility to lift and carry objects up to 25 pounds; and children up to 50 pounds for safety reasons.
• 3. Physical agility to bend, stoop, walk, reach overhead, push/pull, squat, twist, and turn.

Health and Safety Training Requirements

• 1. Must possess, or be willing to obtain within 30 days, a current pediatric first aid and pediatric CPR certificate.
• 2. Must provide documentation of 15 hours of Health and Safety training as prescribed by Community Care Licensing. Hours from current first aid and CPR certificate count toward this requirement.
• 3. Must have a current Criminal Record Clearance with current Child Abuse Index Check on file with Community Care Licensing, or provide fingerprints and a Child Abuse Index Check prior to the first day of work in order to obtain a Criminal Record Clearance from the Department of Justice.