Child Development Center Director (Medium/Large)

Commander, Navy Installations Command•Annapolis, MD

About The Position

The Child Development Center (CDC) Director administers a medium/large center-based, developmentally appropriate early childhood program serving up to 200 or more children of eligible patrons. Depending on demand and funding availability, services may include full-time programs for children from six weeks through five years of age, emergency care, special needs care, annex-facility services, and extended-hours care. The Director oversees staff performance, child safety, program design and delivery, budgets, facility operations, and compliance with Department of War (DoW), Department of Navy (DoN), local, state, and applicable accreditation standards. The position establishes developmentally appropriate policies, procedures, curriculum, and program goals; manages financial and operational resources; maintains facilities and equipment; works with employees, parents, volunteers, and installation command personnel; and monitors inspections, accreditation, and corrective actions. The Director must have mastery-level knowledge of child development and complex center management, along with the ability to supervise staff, advise families and child-care professionals, communicate effectively, and manage program operations within available resources. Employment is contingent on applicable pre-employment requirements, including drug testing, E-Verify, a physical and immunization requirements, and security and child-care background checks. A one-year probationary period may be required. Salary depends on experience and/or education.

Requirements

A bachelor's or higher degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Elementary Education, Special Education with an early-childhood concentration, Home Economics with an early-childhood emphasis, Child Care Administration, or a related field, plus four years of full-time experience working with children and/or youth; or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
For the education-and-experience combination pathway, education must include child-related coursework totaling at least 24 higher-level semester hours, in addition to four years of full-time experience working with children and/or youth.
Mastery knowledge of child development theory, methodology, and practices, including physical, intellectual, social, and special-education needs and center management.
Mastery knowledge of child development principles and of designing and managing complex programs involving safety, security, disease prevention, employee training, developmentally appropriate activities, parent involvement, and facility management.
Knowledge of DoW, DoN, local, and state regulations, instructions, and procedures pertaining to military child care.
Knowledge of federal and state laws governing detection and prevention of child abuse and neglect.
Knowledge of facility design, functional use, and maintenance concepts pertaining to military child care.
Knowledge of financial, budget, and resource-management practices and principles, and analytical and evaluative methods and techniques.
Skill in educating, counseling, and advising child-care professionals and parents, and assessing training and children's developmental needs.
Skill in organizing and using community resources to augment the program and meet installation objectives.
Ability to analyze, plan, and adjust work operations across organizational segments to meet program requirements and objectives within available resources.
Ability to supervise others, exercise sound business skills, and provide positive personnel management.
Ability to communicate effectively in English, orally and in writing, with strong interpersonal communication skills.
Consent to pre-employment and random drug testing and successfully pass required employment verification, physical, immunization, security, and child-care background checks.
Participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Fund Transfer within the first 30 days of employment.
Meet applicable suitability requirements for individuals providing child-care services on a DON installation or in a DON-sanctioned program.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with military families and understanding of military lifestyles is preferred.

Responsibilities

Oversee program performance, employee accountability, and child safety in accordance with DoW, DoN, and local policies and standards.
Establish policies and procedures for age-appropriate developmental and educational programs that support children's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth.
Ensure implementation of developmentally appropriate programming and the established curriculum; set program goals based on patron needs, evaluation, and assessment.
Conduct studies and surveys to evaluate program effectiveness and cost efficiency.
Develop budget input, analyze budget variances, and prepare funding justifications for program resources, repairs, and facility or equipment maintenance.
Oversee collection, accounting, and reporting of patron funds; ensure financial goals are met and funds are used in accordance with regulations.
Develop, administer, and evaluate ongoing individual and group developmental and educational activities for staff implementation.
Establish systems to validate government requirements and maintain or improve operational economy and quality; contribute to and oversee implementation of CYP standard operating procedures.
Maintain facilities and grounds in accordance with applicable policies and standards; ensure security, communications, and computer systems are functioning properly.
Resolve facility and equipment issues, initiate trouble calls and work requests, determine facility adequacy and needs, and coordinate approvals for maintenance, renovations, or construction.
Establish and use satellite locations when needed to support programming, and monitor facility renovation and construction projects.
Interact professionally with employees, parents, volunteers, and installation command personnel; help resolve issues and foster positive program interactions.
Model appropriate behavior and techniques for working with adults, children, and youth; promote an environment that sustains participant interest and positive interaction.
Monitor program accreditation and DoW certification requirements and maintain programs in good standing.
Use the Inspection Management System to track inspections, evidence, extensions, exceptions, corrective actions, and follow-up.
Inspect assets, including vehicles, and ensure maintenance is scheduled and completed.
Implement corrective actions for inspection or accreditation findings, prepare responses to inspection reports, and verify resolution of discrepancies.