Curriculum & Operations Manager

Miamiokchamber; Miami (OK); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

The Curriculum & Operations Manager at the Quapaw Nation oversees curriculum development, regulatory compliance, program operations, staff training, and budget oversight for the O-Gah-Pah Learning Center and Downstream Learning Center. This role ensures adherence to licensing standards while supporting developmentally appropriate programs for children from six weeks to twelve years.

Collaborating with staff, families, and tribal partners, the manager promotes a safe, culturally responsive

Qualifications

• Knowledge of child development and age-appropriate activities.
• Strong documentation, recordkeeping, and confidentiality practices.
• Experience budgeting, invoices, and financial oversight.
• Ability to obtain favorable adjudication certification within 90 days (if required).
• Experience with licensing, DHS/CCDF, and accreditation standards preferred.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with tribal, local, state, and federal regulations and internal policies.
• Develop, implement, monitor, and update program policies and standards.
• Maintain confidential program records, including child files and staff certifications.
• Maintain financial records and track expenditures, invoices, and reimbursements.
• Conduct compliance audits, inspections, and emergency preparedness activities.
• Prepare reports and regulatory filings for various agencies.
• Research, develop, and evaluate curriculum materials aligned with Early Learning Guidelines.
• Collaborate with staffing to ensure curriculum implementation and age-appropriate activities.
• Recommend and assist with the acquisition of educational materials and supplies.
• Coordinate staff training, orientations, certifications, and professional development.
• Foster professional relationships with families, staff, and tribal partners.
• Support budget management, resources, and procurement.
• Participate in events and maintain documentation of training and certifications.

Skills

Child development knowledge

Excellent communication

Organizational skills

Budgeting experience

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree in Early Childhood Education or related field

Job description

The Curriculum & Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing curriculum development, regulatory compliance, program operations, staff training, reporting, budget oversight, and quality improvement initiatives for the O-Gah-Pah Learning Center and Downstream Learning Center. This position ensures compliance with all applicable regulations while supporting developmentally appropriate educational programs for children ages six weeks through twelve years. Working collaboratively with staff, families, and community partners, the Curriculum & Operations Manager promotes a safe, nurturing, and culturally responsive learning environment and supports the mission of both learning centers.

Essential Job Functions:

• Ensure compliance with all applicable tribal, local, state, federal, licensing, accreditation, DHS/CCDF, health and safety regulations, as well as organizational policies and procedures.
• Develop, implement, monitor, and update program policies, procedures, and standards to maintain a safe, compliant, and high-quality childcare environment.
• Maintain accurate and confidential program records, including children's files, staff certifications, training documentation, attendance records, compliance reports, and other required documentation in accordance with applicable regulations and organizational policies.
• Maintain accurate financial records, including expenditures, receipts, invoices, purchase documentation, reimbursement requests, and other fiscal records in accordance with organizational policies, funding requirements, and audit standards.
• Conduct compliance audits, inspections, risk assessments, program evaluations, and emergency preparedness activities, including the development and coordination of emergency procedures and drills.
• Prepare, maintain, and submit required reports, incident documentation, regulatory filings, claims, parent documentation, and other records required by the Director of Childcare, tribal contracts, the Department of Health and Human Services, and other regulatory agencies.
• Research, develop, implement, and evaluate curriculum materials, lesson plans, and educational resources that align with Early Learning Guidelines and support the developmental needs of children in the areas of cognitive, social, emotional, language, self-help, and physical development.
• Collaborate with the Director of Childcare and teaching staff to ensure curriculum implementation, age-appropriate classroom activities, lesson planning, portfolio development, and culturally relevant learning experiences.
• Recommend and assist with the acquisition of educational materials, equipment, supplies, and resources necessary to support curriculum goals and program operations.
• Monitor program effectiveness and recommend improvements to strengthen educational outcomes, operational efficiency, and compliance standards.
• Coordinate, provide, and monitor staff training, supervision, orientations, certifications, professional development, and compliance-related requirements, including health and safety protocols, emergency preparedness, and regulatory standards, to ensure employees meet all required standards and timelines.
• Observe staff performance; provide coaching, guidance, and recommendations; identify training needs; and communicate concerns and performance-related observations to the Director of Childcare.
• Foster positive and professional relationships with children, families, staff, community partners, and tribal entities through effective communication and collaboration.
• Ensure families are informed of applicable policies, procedures, compliance requirements, program updates, and changes affecting their children, and collaborate with staff to coordinate parent-teacher conferences and family engagement activities.
• Support the Director of Childcare and teaching staff in maintaining safe, organized, developmentally appropriate classrooms and learning environments.
• Participate in staff meetings, conferences, professional development activities, and required training programs, maintaining documentation of completed training and certifications.
• Assist with and participate in program events and activities, including but not limited to Children's Powwow, Children's Halloween Party, Thanksgiving Banquet, Parent-Teacher Conferences, field trips, and other special events.
• Become familiar with all aspects of the program budget and assist in the efficient management of resources, including payroll, educational materials and supplies, food service, janitorial supplies, transportation, and vehicle needs.
• Monitor resource utilization and provide recommendations to support sound fiscal management and effective program operations.
• Coordinate with internal departments, funding agencies, and regulatory entities to ensure compliance with reporting requirements, funding obligations, contract deliverables, and program standards.
• Transport children to and from approved educational activities, field trips, or school as necessary and in accordance with organizational policies and safety requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Non-essential Job Functions:

• Attend meetings, seminars, workshops, and training sessions as required to support professional development and program objectives.
• Assume the responsibilities of the Classroom Teacher position as needed to maintain required staff-to-child ratios and ensure continuity of operations. (See Classroom Teacher Job Description.)

Qualifications

Job Specifications:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of child development and age-appropriate learning activities.
• High degree of professionalism when handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including grammar, spelling, proofreading, and telephone etiquette.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Experience maintaining budgets, financial records, invoices, and related documentation.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to obtain a favorable adjudication certification within 90 days of hire.
• Must successfully pass a tribal background investigation and drug screening.
• Must maintain a valid driver's license in good standing and qualify under the Quapaw Nation Motor Vehicle Policy.

Experience:

• Experience in a licensed childcare, early childhood education, or related setting is required. Previous experience with curriculum development, staff supervision, compliance monitoring, licensing requirements, or program administration is preferred.
• Working knowledge of childcare licensing requirements, DHS/CCDF regulations, accreditation standards, and recordkeeping requirements preferred.
• Experience with budgeting, invoice processing, financial oversight, and recordkeeping is required.
• A combination of education, training, and directly related professional experience may be considered.

Education :

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field is preferred.

Physical Abilities :

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and perform tasks that require reaching above shoulder level.
• Ability to push, pull, squat, kneel, bend, and safely lift and carry up to 30 pounds.
• Visual acuity sufficient to perform essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Manual dexterity and coordination required to grasp, manipulate, and handle objects.
• Ability to travel occasionally for meetings, training, seminars, and professional development activities.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment with occasional time spent in classroom settings as needed.
• Must maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and cultural sensitivity while working in a diverse environment.
• Occasional indoor and outdoor activities may be required to support program operations and classroom staff.

Disclaimers:

This job description encompasses and describes most but not all tasks and responsibilities of the job. The management reserves the right to change the nature of the job and the job description with or without prior warning, as well as to give special consideration to circumstances related to the essential job functions on a case-by-case basis. The incumbent may be required by the management to perform other duties as assigned.

This job description does not constitute a contract for employment and may be changed at the discretion of the employer. PLEASE NOTE: Hiring preference in the following order will be provided to qualified members of the Quapaw Nation followed by spouse and caregivers of Quapaw Nation members and then other federally recognized tribes. The Quapaw Nation requires a designated candidate to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen, criminal background check and confirmation of professional references.

*The Quapaw Nation will not observe a medical marijuana card for any position deemed safety sensitive in accordance with the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act (Unity Bill).