Preschool Director Position Available In Jackson, Mississippi

Preschool Director Mississippi Gulf Coast YMCA Inc 1904 Government Street, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Through managing staff, implementing age-appropriate activities, and positively interacting with children, parents, and families, the Site Director will model and promote the four core values of the

YMCA:

caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. By providing these services, the Site Director is committed and obligated to practice confidentiality and to always protect personal and health information.

OUR CULTURE

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day.

We are welcoming:

we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become.

We are genuine:

we value you and embrace your individuality.

We are hopeful:

we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing we support you in your journey to develop your full potential.

We are determined:

above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger, beginning with you.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Manages, directs, and coordinates the preschool childcare program. Ensures high quality program and establishes new program activities. Expands program within the community in accordance with strategic and operating plans. 2. Keeps current with innovation and changes in the field, chooses curriculum and assessment tools for early education programs, trains staff and ensures the implementation of the designated curriculum, screening, and assessment tools. 3. Recruits, hires, trains, develops, schedules, and directs personnel and volunteers as needed. Reviews and evaluates staff performance. Develops strategies to motivate staff and achieve goals. 4. Develops, manages, and controls budgets related to the position. Ensures program operates within budget and that program fees are collected. Supports and budgets for healthy eating through coaching, mentoring, and monitoring menu quality. 5. Assures compliance with federal, state and local regulations as they relate to program areas, including ADA accommodations where appropriate. Ensures that YMCA program standards are met, and safety procedures followed. 6. Provides for upkeep of assigned program facilities and equipment and ensures the physical environment supports healthy living. 7. Develops and maintains relationships with state childcare licensing agency, school administration, parent groups and other organizations and agencies related to assigned programs. Responds to all agency, parent and community inquiries and complaints in a timely manner. 8. Provides staff leadership for annual fund-raising campaign and committees as assigned. 9. Maintains proper records/department files. 10. Organizes dedicated events for parents. 11. Abide by and follow YMCA Dress Code. 12. Review and maintain YMCA Child Abuse Prevention standards and safety guidelines, including non-use of cell phones during work shifts, no off-duty babysitting, and ensuring that children are appropriately always supervised. Report violations of these standards and guidelines to supervisor immediately. 13. Coordinates and/or attends all appropriate association-wide childcare trainings; coordinates early learning trainings. 14. Assists in the marketing and distribution of program information. 15. Compiles program statistics. Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of and participation in program. 16. Communicates regularly with assigned Childcare Services Director and CEO regarding Early Education Programs 17. Ability to create and work in a Christian environment so that each camper has the opportunity for spiritual growth; further the Mission and Values of the YMCA (

Mission:

To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.) 18. Performs other duties as assigned.

YMCA COMPETENCIES

(Team Leader):

Mission Advancement :

Models and teaches the Ys values. Ensures a high level of service with a commitment to changing lives. Provides volunteers with orientation, training, development, and recognition. Cultivates relationships to support fund-raising.

Collaboration :

Champions inclusion activities, strategies, and initiatives. Builds relationships to create small communities. Empathetically listens and communicates for understanding when negotiating and dealing with conflict. Effectively tailors’ communications to the appropriate audience. Provides staff with feedback, coaching, guidance, and support.

Operational Effectiveness :

Provides others with frameworks for making decisions. Conducts prototypes to support the launching of programs and activities. Develops plans and manages best practices through engagement of team. Effectively creates and manages budgets. Holds staff accountable for high-quality results using a formal process to measure progress.

Personal Growth :

Shares new insights. Facilitates change, models adaptability and an awareness of the impact of change. Utilizes non-threatening methods to address sensitive issues and inappropriate behavior or performance. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, childcare, special education, psychology (with emphasis on child psychology), or family and consumer sciences (with emphasis on child development), or equivalent degree from another child-related field or course of study. OR A two-year associate degree from an accredited community or junior college in child development technology which must include a minimum of 480 hours of practical training, supervised by college instructors, in a college operated childcare learning laboratory. OR Two years paid experience as a caregiver in a licensed child care facility, and either (1) a current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential from the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition (CECPR), or (2) a Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) Division of Early Childhood Care and Development (DECCD) Child Care Director’s Credential or

MDHS OCY

Child Care Director’s Credential, or (3) 24 semester hours credit with a grade of “C” or better from an accredited college or university in courses specific to early childhood. 2. Required trainings within 30 Days –

Y-USA Online Trainings:

The Y & Your New Employee Orientation, The Y’s Way to Service & Engagement, Orientation to Healthy Living, Introduction to The Y’s Cause and Culture, Foundations of Listen First, Orientation To Diversity, Inclusion & Global; Registration required within first 30 days for

MSDH Trainings:

Health & Safety Regulation, Playground Regulation, Infant and Toddlers Regulation, Directors Orientation, Childcare Regulations I & II and must complete within the first 90 days (or at earliest available training offering through MSDH). 3. Oversee recruitment, selection, and supervision of staff at assigned location. Conduct regular staff training and meetings to develop high-functioning team members. 4. One to two years related experience preferred, as a coordinator or supervisor of childcare programs. 5. Typical requirements within 30 days of hire include completion of: Child Abuse Prevention for Supervisory Staff; Working with Program Volunteers; CPR; First Aid; AED; Bloodborne Pathogens. 6. Fulfillment of state-specific hiring standards (if any) and completion of YMCA program specific certifications (list). 7. Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community. 8. Understands the YMCA is a public accommodation committed to inclusion and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 9. Must obtain a minimum of 15 hours of Continuing Education Units as required by the Mississippi Department of Health on a yearly basis. 10. Ability to create and work in a Christian environment so that each camper has the opportunity for spiritual growth; further the Mission and Values of the YMCA (

Mission:

To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.)

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Walking, Squatting, Climbing, Hearing, Standing, Pushing (50 lbs.), Lifting (50 lbs.), Sitting, pulling (50lbs), Speech, and Vision.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer and phone/smart device.
• The employee frequently is required to sit and reach and must be able to move around the work environment.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Ability to plan, lead and participate in a range of activities in a variety of outdoor/indoor settings.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$17.50 – $19.00 per hour

Benefits:

Childcare Dental insurance Employee discount Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Schedule:

Day shift Monday to Friday Morning shift

Work Location:

In person