DIRECTOR OF EARLY CHILDHOOD OPERATIONS

Experience Champaign Urbana; Rantoul (IL); On-site; USD 73,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Free child care

Professional development opportunities

Relocation assistance

Mileage reimbursement

Job summary

Experience Champaign Urbana seeks a Bilingual Director of Early Childhood Operations to lead the Multicultural Center’s preschool and school-age programs, ensuring high-quality care and regulatory compliance.

The role oversees staff supervision, training, family engagement, and coordination with health, nutrition, and mental health services to deliver integrated supports for children and families.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Education or related field preferred; coursework in business administration is a plus.
• Minimum two years of supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of DCFS regulations, Illinois licensing standards, and related requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and management for the Multicultural Center and its programs.
• Supervise classroom practices, including schedules and routines, to ensure program compliance.
• Oversee day-to-day staff supervision and scheduling to maintain staff ratios.
• Recruit, hire, onboarding, and training support for new employees.
• Oversee enrollment, attendance reporting, and student records with confidentiality.
• Deliver staff pre-service and in-service trainings; pursue program improvements.

Skills

Leadership

Bilingual English/Spanish

MS Office

Child Plus

Tadpoles

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Education

2+ years supervision experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Child Plus

Tadpoles

Job description

BILINGUAL DIRECTOR OF EARLY CHILDHOOD OPERATIONS

(Spanish and English)

General Summary:

Under the supervision of the Director, the Director of Operations provides leadership, oversight, and management of the Multicultural Center’s educational programs and daily operations. This position is responsible for planning, organizing, coordinating, implementing, and supervising educational services while ensuring high-quality care for children, compliance with regulatory requirements, and alignment with the Center’s mission and philosophy. Programs overseen include Preschool for All (ages 3-5), before-school programs, after-school programs, and school-age services for children ages 5-12 including summer camp.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership, vision, and management for the Multicultural Center and its programs.


• Supervise all classroom practices, including room arrangement, lesson plans, schedules, routines, and transitions to ensure compliance with program requirements.


• Provide day-to-day supervision of staff and delegate work assignments as needed.


• Develop employee schedules and ensure required staffing ratios are maintained at all times.


• Assist with recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and training new employees.


• Participate in grantee and delegate pre-service and ongoing training activities.


• Maintain current knowledge of DCFS regulations, Illinois Child Care Assistance Program requirements, and applicable licensing standards.


• Oversee student enrollment, transfer, discharge, readmission, attendance reporting, and recordkeeping processes.


• Ensure student records, assessments, health information, and related documentation are maintained accurately and confidentially.


• Deliver pre-service and monthly in-service training sessions for staff.


• Implement recommendations for program improvement and quality enhancement.


• Oversee child assessment processes, developmental screenings, data entry, and outcome reporting.


• Lead implementation of family literacy and parent engagement initiatives.


• Coordinate kindergarten transition activities and support children's transition to future educational settings.


• Collaborate with health, nutrition, mental health, disability, and family service personnel to provide integrated services.


• Attend staff, parent, and community meetings as required.


• Support staff professional development and identify training opportunities.


• Participate in the development of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs).


• Recruit, train and supervise volunteers.


• Prepare and submit reports to funding agencies, governing bodies, and stakeholders in a timely manner.


• Evaluate staff performance during probationary periods and annually thereafter.


• Maintain complete, accurate, and confidential records and documentation.


• Work with contractors and service providers to ensure facilities, transportation, food service, technology, and operations comply with all applicable regulations.


• Maintain records for contracts, leases, interagency agreements, construction projects, equipment, and related building operational matters.


• Coordinate facility construction, renovations, maintenance projects, and playground development.


• Develop and maintain professional relationships with vendors, tenants, community partners, funders, and stakeholders.


• Ensure compliance with DCFS licensing standards, Illinois State Board of Education requirements, Public Health regulations, and agency policies.


• Provide strategic leadership to support quality improvement, staff retention, and family engagement.


• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education:

• Bachelors or higher preferred in Education or related field, with at least 18 credit hours in Early Childhood Education preferred. Coursework in business administration preferred.


• Business and management classes is a plus.


• Minimum of two years of experience as a supervisor.

Skills:

• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and coaching skills.


• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English; bilingual English/Spanish preferred.


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and database management systems such as Child Plus and Tadpoles.


• Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities


• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.


• Ability to be well organized and collaborate with other departments

Experience:

• Background working with both preschool children and/or elementary school children.


• Understanding of the current DCFS policies in early childhood education, child health, mental health, and familiarity with the fields of disabilities services and parent involvement.


• Familiarity with community resources.


• Knowledge of day care licensing standards as well as standards of other regulatory bodies preferred. Including the ability to assist personnel in developing self-direction.


• Understanding of Developmentally Appropriate Practice, cultural diversity, and inclusion.

Additional Requirements:

• Valid Illinois driver's license, reliable transportation, and proof of vehicle insurance.


• Submit necessary documentation and information to complete the Illinois State Police and DCFS background check.


• Ability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends.


• Ability to pass required health screenings and criminal background checks.


• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.


• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team.


• Ability to represent the organization professionally within the community.


• Ability to lift up to 55 pounds.


• Ability to bend, stretch, stand for extended periods of time, climb stairs, reach, twist, sit, walk, and/or run.


• Ability to operate standard office equipment and technology.


• Ability to travel as required and work in varying weather conditions.

Compensation and Benefits:

$72,800 to $83,200 annually, depending on education, experience, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) qualifications for the job, interviews and bilingual ability.

• health, dental, and vision insurance


• Paid Time Off (PTO)


• paid holidays


• free child care


• professional development opportunities


• Birthday PTO, performance bonuses


• relocation assistance when applicable


• mileage reimbursement for approved business travel