School Age Childcare & Camp Director

YMCA Lafayette; Berkeley Heights (NJ); On-site; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Subsidized medical, dental & vision

Life and long-term disability coverage

Paid vacation and holidays

Free YMCA family membership

Discounts on programs and services

Ongoing professional development

12% YMCA retirement plan contribution

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

The Summit Area YMCA is seeking a dynamic School Age Childcare & Camp Director to lead before/after school programs and camp offerings across New Providence, Berkeley Heights, and Summit. You will manage staff, ensure safety, and build partnerships with schools and families.

This full-time role requires a bachelor's degree, supervisory childcare experience, and a commitment to YMCA values. Compensation ranges from $55,000 to $65,000 annually with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required by NJ licensing standards.
• Two+ years of supervisory childcare experience.
• Knowledge of NJ DCF regulations for childcare centers.
• Ability to relate to diverse groups in the community.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; mature and collaborative.
• CPR/First Aid certified or able to obtain within 60 days.

Responsibilities

• Lead school age and camp programs, ensuring safety and quality.
• Hire, train, schedule, and develop staff and volunteers.
• Manage budgets and enrollment; coordinate program communications.
• Build partnerships with schools, parents, and community orgs.
• Support fundraising, events, and YMCA initiatives.
• Uphold YMCA values in leadership and operations.

Skills

Relationship builder

Creative program design

Calm under pressure

Team leadership

Diversity & inclusion

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Inspire kids, lead programs, and build community-become our School Age Childcare & Camp Director at the Summit Area YMCA!

Job Description

The Summit Area YMCA is seeking an enthusiastic and mission-driven School Age Childcare & Camp Director to lead our before/after school programs and camp offerings across New Providence, Berkeley Heights, and Summit. This year-round role is ideal for a strong leader who thrives on building relationships, developing staff, and creating engaging experiences for children and families.

You will oversee high-quality childcare and camp programs, ensuring safe environments that align with YMCA values and meet all licensing requirements. As a leader, you will manage program operations, develop staff, collaborate with schools and community partners, and ensure our programs continue to grow and serve families with excellence.

You May Be the Right Fit If...

• You're a natural connector who enjoys building relationships with children, families, and staff.
• You bring creativity and energy to design engaging program activities.
• You're calm under pressure and skilled at problem-solving in dynamic situations.
• You value teamwork and know how to inspire, support, and coach others.
• You believe in the YMCA mission and are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• You balance big-picture vision with attention to detail in operations and safety.

What You'll Do:

• Ensure your assigned school age and camp programs provide safe, engaging, and high-quality experiences for children and families.
• Ensure programs meet state licensing, ACA, and YMCA standards for safety and quality.
• Manage budgets, enrollment, and program communications with families.
• Build partnerships with schools, parents, and community organizations.
• Support association-wide initiatives, fundraising, and special events.
• Serve as a visible and approachable leader, modeling YMCA values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.

At the Summit Area YMCA, we are committed to equal opportunity employment regardless of gender, age, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation. Our main purpose is to strengthen the community. Every day, we work side‑side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone can reach their full potential, and we strive to live our cause with purpose every day. No matter who you are or where you're from, we believe that we're stronger when we come together.

Qualifications

• A Minimum Bachelor's degree as required by NJ State Licensing Standards
• Two or more years related experience as a supervisor on a childcare setting.
• Knowledge of and experience with the NJ Department of Children and Families regulations for operating a childcare center.
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.
• Demonstrated maturity and ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Maintain flexibility and adaptability for change in both time and project management.
• Certified in CPR/ AED and First Aid, or ability to obtain within 60 days.

Essential Functions

• Manages, directs, and coordinates school age programs for elementary schools in New Providence, Berkeley Heights, and at the Summit YMCA, as well as their camp program area. Ensures high-quality programs and establishes new program activities. Expands programs within the community in accordance with strategic and operating plans.
• Recruits, hires, trains, develops, schedules, and directs personnel and volunteers as needed. Reviews and evaluates staff performance. Develop strategies to motivate staff and achieve goals.
• Develops, manages, and controls budgets related to the position. Ensure program operates within budget and that program fees are collected.
• Assures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations as they relate to program areas, including Department of Children and Families- Office of Licensing, the American Camp Association and ADA accommodations where appropriate. Ensures that YMCA program standards are met, and safety procedures followed.
• Provides for the upkeep of assigned program facilities and equipment and ensures the physical environment supports healthy living.
• Participate in annual agency-wide training courses, regular staff meetings, and complete the required annual training hours.
• Develops and maintains relationships with state childcare licensing agencies, school administration, parent groups and other organizations and agencies related to assigned programs. Responds to all agencies, parents and community inquiries and complaints in a timely manner.
• Provides staff leadership for the annual fund-raising campaign and committees as assigned.
• Maintains proper records/department files.
• Perform site observations and create/monitor weekly lesson plans.
• Organizes special events for parents. Assists in YMCA fund raising activities.
• Assists in the marketing and distribution of program information.
• Maintain communication to all families for childcare and camp; welcome packets and weekly communication.
• Compiles program statistics. Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of and participation in programs.
• Performs other duties assigned by supervisor/Executive Director.
• Demonstrates the Y's values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility
• As an Ambassador for the Y communicates to members, volunteers, and the general public that the Y is the nation's leading non-profit committed to strengthening the community through Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility.
• As an Ambassador for the Y, communicates to members, volunteers, and the general public that diversity and inclusion are core to the Summit Area YMCA mission. The SAY is open and inclusive of all people regardless of their ability, age, culture, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation and socio-economic background and we must all strive courageously against any discriminatory behavior and will always abide by the Summit Area YMCA's Diversity & Inclusion policy as explained in the Employee Handbook.

Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies

• Innovation- Creates and implements new and relevant approaches and activities that improve and expand the Y's work and impact in the community.
• Developing Self & Others: Develops self and supports others (e.g., staff, volunteers, members, program participants), both formally and informally, to achieve their highest potential.
• Communication & Influence- Listens and expresses self effectively and in a way that engages, inspires, and builds commitment to the Y's cause.
• Engaging Community- Builds bridges with others in the community to ensure the Y's work is community-focused and welcoming of all, providing community benefit.

Salary & Benefits

This full-time, exempt-level position typically works Monday-Friday in alignment with school age and camp program hours, with some evenings or weekends required for events and activities. The Salary range for this position is $55,000 - $65,000 annually. The compensation offered to the candidate selected for the position will depend on several factors, including the candidate's educational background, skills and professional experience.

The Summit Area YMCA offers a generous benefits package that includes:

• Subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life and long-term disability insurance.
• Paid vacation and holidays.
• Free YMCA family membership.
• Discounts on YMCA programs and services, including childcare and camp.
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
• A 12% employer contribution to the YMCA retirement plan upon eligibility.
• Full Time service at the Y qualifies for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

YMCA Careers

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