Assistant Director

Description

The Growing Place Position Description

Position: Assistant Director

Location: Growing Place Ocean Park Campus

Status: Full-time, Salary, Exempt

Reports to: OP Campus Director

Description of the Position

The Assistant Director leads and collaborates with the Campus Director, children, faculty, staff,

families, and the broader community to carry out the values and mission of the Growing Place,

including its social-constructivist approach inspired by practices from Reggio Emilia. The

Assistant Director helps the Campus Director to oversee and support the daily operations of the

school; they will assume the duties of the Campus Director in their absence. In addition to

supporting the development and implementation of high-quality care practices in partnership

with the Campus Director and Educational Coordinating Team, the Assistant Director supports

building a strong sense of community among parents, builds meaningful connections between

Growing Place and other organizations that work with young children/families in our local city,

leads fundraising events, and oversees the purchases of the center. The Assistant Director

holds a strong and clear vision of the organization’s purpose statement, supporting the Campus

Director in actualizing the school’s goals and objectives as outlined in our Strategic Plan.

Responsibilities and Duties

Promoting Effective Teaching and Learning

Work with Children

Collaborate with faculty and the Educational Coordinating Team to support curriculum for

the entire campus that is in accordance with the Growing Place philosophies and

pedagogy

Mentor new employees and staff in collaboration with the Campus Director

Collaborate with Campus Director to support children who need developmental

assessments and/or additional learning services (ex: ASQs, Occupational/Speech

Therapies, Psychologists, other assessments, etc.)

Build trusting and positive relationships with all children

Support the integration of new children into the school

Supports with daily attendance and contacting parents regarding illnesses/absences

Work with Families

Welcome families and create relationships with all families so they feel a sense of

community and belonging at the Growing Place

Orient new families on policies and practices

Collaborate with Campus Director and staff to create authentic partnerships with families

Collaborate with the Administrative Team to oversee and organize GP Friends and GP

Friends Parent Committees

Join Parent Teacher Meetings and Conferences as assigned by Campus Director

Support engagement with families through participation at school led events

Liaison between parent volunteers, vendors, and teachers to plan and execute

school-wide events and activities

Effectively communicate the life of the school with families

Work with Faculty, Staff, Student-Teachers

Cultivate a positive, healthy, and professional work environment with the Campus

Director

Cultivate a culture of curiosity, reflection, innovation, and critical thinking and feedback

Lead and support onboarding for new staff

Participate in consistent and authentic feedback from employees, including having a

continuous performance management plan

Design daily schedules for staff

Support with mediation of conflicts among the staff in collaboration with Campus Director

Support professional development of staff

Support and organize campus educator tours and workshops

Collaborate with GP Administrators (ex: Campus Directors, Office Managers, Program

Coordinator) to ensure that school operations are running smoothly and align with the

Growing Place’s mission and values

Plan the yearly calendar in collaboration with GP Administrators

Support with supervision of children when needed and appropriate

Stewarding Campus Finances, Fiscal Responsibilities and Reporting

Oversee all center purchases in collaboration with appropriate administrators (eg:

Campus Directors, Business Manager, Program Coordinator, ECT)

Procure and lead fundraising initiatives to meet the school’s fundraising goals in

collaboration with the leadership team

Cultivate a spirit of philanthropy with parents and community members

Steward resources that are campus specific and organization applicable to ensure a

healthy overall fiscal budget

Engage in regular budget reviews to ensure it is on track and balanced with Campus

Director and Business Manager

Follow fiscal policies and procedures handbook

Overseeing Enrollment and Marketing

Collaborate with Administrators to implement policies of admission, interviews,

attendance, tuition and enrollment goals for the organization

Collaborate with Administrators to ensure full enrollment at the campus

Collaborate with Campus Director to facilitate Prospective Family Tours

Conduct prospective Parent Conversations with Campus Director

Conduct tours of the school for visitors

Ensure that staff are aware of upcoming admissions tours, observations, and marketing

events

Ensuring Licensing, Accreditation Standards, and Qualifying for Insurance

Ensure the organization is compliant with all licensing standards at all times

Collaborate with administration and teaching staff to ensure the program meets the

accreditation requirements for the National Association of the Education of Young

Children (NAEYC)

Cultivate working relationships with employees of licensing and accreditation

organizations

Maintaining School Environment and Facilities

Oversee all outdoor and indoor spaces of the campus promoting health and safety for

children and adults

Conduct periodic walk-through to record, report, and address maintenance needs

Support a campus environment that promotes teaching, learning, development of strong

and trusting relationships, beauty, richness, and connection to the natural world within

our SM context

Serve as the liaison with any janitorial, maintenance, district companies/organizations to

schedule regular cleaning, upkeep, and maintenance

Create effective emergency preparedness plans

Maintain safe and strong security system for the campus in collaboration with Campus

Director

Purchase, organize, and update supplies for first aid, sanitation, food service, facility

maintenance, and office as needed and approved by Directors

Coordinate and oversee Pitch-In Days

Operations and Business

Ensure the center is compliant with all licensing standards and requirements per

California Department of Social Services Child Care Licensing

Support positive partnerships to promote good business practices

Building Deeper Community Partnerships

Develop networks with other relevant organizations and schools

Work with organizations that support children’s tuition and additional services

Demonstrate a strong, inclusive and welcoming practices for all visitors

Attend and participate in professional conferences, lectures, and other educational

events relevant to furthering the organization’s mission and presence

Additional responsibilities will be assigned by the supervisor and outlined in work plans.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications/Requirements

Skills

A Bachelor’s Degree or higher

2 years of experience working with children ages 3 months-6 years old in a licensed

child care program, an NAEYC accredited child care center preferred

At least 24 Early Childhood Units; 3 units Adult Supervision

Must meet the requirements of the California Department of Social Services (licensing),

including an updated TB status, CPR certification, fingerprint clearance.

Demonstrated understanding of child development

Requires strong communication skills with children, families, faculty, and staff

Competencies

Values parents as important partners in the work of the school

Pays attention to the many ways that children make meaning of the world

Collaborates with children and adults in positive ways

Exhibits a positive, team player spirit; works independently and collaboratively

Has a keen interest and curiosity about the nature of learning and teaching

Finds joy in working with children and adults

Approaches teaching as a life-long learner

Embraces reflection as a tool for growth and learning

Demonstrates commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity for all internal and external

community members

Seeks out resources to continually improve one’s practice

Establishes professional boundaries with children, parents, and colleagues

Processes, protects and exercises discretion in handling confidential information and

materials

Demonstrates professionalism in dress, attitude, communication, and punctuality

Shows and values integrity for oneself and others

Provides value add to the organization beyond the job position

Working Conditions

Standing and sitting in indoor and outdoor environments designed for children ages 3

months to 5 years

Ability to move rapidly from a sitting to standing position, and to be able to get down and

up off the ground as needed

Ability to push, pull, or lift up to 50lbs

Working in all weather conditions

Requires developmentally normal hearing abilities and visual acuity

Must be able to travel and work some evenings and weekends occasionally required

Salary : $33 - $35