School Director - Partial Outdoor Preschool

Summary

Journey School Lynnwood (JSL) is a Reggio Emilia-inspired, year round, partial-outdoor preschool that offers children, families and staff, a welcoming, inclusive and supportive community of educators and professionals dedicated to encouraging children to pursue learning with a spirit of joy and adventure. JSL is seeking a Director to join our team. If you enjoy making a positive impact on growing minds as well as meaningful connections with your colleagues and community in a rewarding work environment, come grow with us!

At JSL, our Director's main priority is ensuring a safe and nurturing environment where children can learn and grow. The Director?s roles extend far beyond overseeing daily operations, the Director plays a vital role in shaping the environment and culture of the school, serving as a leader who sets the tone and energy for both staff and families. This position is responsible for fostering strong team dynamics, promoting collaboration among educators, and ensuring a nurturing atmosphere for children and welcoming place for all. The Director engages with the community to build relationships, while embodying the school?s values and ethos in every aspect of their leadership. Through strategic vision and supportive guidance, the Director helps create a vibrant, inclusive learning community that prioritizes the growth and development of young learners.

We are seeking someone with strong communication skills, self-awareness, sense of humor and a true passion for the school?s vision, approach and the ECE field. This person will have a proven and established track record through increased education and leadership experience. Great directors are warm, friendly, thoughtful, enthusiastic, organized, and work collaboratively and effectively both independently and as a team. These skills help guide you in building relationships with our staff members, parents, children and community alike.

Duties

Role Responsibilities (including but not limited to):

Administration

• Oversight of all daily operations and implementing best practices;
• Supports consistent implementation and application of all JSL policies and procedures for the school operations;
• Knowledgeable and up to date understanding of local, state, and federal laws, including WAC and OSPI licensing requirements; maintaining and managing all inspection and certification procedures;
• Works in partnership with the Head of School, Office and Facilities members to ensure smooth daily operation of the School;
• Works in conjunction with the Head of School and Office staff to track and monitor spending, maintaining program budgets;
• Represents JSL at all school and community related events;
• Promotes positive image of the school to existing, prospective and alumni families;
• Ensures the school and staff are in full compliance with all licensing and regulating entities associated with the School.

Staff Management

• Collaborates with Office staff including HR, Program Supervisors, and the Family Support Specialist on supervising and evaluating staff performance;
• Supports the hiring, onboarding, training, observations, professional development, modeling and coaching processes;
• Conducts Job Embedded Professional Development meetings;
• Ensures staff work from best practices for student, family and coworker engagement, teaching strategies and classroom management.

Program Management

• Provides a vision for continuous program improvement by remaining current on issues and trends in early childhood education;
• Creates a supportive, inclusive work environment that encourages team building and staff collaborations;
• Works in partnership with HR and Office Manager to ensure student/staff records are accurate and up-to-date in accordance with established onboarding process, certifications, enrollment procedures and guidelines;
• Supports and manages Parent Ambassador program, coordinating meetings, events and ways to bring our community together;
• Guides team staff members in achieving educational excellence, meeting all state and federal standards;
• Works in collaboration with the Family Support Specialist to provide support behavioral, developments or learning difficulties in conjunction with classroom teachers;
• Oversees program evaluation and staff instruction in conjunction with the Office team.

This program participates in Early Achievers and is licensed through DCYF and OSPI ; Local Candidates Only. JSL is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor?s Degree (or higher) in the ECE or related field and 5 yrs. experience in Early Childhood Education or equivalent fields
• Experience with and proficiency using Google / Microsoft Office products and technology
• Excellent organizational skills with exceptional oral/written communication and time management skills
• Models composure, strength-based communication, positive behavior management and engagement with children and adults
• Proven ability to work efficiently, multitask and be flexible, working in a fast paced, changing environment, with competing priorities and needs
• Current certification in hands-on CPR/First Aid, Blood Borne Pathogens, Food Handler Card and a negative TB test or willing to obtain upon employment.
• Must be able to pass and maintain a clear DCYF background check
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record with the ability to occasionally operate a 15 passenger van

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements:

• Mobility: ability to sit for long periods, move about an office, stand occasionally, reach above and below desk level and work outside in all weather and all seasons. Must have the ability to walk and/or run 10 acre property/campus.
• Dexterity: fine manipulation sufficient to operate a keyboard, handle individual papers, write and take notes, reach, handle and operate telephone, computer keyboard, record information in appropriate files and logs.
• Lifting: occasional lifting of papers, files, equipment and material and children weighing up to 50 pounds
• Visual Requirements: close vision sufficient to read files, documents, and computer screens and do close-up work; ability to adjust focus frequently. Additionally must posses far vision, side vision, depth perception, visual ability to read a variety of materials
• Hearing/Talking: ability to hear typical speech, voice conversations, alarms, speak and hear on the telephone, and speak in person
• Emotional/Psychological Factors: ability to make decisions and concentrate; frequent contact with others including some public contact; frequent deadlines and time-limited assignments

This program participates in Early Achievers and is licensed through DCYF and OSPI ; Local Candidates Only. JSL is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision insurance benefits offered with company 75% contribution
• 401K with up to 3% annual company match
• FSA (Flexible Spending Account)
• Accrued Paid Time Off / Sick Time
• Paid federal holidays and school closures, totalling 4 weeks of scheduled paid time off
• Employee Tuition Discount for enrolled children
• Eligibility for Early Achievers scholarships and grants for education in the ECE field
• Free parking, convenient location accessible by public transportation
• Supportive and involved ownership, office, staff team members and community

This program participates in Early Achievers and is licensed through DCYF and OSPI ; Local Candidates Only. JSL is an Equal Opportunity Employer.