Early Learning Center Assistant Director

Catholic Charities Jacksonville; Yulee (FL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Catholic Charities Jacksonville is seeking an Assistant Director to supervise staff and ensure adherence to DCF regulations at St. Clare Early Learning Center. Responsibilities include monitoring staff interactions, overseeing meal preparation, conducting inventory, and assisting with day-to-day operations. Candidates must have a high school diploma or GED, DCF training, and valid First Aid and CPR certification. The position requires effective communication skills and a commitment to supporting children's development. Evening and weekend hours may be required.

Qualifications

• Must have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED.
• Must have current DCF 45-hour training and National CDA.
• Must have valid First Aid and CPR certificate.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and assist center staff in providing appropriate interactions with children.
• Oversee meal preparation and ensure compliance with regulations.
• Conduct inventory checks and order supplies as needed.

Skills

Knowledge of governmental, educational and religious standards

Ability to communicate effectively

First Aid and CPR certification

Knowledge of MS Office and PDS

Ability to pass background check

Education

High school diploma or GED

Current DCF 45-hour training

National CDA and VPK endorsed Director’s credential

Job description

Position

Assistant Director FLSA: Exempt

Reports to: Director

Location: St. Clare Early Learning Center

Hours: 9 A.M. - 6 P.M.

General Summary

Under the leadership of the director, the Assistant Director is responsible for adhering to DCF regulations, ensuring a quality program is delivered to children and families so that children develop school readiness skills. The assistant director will supervise, monitor, train and support instructional and non‑instructional staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Monitors, models and provides assistance to center staff in order to provide appropriate interactions with children, both individually and in a group setting.
• Provides guidance techniques that include redirection, positive reinforcement, anticipation and elimination of potential problems, and verbalization of feelings.
• Implements the center’s discipline policy, which includes positive discipline and transition techniques, as specified in the employee handbook.

Monitors meal preparation, service and clean‑up to ensure compliance with all state and federal regulations.

• Works with teaching staff to ensure parent conferences and other parent‑involved activities are occurring at the center.
• Conducts inventory checks and orders supplies as needed to operate programs and implement curriculum.
• Participates in on‑site and off‑site professional development trainings and workshops, including annual in‑service training hours; attends and participates in staff team meetings.
• Maintains proper recordkeeping and confidentiality at all times.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Responsibilities Under Direction Of Center Director

• Assists with day‑to‑day operations of the site, in compliance with the Florida Department of Children and Families standards.
• Ensures appropriate enrollment, recruitment and attendance.
• Provides support to teachers at parent meetings, workshops, trainings, and other parent involvement activities.
• Provides direct feedback in the areas of performance, attendance and professional development of center staff.
• Coordinates and/or provides screenings.
• Provides communication with staff and parents through newsletters, calendars, memos, and other forms of communication.
• Ensures records at the site are maintained, including daily attendance, health checks, meal counts, portfolios, accident reports, and lesson plans.
• Monitors daily maintenance of the site; reports maintenance needs in a timely manner.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Required

• Practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church preferred.
• Must have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED.
• Must have current DCF 45‑hour training completed, National CDA and VPK endorsed Director’s credential.
• Must have valid First Aid and CPR certificate.
• Must have knowledge of governmental, educational and religious standards, as set forth by DCF and any other agency to which the agency commits.
• Knowledge and ability of computer software: MS Office, PDS.
• Knowledge of applicable safety and abuse reporting procedures.
• Must successfully pass the required criminal background check prior to employment and every five years; must complete Protecting God’s Children (PGC) workshop prior to employment. For the Background Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness website, visit https://info.flclearinghouse.com.
• Ability to complete 10 hours of in‑service training each fiscal year.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, vendors, employees, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Position may require some evening and weekend hours.