PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Community Bridges; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 71,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bilingual English/Spanish differential

Job summary

Community Bridges is seeking a Program Director to lead the Early Education Division in Santa Cruz, CA. You will plan, organize, and oversee multiple preschool centers, ensuring compliance with Federal and State regulations and high-quality learning environments for children.

The role requires strong leadership, budgeting, curriculum planning, and collaboration with families and community partners to expand services and funding opportunities.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of program development and monitoring for child care.
• Understanding of early childhood education methods and child development.
• Ability to manage budgets, reports and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Directs long- and short-range planning for Early Education programs.
• Leads advocacy to expand services at local/state levels.
• Ensures Centers meet federal/state guidelines and safety standards.
• Oversees staffing, budgets, enrollment procedures, and reporting.
• Collaborates with families, teachers, and community agencies.

Skills

Program development

Curriculum planning

Staff supervision

Budget monitoring

Regulatory compliance

Advocacy

Family communication

Education

BA in ECE or Child Development

Program Director Permit (CA)

Teaching/Administrative Credential

Master's in ECE (optional)

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: EED Sycamore Street Center - Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Position Type: Regular

Salary Range: $51.28 - $64.12 per hour

Job Shift: 37.5 hours per week

Position Description

Under the general direction of the CEO, plans, organizes, directs and controls the early education centers in compliance with Federal and State regulations; ensures the programs meet the needs of preschool children; performs related work as required.

Duties & Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Development

• Directs long- and short-range planning and goal setting for all programs assigned to the Early Education Division.
• Strategizes and implements ongoing advocacy efforts on local and state levels to expand the scope of services as appropriate.
• Administrates all aspects of the Children’s Centers, ensuring compliance with Federal and State guidelines.
• Represents the Early Education Division in various current and potential funding sources.
• Assists in overall Agency program development, management and evaluation.

Financial & Budget Management

• In cooperation with the Grants Analyst, develops and monitors program budgets, taking action as appropriate.
• Develops enrollment and payment procedures; prepares and submits all reports required by Federal and State regulations in a timely manner.

Program Operations & Family Services

• Works with teachers to plan curriculum and implement learning programs.
• Ensures an environment that fosters healthy emotional, social, cognitive and physical growth at the Centers.
• Maintains safe and healthy conditions at the Centers.
• Oversees planning of menus for meals and snacks served at the Centers.
• Selects, assigns and evaluates teachers, aides and other support staff; recruits volunteers.
• Interviews families applying for childcare services; explains eligibility and fee requirements; ensures parental needs are met.
• Participates in parent conferences, works with community organizations and agencies to coordinate services for children at the Centers.
• Participates in statewide and local advocacy efforts in support of child care services; involves staff and participants as appropriate.
• Cooperates with Parents’ Advisory Committees; communicates effectively and respectfully with parents, volunteers and staff from diverse backgrounds.

Staff Management & Professional Development

• Selects, assigns and evaluates teachers, aides and other support staff; recruits volunteers.
• Maintains professional competence through in‑service education.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge

• Program development, organization, implementation and monitoring principles and practices, particularly for child care programs.
• Early childhood education methods and techniques.
• Child psychology, development and family life education.
• Child health and first aid.
• Budget monitoring, recordkeeping and report preparation.

Skill

• Program development, organization and implementation for child care programs.
• Selection, training and supervision of paid staff and volunteers.
• Teaching and supervising preschool children.
• Preparation of concise written and numerical reports.
• Budget development and monitoring.
• Reading and interpreting complex regulations and policies.
• Advocacy for child care programs.
• Cooperative work with staff, volunteers, parents and community representatives.

Licensing Requirements

• Must hold or qualify for, and maintain, a Child Development Program Director Permit issued by the CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
• The minimum requirements to obtain a Program Director Permit are:
• BA degree with 24 Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Child Development (CD) units, including core courses; plus 6 administration units and 2 adult supervision units.
• Teaching or Administrative Credential with 12 units of ECE, plus 3 units of supervised field experience in an ECE setting.
• Master’s degree in early childhood education.
• Must maintain an active permit, which requires completion of a minimum of 105 hours of professional growth every five years.

Other Requirements

• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred but not required.
• Must provide transcripts of college courses prior to beginning employment.
• Must be fingerprinted, complete a Child Abuse Index Check form, and be criminally cleared prior to beginning employment.
• Must provide proof of current immunization against influenza, pertussis and measles prior to beginning employment.
• Must undergo Health Screening and TB test within 7 days of employment.
• Must provide valid CPR certification and Pediatric First Aid training certificate or be willing to obtain both within 30 days of employment.
• Must sign a “Mandated Reporter” agreement, which mandates the employee to report suspected child abuse.
• Must complete Health, Safety and Nutrition training as required by California Community Care Licensing regulations.
• Must possess a valid California Driver’s License, be insured, be insurable under the agency’s insurance policy, and have use of a reliable motor vehicle.

Other Job Details

• The position is eligible for a $.40 per hour bilingual differential after passing a test administered by the HR department.
• This is an FLSA exempt position.
• Regular onsite attendance is required for this position.