Program Director, Child Development Center

West Valley - Mission Community College District; Saratoga (CA); On-site; USD 163,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Long term disability

Life insurance

Holidays, vacation and sick leave

Longevity awards

Job summary

West Valley-Mission Community College District is hiring a Program Director for the Child Development Center. The role leads the program, plans activities, supervises staff, and ensures compliance with licensing and district policies.

The position is exempt, management, with a comprehensive benefits package and a competitive salary. Start date is September 2026, with opportunities for professional growth and district-wide collaboration.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in child development or related field.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in child development programs, including one year in supervision.
• Ability to understand diverse student backgrounds and needs.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and oversee the work of staff involved in child development activities.
• Plan, organize and direct child development center operations.
• Prepare budget estimates and monitor expenditures.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state licensing regulations and district policies.
• Build partnerships with families and external agencies; participate in grants and reporting.

Skills

Budget development

Staff supervision

Program management

Communication

Safety procedures

Diversity & inclusion

Office software

Education

Master's degree in child development or related field

Job description

Position Title

Program Director, Child Development Center

Campus

WVMCCD District (All Campuses)

Definition

The Child Development Center is seeking a talented individual to fill the position of Program Director, Child Development Center

The program director will plan, organize, and direct the activities of the child development center

About the District

Santa Clara County, home of the Silicon Valley, is a world-renowned center for high technology and an important business and financial center. It is also the Bay Area’s most populous county, with almost 2 million residents, and the site of California’s third largest city, San Jose. West Valley and Mission Colleges serve an area of approximately 350,000 residents. The West Valley-Mission Community College District is one of the largest employers in Santa Clara County.

The District is composed of two colleges: West Valley College in Saratoga and Mission College in Santa Clara. Together they enroll more than 17,375 students with diverse backgrounds. Courses are taught during day, evening, and weekend hours, in addition to online courses and distance learning. More than 1,525 faculty and staff work for the District, which has a budget exceeding $135,287,206. The service area includes the cities of Santa Clara, Saratoga, Campbell, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno; and parts of San Jose, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, and Santa Cruz County.

Assignment

This is a classified administrator position with an anticipated start date of September 2026. This is an exempt, management position and is not subject to overtime.

Salary and Benefits

• Initial hire range: $162,554–$173,121 annually (Administrative Salary Schedule, Range 15, Steps A-C).
• Annual salary step increases to maximum of salary range, $202,653 (Administrative Salary Schedule, Range 15, Step H).

Benefits Include

• Additional compensation: $2,000 for doctorate added to base salary annually, to be prorated on a monthly basis.
• Employer-contributed medical, dental and vision for employee, spouse and/or dependents.
• Employer-paid long term disability for employee.
• Employer-provided life insurance.
• 14 paid holidays, plus 1 floating holiday annually; paid non-workdays between Christmas and New Year.
• 22 days vacation leave accrued annually (25 days after 5 years).
• 12 days sick leave accrued annually.
• Personal necessity leave and personal business leave.
• Professional development and renewal leave.
• $1000 longevity award annually after 10 years of service and $1,500 longevity award annually after 15 years of service.
• CalPERS retirement.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of experience and education that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

• Experience: Five years of increasingly responsible experience in child development programs, including one year of supervisory responsibility.
• Education: Equivalent to a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in child development, education or a related field.

AND

Understanding of, and sensitivity to the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, disability, and sexual orientation of community college students, faculty and staff.

Desired Qualifications

Knowledge Of

• Principles and practices of early childhood education and development.
• Pertinent local, state, and federal rules, regulations and laws, including licensing and enrollment requirements.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
• Principles and practices of research analysis and management.
• Principles and practices of budget development, implementation, and monitoring.
• Principles and practices of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Principles and practices of work safety.

Ability To

• Organize, implement and direct child development center operations/activities.
• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policy and procedures.
• On a continuous basis, sit at desk for long periods of time; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone; write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; and lift or carry weight of 70 pounds or less.
• Interpret and explain pertinent state education code sections, enrollment and licensing requirements, and department policies and procedures.
• Perform as a safety officer in case of emergency, based on district safety procedures.
• Assist in the development and monitoring of an assigned program budget.
• Develop and recommend policies and procedures related to assigned operations.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
• Use sound judgment in recognizing scope of authority.
• Operate and use modern office equipment including computers and applicable software.
• Maintain regular attendance and adhere to prescribed work schedule to conduct job responsibilities.
• Utilize appropriate safety procedures and practices for assigned duties.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Relate effectively with people of varied academic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy.
• Establish and maintain effective, cooperative and collaborative working relationships with others.
• Work beyond normal business hours, attend evening meetings and/or perform weekend work, and travel.

Examples Of Duties And Responsibilities

• Recommend and implement section goals and objectives; establish performance standards and methods for the child studies department’s instructional lab; develop and implement policies and procedures.
• Plan, develop, and oversee the work of staff involved in child development activities.
• Evaluate operations and activities of assigned unit; implement improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities.
• Participate in budget preparation and administration; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations; monitor and control expenditures, disseminate information and make programmatic and enrollment corrections during the year.
• Participate in the selection of staff, including student workers; supervise staff, coordinate staff training; conduct performance evaluations; recommend discipline; implement discipline procedures as directed.
• Ensure that the child development program meets federal and state licensing regulations, including Title 22 and Title V regulations, funding requirements and accreditation standards, and other legal requirements pertaining to health and safety, food and nutrition, and emergency procedures.
• Prepare state and federal grant applications; manage associated grant reporting requirements.
• Develop culturally appropriate support procedures and activities for families of enrolled children.
• Build, support, and encourage community partnerships; conduct parent tours and perform marketing functions for the center.
• Answer questions and provide information to the public; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve complaint; represent the Child Development Center with external and internal agencies and groups.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other district employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Foster an environment that embraces diversity, integrity, trust, and respect.
• Be an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation, and communication.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

EEO STATEMENT

West Valley-Mission Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer that seeks to employ a diverse workforce who will contribute to an inclusive and welcoming educational and employment environment. The District is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of ethnic group identification, race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, physical disability, mental disability, genetic information, ancestry, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, language, accent, citizenship status, transgender status, parental status, marital status, economic status, military or veteran status, and medical condition consistent with applicable federal and state laws.