Early Childhood Center Director - Full Time

ST. JEROME EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

JOB DESCRIPTION: Early Childhood Administrator – Full-time position

Qualifications: A practicing Catholic, with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or related field. Administrative experience is preferred and 9 college credits in administration/business are required. Florida Director Credential, VPK Director Credential and experience working with young children & families required.

JOB SUMMARY: The EC Administrator, working with staff, families and students, is responsible for developing, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating a developmentally appropriate early childhood program. S/he is responsible for fostering the Catholic environment of the school to ensure that the spiritual, emotional, social, academic, and physical facets of the students’ lives will be enhanced.

RELIGIOUS EXPECTATIONS

• Witnesses and models Catholic faith and values through positive interaction with families, staff, children and volunteers.
• Actively participates in his/her Catholic parish.
• Participates in the diocesan required ongoing faith formation expectations.

PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS

• Meets accreditation, state, licensing, diocesan and center professional requirements (Educational Requirements, Childcare Coursework, Faith Development, CPR, First Aid, Safe Environments, Ethics, Harassment, etc.)
• Maintains a current State of Florida Director Credential and VPK Credential requirements.
• Maintains a personal professional development plan and actively participates in ongoing professional development opportunities in the field of early childhood and administration.
• Maintains ethical standards, including confidentiality, as set forth by the ‘Standards of Ethical Conduct for Schools & Centers’, Diocese of St. Petersburg.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
A. General:
• Defines the center’s mission/philosophy, goals and objectives with the staff and families.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates, with the staff, educational programs consistent with:
• The Gospel message and Catholic tradition
• The educational and formational needs of the children
• Diocesan policies & Accreditation standards
• State and federal guidelines
• Maintains excellent programming in accordance with the requirements of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, the State of Florida, the Department of Education, accrediting agencies and local license boards. Attends all ECC Director and Administrator meetings for the DOSP. Monitors and complies to information, changes and requirements such as health and safety protocols.
• Oversees the center’s current (NAEYC) accreditation process.
• Administers the day-to-day operations of the school/center.
• Develops, and annually updates, the Employee Manual and Family Handbook.
• Maintains and updates School Crisis Plan & other emergency procedures.
• Participates in FEMA and DCF training programs.
• Creates and maintains an academic calendar and events calendar in coordination with St. Jerome parish
• Plans, coordinates and oversees community events.
• Submits an annual application for a VPK contract and maintains the necessary requirements and documents for participation in this program.
• Maintains the school website and social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
• Interviews and supervise outside enrichment providers for extracurricular activities.
• Maintains and stores all school records for required time periods.

B. Human Resources and Staff Development:
• Includes the total staff in developing the educational program.
• Oversees the ECC staff to ensure that the programs are implemented as designed.
• Develops procedures for hiring and orienting personnel.
• Oversees and maintains staff records requirements.
• Conducts performance appraisals of all staff members, supervises, and evaluates their professional growth.
• Oversees all communications between staff and families.
• Oversees payroll.

C. Student-Related Expectations:
• Endeavors to meet the needs of all students.
• Arranges systematic procedures for continual assessment of the religious, social, physical, intellectual and emotional growth of the students.
• Coordinates health, safety, and additional services for students (ex. Hearing screenings, vision screenings, FDLRS)
• Assures all student files are current & in order as mandated by local licensing and accreditation standards.
• Provides orientation and placement for new students.
• Conducts tours, evaluates applicants, processes documents and registers students.
• Plans and monitors class assignments.

D. Collaborative Relationships:
• Establishes family support and understanding through the development of the Family Handbook, newsletters, & parent meetings.
• Plans a calendar of events, which includes speakers, visitors, workshops, and in-school presenters.
• Keeps families updated with any pertinent information through phone calls, emails, web-postings, newsletters, articles, and additional communication.
• Conducts Parent/Teacher Conference days twice per year.
• Meets with parents throughout the school year to discuss student issues, review assessments and observations, seek professional evaluations, develop student support plans, etc.
• Oversees management of daily carline (morning and afternoon).
• Supervises volunteers and visitors to the center.

E. Business Management:
• Actively works to generate and manage the resources needed to support a program of excellence.
• Develops and submits to the pastor and parish finance committee a budget consistent with the educational goals of the program.
• Maintains a financially stable EC program, making every effort to operate a fiscally sound, self-supporting program.
• Maintains an accurate accounting.
• Researches, writes and submits grant proposals. Oversees the required disbursement of allocated funds.
• Plans and implements a fundraising plan.
• Submits a yearly calendar to the Office of Catholic Schools & Centers, Diocesan Finance Office and pastor/designee.
• Requests and monitors state funded VPK payments to our account.

F. Center Facilities:
• Supervises the operation of the center facilities in accordance with state/county laws, fire regulations, and local building codes.
• Secures space for staff, classes, and activities based on yearly calendar.
• Develops long & short-range goals for the orderly improvement of the center plant.
• Oversees the purchase, maintenance, replacement, storage, & inventory of instructional supplies & equipment.
• Maintains a neat, secure facility.
• Maintains a safe and pleasant outdoor area and compliance to playground safety regulations.

Goals:

• Witnesses and models Catholic faith and values through positive interaction with families, staff, children and volunteers.
• Bring the center's vision to life by implementing a dynamic early childhood program that fosters faith, education, and growth for children in a supportive and joyful environment.
• Build and cultivate a dream team by leading, empowering and supporting a dedicated team of passionate educators who love what they do.
• Engage others by building strong relationships with families, hosting our traditional community events, and creating a welcoming environment which encourages new families to join and encourages more community support.
• Oversee school operations, maintain all licensing standards and state regulations, and uphold the highest safety protocols.
• Showcase our programs to prospective families and the local community by ensuring there is engaging communications/social media and hosting timely tours that are fun and informative.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a Level II Background Screening.