ECE Assistant Program Manager

Salt-River-Pima--maricopa-Indian-Community-; Scottsdale (AZ); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community's Early Childhood Education Center seeks an Assistant Program Manager to oversee education, care, safety and well-being of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, ensuring developmental readiness and compliant operations.

This role supervises and trains staff, coordinates curriculum and program services, monitors classroom quality, manages budget and internal controls, and partners with families and community services to support children and families.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field.
• 4+ years of childcare/Head Start teaching experience.
• 3+ years supervising childcare staff and performing administrative duties.

Responsibilities

• Oversee education, care, safety and well-being of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
• Supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff.
• Coordinate curriculum maps and program services for infants/toddlers or preschool program.
• Monitor classroom quality and provide coaching to teachers and aides.
• Ensure compliance with Child Care Development Fund, Head Start and industry standards.
• Manage budget and internal controls for program materials and assets.

Skills

Team leadership

Child development

Curriculum development

Staff training

Parent communication

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education

4 years childcare/Head Start teaching experience

3 years supervising childcare staff

Job description

Under the general supervision of the EC Education Leader, the Assistant Program Manager oversees the education, care, safety, development and well-being of infants, toddlers, and / or preschool students enrolled in the Early Childhood Education Center. Supervises and trains assigned staff working with children from birth to five years old. Coordinates Early Childhood Education program services and components related to either the infants and toddlers or preschool program, as assigned.

Primary Job Functions

Primary functions may include the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, skills, and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of tasks performed by all positions within this classification.

Essential Components of the Job

• Child Academic & Physical Readiness - Oversees and coordinates the education, care, safety and assures the well-being of all enrolled infant/toddler or preschool children to assure continued growth toward academic and physical readiness for the K-12 education program. Assures identification of children with special needs and facilitates assessment and special services suited to each child’s growth requirements.
• Curriculum Management - Works with to develop and implement curriculum maps and monitoring tools that are structured to assure focused and coordinated education activities that provide seamless transition and growth to higher achievement levels for children with varying abilities.
  • Regulatory Compliance - Develops and/or coordinates with others to provide training programs for classroom staff to ensure compliance with Child Care Development Fund, Head Start, and child education industry standards. Monitors and ensures proper health and safety procedures are followed. Works closely with other program staff, supervisors, and Program Manager to ensure all facets of program operations compliant with infant and/or child care regulations, rules, and professional standards.
  • Classroom Monitoring - Conducts regular classroom evaluation visits on a daily and weekly basis to monitor and give Teachers, Assistant Teachers, and Teacher Aides feedback on the quality of instruction provided; and to ensure that the classroom environment is developmentally appropriate. Provides feedback, coaching, and training to teachers, as needed, to help improve the quality of the instruction given to the students. Makes classroom adjustments as needed to accommodate staff breaks, vacations, sick leave, and various other situations as needed to maintain appropriate classroom ratios. Fill in and assist in the classroom during staff absences, as needed.
  • Remains available to address parent’s concerns in-person or via telephone conferences.
  • Parent Orientation and Communication - Meets with parents and teachers to assure timely, quality communications and to resolve issues and concerns including conflict management.
  • Special Services Coordination – Works cooperatively with the Family Advocate, Family Involvement, Parent Educator, Exceptional Student Services, Health & Nutrition programs as well as SRPMIC DHHS Behavioral Health and Social Services programs to facilitate an appropriate service mix for students and their families. Identifies and locates additional services as may be required to assure optimal service mix for each student.
  • Staff Supervision: Supervises, monitors, and evaluates subordinates’ work performance including development, monitoring and recording of duties and goals for performance evaluations. Schedules, assigns, and prioritizes staff work assignments to ensure required qualified classroom coverage for all enrolled program participants. Writes and conducts timely performance evaluations for the ECE Program Manager’s review.
  • Budget Management: and ensures all necessary supplies/equipment are available to support all infants/toddlers and/or preschool program activities, as applicable.
  • Internal Controls: Coordinates the development, implementation and maintenance of internal controls to assure that program materials and assets are properly safeguarded including accuracy in employee time recording, emergency management procedures, and compliance with Education Division policies and procedures.
  • Policy Compliance - Reviews and enforces Education Board, Tribal & ECEC policies and procedures and related program guidelines. Coordinates program efforts and activities with other educational components. Assists program professionals in the delivery of services to enrolled participants and parents. Assists with the development and maintenance of program policies and procedures in conjunction with the ECEC Policy Council. Attends required SRPMIC Education Board meetings and / or SRPMIC Council meetings in support of specific program areas under the direction of the ECEC Program Manager.
  • Designates staff members to serve as acting during absences. Provides regular staff meetings, in-service trainings, and continuing education to assigned staff. May fill in for the ECE Program Manager in his/her absences, as needed.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

• The history, culture, traditions, and customs of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community

Knowledge of:

• Arizona State Regulations for Child Care Licensure
• National Head Start and Early Head Start Performance Standards
• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Guidelines
• Accommodation Requirements of the ADA for disabled programs
• Laws, regulations, and policies governing the care and education of children ages birth through 5 years
• Standard principles, practices, methods and techniques for managing early childhood education programs
• Infant and child education, growth and mental and physical development as well as positive discipline techniques
• Methods and techniques for teaching small children, including children with special needs
• Special needs of children in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
• Health and abilities screening and assessment procedures for infants and toddlers
• Community resources, including health, remedial services, social services and child development
• Basic fund accounting and budgeting practices.
• Generally accepted principles and practices of employee supervision, including training, counseling, and performance evaluations

Skilled in:

• Managing a team of educators and classroom support staff in a large toddler and / or preschool facility
• Supervising toddler and preschool children in groups
• Care, monitoring and stimulation of infants
• Development of age appropriate curriculum
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with children, parents, community agencies, SRPMIC staff, volunteers, educational professionals and school administrators
• Providing leadership to and evaluating the work of subordinate staff
• Interacting with small children in learning and play situations

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Develop and present materials to staff and parents including training materials, brochures, posters, newsletters, and status reports
• Maintain accurate records for accountability of ECEC program activities
• Follow oral and written instructions, policies and procedures, rules, regulations and guidelines
• Operate a variety of office equipment, including computers, printers, multi-media projectors, scanners, VCR, camcorder, tape recorder, and audio devices
• Use computer application software (MSOffice Suite) in preparing timely program reports, records, files, etc.
• Walk, stoop, climb, bend and reach
• Lift and carry objects weighting up to 30 pounds

Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s degree from accredited college or university in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Development, Elementary Education, or a closely related field, and four (4) years of Childcare or Head Start teaching experience, and three (3) years’ experience supervising childcare staff and performing administrative operations duties. Must have a working knowledge of Child Care Development Fund, Head Start and/or Early Head Start and industry Performance Standards and NAEYC code of Ethical Conduct.

• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Development, or Elementary Education will be given credit for a CDA.

Underfill Eligibility: An enrolled Community Member who closely qualifies for the minimum qualifications for a position may be considered for employment under SRPMIC Policy 2-19, Underfill

Due to the confidential and sensitive nature of this position, successful completion of an extensive background investigation is required. Incumbent is required to pass a basic physical examination and provide proof of immunizations at time of hire. Follow-up physical examinations and current immunizations are required and must be completed to maintain good employment status. Maintaining booster shots on immunizations and taking a TB skin test or x-ray annually is also required. Documentation of the above medical actions is absolutely essential for the file and for the health of the children in the Early Childhood Education Program. Incumbent must also obtain First Aid, CPR, and AED certification within the first three (3) months of employment from the date of hire and maintain certification subsequently.

• At the time of hire, the incumbent must pass a basic physical examination and produce proof of a negative TB clearance and current immunizations, as well as fingerprint clearance

Driving Requirement: This job description does not require the incumbent to drive; however, any employee who chooses or is asked to drive any vehicle for work related community business must receive written annual authorization to do so. For clarification, work related community business includes driving to and from SRPMIC government sites and buildings.

Equivalency: Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience that would allow the candidate to satisfactorily perform the duties of this position, will be considered.

Underfill Eligibility: An enrolled Community Member who closely qualifies for the minimum qualifications for a position may be considered for employment under SRPMIC Policy 2-19, Underfill.

Terms of Employment: This position is treated as a full-time exempt position scheduled for 40 hours per week.

Must be able to pass a Pre-Employment Drug Test and extensive Fingerprint and Background Check. Employee is subject to the completion of a Background Check every five (5) years.

Employment preference is given in the following order: 1) Qualified Community Member 2) Qualified Native American, and 3) Other Qualified Applicant.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills that may be required.

Prior to hire as an employee, applicants will be subject to drug and alcohol testing. Will be required to pass a pre-employment background/fingerprint check.

"SRPMIC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer" Preference will be given to a qualified: Community Member Veteran, Community Member, Spouse of Community Member, qualified Native American, and then other qualified candidate.

In order to obtain preference, the following is required: 1) Qualified Community Member Veteran (DD-214) will be required at the time of application submission 2) Qualified Community Member (must provide Tribal I.D at time of application submission),3) Spouse of a Community Member (Marriage License/certificate and spouse Tribal ID or CIB required at time of application submission), and 4) Native American (Tribal ID or CIB required at time of application submission).