Find & Apply For Preschool / Childcare Director Jobs in Ocean Springs, Mississippi

POSITION SUMMARY

This position supports the mission of the Mississippi Gulf Coast YMCA by providing operational leadership and support across all Youth Services programs. The Association Floating Site Director serves as a resource to the Director of Childcare Services and Site Directors by assisting with daily operations, staffing, licensing compliance, program quality, child safety, and special projects. This position provides interim leadership at Youth Services locations as needed to ensure programs operate safely, efficiently, and in compliance with Mississippi Department of Health licensing regulations, YMCA policies, and Praesidium Child Abuse Prevention Standards.

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. Provide leadership and operational support to Youth Services programs across multiple Mississippi Gulf Coast YMCA childcare locations. 2. Provide support to program participants and staff, including curriculum development and prepares daily activities at the program sites, engages with youth in activities, works with program site on implementing curriculum, activities, assists with homework, provides supervision and models appropriate behaviors. 3. Serve as the acting Site Director during planned absences, vacancies, emergency situations, or other operational needs. 4. Assist the Director of Childcare Services with department initiatives, strategic projects, and daily operations. 5. Support Site Directors with staffing, scheduling, enrollment, licensing requirements, and overall program operations. 6. Conduct routine site visits to monitor program quality, licensing compliance, safety standards, and operational effectiveness. 7. Assist with recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and training new Youth Services employees. 8. Mentor and coach staff while reinforcing YMCA policies, procedures, and best practices. 9. Assist with the implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of Praesidium Accreditation standards, including required documentation, staff training compliance, committee initiatives, and child abuse prevention practices. 10. Ensure compliance with Mississippi Department of Health licensing regulations, YMCA policies, Praesidium standards, risk management practices, and all applicable health and safety requirements. 11. Assist with the coordination and implementation of USDA Child Nutrition and other feeding programs across Youth Services locations, ensuring compliance with program requirements and providing operational support as needed. 12. Assist with licensing inspections, accreditation reviews, audits, incident investigations, and corrective action plans. 13. Build and maintain positive, professional relationships with children, families, staff, school personnel, licensing representatives, and community partners. 14. Assist with transportation, special events, Holiday Camp, Summer Camp, Before & Afterschool Care, Preschool, emergency operations, and other association-wide Youth Services initiatives. 15. Maintain accurate records, reports, licensing documentation, and departmental records while ensuring confidentiality. 16. Travel between Mississippi Gulf Coast YMCA Youth Services locations as operational needs require. 17. Perform other duties as assigned.

YMCA COMPETENCIES

(Leader):

Mission Advancement:

Accepts and demonstrates the Ys values. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them. Supports fund-raising.

Collaboration:

Works effectively with people of diverse backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Seeks first to understand the other person's point of view and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.

Relationships:

Builds authentic relationships to enhance individual and team performance to support the Y's work.

Emotional Maturity:

Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills.

Inclusion:

Values all people for their unique talents and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence.

Decision Making:

Integrates logic, intuition, and sound judgment to analyze information to identify greatest opportunities, make sound decisions and solve problems.

Personal Growth:

Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change and seeks opportunities in the change process. Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths, and limitations and how they impact relationships.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. At least 21 years of age; 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. Must provide a current Mississippi State Department of Health Form 121 that meets all immunization requirements for licensed childcare personnel, including adult MMR requirements. 3. Must successfully complete all required Child Abuse Prevention trainings, as assigned by the Mississippi Gulf Coast YMCA, prior to working any shift and maintain all required annual recertifications. 4. Current Infant/Child CPR/First Aid/AED certification required within 30 days and must remain current throughout employment. 5. 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, Camp Regulation, Directors Orientation, Childcare Regulations I & II and must complete within the first 90 days (or at earliest available training offering through MSDH). 6. Must obtain a minimum of 15 hours of Continuing Education Units as required by the Mississippi Department of Health on a yearly basis. 7. 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.

• 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.

Pay:

From $16.50 per hour Expected hours: 40.0 per week Application Question(s): How many years have you working in Licensed Childcare? What childcare credentials do you hold? What is the highest level of education you have completed? Do you have a MS 121 Required 121 Form? This position requires approximately 30% travel between our locations, based on program needs. Are you comfortable with regularly traveling between locations and working at different sites as needed?

Work Location:

In person