Preschool Director

Job description

As a thought-leader and best-in-class provider in education, wellness, youth development, and community-building, The YMCA of Metro Atlanta is one of the oldest and most essential non-profits serving in Atlanta. Today, we're looking for you to join us as we carry out our mission to positively impact lives and communities across the state.

At the Y, we're an association of like-minded people (staff, volunteers, and members), on the forefront of a movement to ensure that everyone -- especially children -- experience an equal opportunity to reach their full potential. In the course of a year, we provide more than 3,000 children, ages 6 weeks through Pre-K with high-quality literacy and STEAM-infused learning; give 58,000 youth and teens access to sports, aquatics, day and resident camps, teen leadership development programs, and employment opportunities; provide over 200,000 members with programs, services, and facilities to enjoy connection and maintain wellness regardless of age; and engage over 25,000 volunteers and donors from across Atlanta to share in the gift of supporting their communities.

The opportunities to serve are vast, and we're looking for a diverse mix of people, who share our values of CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, and RESPONSIBILITY, to join us and do their best work. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in our people, our members, and our partners. We are fully focused on equality and believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all the other wonderful characteristics that make us different.

Nature and Scope:

The Center Manager is responsible and accountable for implementing all aspects of the day-to-day center operations in compliance with Head Start Performance standards, in addition to DHR and NAEYC standards. This includes facility, personnel, procurement, record keeping and reporting, and parent activities.

Minimum Requirements:

* Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field preferred.
* Minimum of 3 years of management and supervisory experience or a minimum of 5 years' experience in an Early Childhood Education environment with at least 3 years of management and supervisory experience.
* Must possess excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
* Must have strong leadership ability.
* CPR within 30 days of employment and maintain throughout employment.

Responsibilities:

* Ensures that all aspects of the Head Start program and implemented at the center level.
* Perform COVID 19 safety procedures and all other necessary protocols before and during the program: to include personal temperature checks, visitor and parent temperature checks and prescreen questions, sanitation of all areas.
* Develop social distancing activities as needed.
* Monitors all service area activities and ensures compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, DHR and NAEYC.
* Monitors classroom assignments.
* Conducts weekly classroom observations.
* Requests technical assistance from staff or providers to ensure that appropriate services are delivered.
* Supervises all personnel employed at the center.
* Monitors and evaluates job performance of center staff, provides counseling, and assists in correcting deficiencies as noted, refer to HR if needed.
* Maintains attendance records, approves time sheets, leave and travel request for center employees.
* Participates in interviews and/or makes recommendations for new or transferred employees.
* Arranges for substitutes when regular staff are absent from the center.
* Conducts new employee orientation to the operations of the center and job expectations of the position held along with Human Resources.
* Plans and conducts regularly scheduled staff meetings. Maintains records of agendas, minutes of meetings and assign-in sheets.
* Recruits, assigns and assists in training volunteers and maintains appropriate records.
* Assist with parent center committee meetings and activities.
* Assess and document training needs for staff, patents and volunteers based on center needs.
* Completes and submits accurate volunteer reports to appropriate specialist and maintains record keeping and reporting of volunteer reports to Systems Specialist.
* Provides information to parents regarding educational services and other program activities.
* Recruits and recommends staff and parent/volunteers to serve on advisory and training committees.
* Recommends staff and parents/volunteers for special recognition, and maintains a record of accomplishments to support recommendations.
* Inspects the building(s) and grounds to ensure cleanliness, absence of hazardous materials/conditions and to identify needed repairs.
* Monitors maintenance worker's daily assignments.
* Prepares written reports, completes required checklists and submits them to appropriate staff.
* Conducts monthly fire and tornado drills.
* Inspects fire extinguishers and smoke detectors.
* Maintains an inventory of supplies and equipment in compliance with fiscal regulations, in conjunction with designated fiscal staff person.
* Ensures all required documentation and records (CACFP, ADA, purchase orders, attendance with CACFP forms, etc.) are maintained and/or forwarded to the appropriate Central office personnel.
* Monitors the center's weekly average daily attendance.
* Establishes and maintains good rapport and public relations with the community.
* Attends and participates in mandated administrative staff meetings, training and community activities involving the Head Start center and program.
* Training responsibilities for all staff; ensure that all team members are meeting and exceeding minimum training hours as outlined by the YMCA office.
* Prepares all other duties as assigned.

Other Significant Duties:

* Must possess the ability to respond to emergency situations as well as respond to and mediate conflict resolution between staff, parents and/or providers at the center level.
* Must be able to network and serve as the public relations liaison with the local community agencies and establish partnerships.
* Must be computer literate and be able to work flexible hours to accommodate evening meetings or training. Good written and verbal communication skills.

Effect on End Result:

This position has a primary impact on the overall effectiveness of the Early Learning department and the success of services to the community. The effectiveness of this position is primarily measured by the stated satisfaction of the team and ensuring a safe, clean, controlled and fun environment in accordance with the Metro Atlanta YMCA philosophy.

Ergonomics:

Ability to work actively outdoors and/or indoors while supervising children. Ability to climb, walk, run, stoop, squat or kneel. Ability to lift and carry equipment to appropriate destinations or affect the carrying of such equipment. Ability to use senses which enable safe supervision including seeing and/or hearing. It's fun to work in an organization where people truly BELIEVE in what they are doing!

Location:

Andrew & Walter Young Family YMCA