What are the responsibilities and job description for the Head Start Early Childhood Assistant Center Director position at YMCA of the East Bay?
POSITION SUMMARY:
These general functions will be carried out in keeping with the Goals, policy and Mission of the YMCA of the East Bay. Under the direction of the Center Director, the Early Childhood Impact (ECI) Assistant Center Director provides day-to-day administration of the child development center, including the management of staffing, teacher/child ratios, parent communication, and health and safety. The Assistant Center Director supports the center with daily monitoring activities to keep operations running smoothly.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Assist in planning, supervising and implementing high-quality programming. Work with teaching staff, service area teams, and operations team to ensure program is enriching and appropriate to meet the needs of the children.
- Assist the Center Director in the administration of the Center to include the following:
- Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with staff and parents regarding the children and the program activities in a positive manner.
- Monitor staffing and ratios on a daily basis, ensuring that teaching staff get required breaks, and that classrooms are adequately covered.
- Ensure correct licensing and required postings are maintained in the facility.
- Ensure the safety of children by practicing, supporting, and monitoring the implementation of head counts and active supervision.
- Support the teachers in completing required education documentation such as observations, assessments, screenings, parent teacher conferences, home visits, etc.
- Assist with teacher training in all applicable service areas.
- Ensure that teachers regularly meet with Specialists and support staff for consultation and technical assistance.
- Maintain positive rapport with parents and family members, and effectively work with parents and children from various cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Encourage, promote, and develop opportunities for parents to fully participate in their children's educational experience.
- Be a positive role model for teaching staff and children by following all program policies and procedures.
- Follow procedures for making verbal and written reports of suspected child abuse to Center Director and/or to Child Protective Services as required.
- Ensure a healthy, safe and clean indoor and outdoor environment at the facility; handle emergency situations in a calm and professional manner and administer first aid and/or CPR if required.
- Attend required staff meetings and trainings.
- Participate in monitoring, corrective actions, follow ups, and problem solving.
- Ensure accurate reports and documentation that complies with applicable laws, policies and procedures; prepare state-mandated paperwork as directed.
- Ensure proper maintenance and confidentiality of child, family and program files.
- Keep Center Director informed of equipment and supply needs.
- Other duties as assigned by the Center Director.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions and to supervise program activities in a wide variety of indoor and outdoor locations
- Intermittently and continuously throughout the day, must bend, stoop, crouch or kneel in order to instruct, assist and aid children at their level
- Lift and carry equipment, toys and chairs weighing up to 50 pounds
- Stand or walk uninterrupted for up to two hours at a time
- Move quickly to keep pace with young children
- Frequent use of hands for both gross motor activities as well as fine manipulation
- Repetitive forward reaching using both arms
- Required hearing acuity sufficient to respond to soft voices or whispers as well as to loud noises and alarms
- Provide adequate visual supervision for a distance of up to 50 feet under a variety of circumstances
- Must be able to travel locally for meetings, training and special events including some evenings
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:
- Communication and Influence
- Developing Self and Others
- Emotional Maturity
- Inclusion
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must possess one of the following: Child Development Permit at the level of Site Supervisor or higher, or qualify for one: OR a credential authorizing teaching in elementary school including 12 units of early childhood education; OR a single subject credential in Home Economics including 12 units of early childhood education; OR Child Development Associate credential; OR meet qualifications as specified for a Head Teacher by Community Care Licensing regulations, depending on the program for which employed
- Permits must be renewed and remain valid to maintain employment at the Teacher level
- Experience with the appropriate age group as commensurate with State Regulations, depending on education
- Must have knowledge of components of quality early childhood education
- Completion of 15 hours of preventive health practices training with a current certificate in pediatric first aid and pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation issued by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association, or by a training program that has been approved by the Emergency Medical Services Authority
- The ability and sensitivity to work with a multi-ethnic community
- The physical, mobility, strength and dexterity to lift a child weighing 30 pounds and/or weights of up to 30 pounds; stand and walk 4—6 hours; use hands for repetitive movements of grasping, fine manipulation, pushing & pulling; and frequently bending, squatting and climbing stairs.
- Upon initial hiring, employee must be fingerprinted according to rules for Community Care Licensing for a criminal record clearance
- Criminal record clearance and health requirements that include physical exam, TB and immunizations
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook and other computer programs
