Child Development Center Director (Small)

Commander, Navy Installations Command•Bremerton, WA

About The Position

The Child Development Center (CDC) Director administers a small or medium center-based, developmentally appropriate early childhood program serving up to 100 children of eligible patrons. Depending on demand and available funding, services may include full-time care for children ages six weeks through five years, emergency care, special needs care, annex facility services, and extended-hours care. The Director oversees child development programming, staff performance, child safety, budgets and funds, personnel, program operations, and regulatory compliance. The position works with families, employees, community organizations, and other Child and Youth Programs (CYP) leaders to ensure services meet community needs and applicable standards. The Director serves as a mandatory reporter to Family Advocacy and Child Protective Services. A complete list of duties and responsibilities will be provided at the time of hire.

Requirements

At least three years of full-time experience working with children and/or youth, together with the required education or an acceptable combination of education and experience.
Mastery of child development theory, methodology, and practices addressing physical, intellectual, social, and special education needs, as well as center management.
Mastery of child development principles and the ability to design and manage a complex program covering safety, security, disease prevention, employee training, developmentally appropriate activities, parent involvement, and facility management.
Knowledge of DoD, DON, local, and state regulations, instructions, and procedures relating to military child care.
Knowledge of and skill in applying federal and state laws governing detection and prevention of child abuse and neglect.
Knowledge of facility design, functional use, and maintenance concepts, and applicable child care regulations and procedures.
Knowledge of financial management, budgeting, and purchasing for a child development program.
Ability to communicate effectively in English orally and in writing, with strong interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to identify and respond to emergencies, including evacuations, child illness, and physical or emotional disorders.
Ability to supervise others, exercise sound business skills, and provide positive personnel management.
Meet one of the stated education pathways: a bachelor's degree in a related field and three years of full-time experience working with children and/or youth; a master's degree in a related field and at least one year of professional experience working with children; or a combination of related education and experience that includes child-related coursework and at least 24 higher-level semester hours, plus three years of full-time experience working with children and/or youth.
Submit a copy of a high school diploma, GED, or college transcripts showing degree awarded or conferred when applying.
Successfully pass E-Verify employment verification; resolve any discrepancies as a condition of employment.
Pass a pre-employment physical, provide evidence of immunization, be free of communicable diseases, and obtain appropriate immunizations against communicable diseases.
Obtain and maintain an appropriate security clearance as needed.
Submit to pre-employment and random drug testing as a condition of employment.
Complete required training certificates and maintain certifications or credentials required by federal, state, or national accreditation institutions used by DoD Child and Youth Programs.
Complete the Installation Records Check required of individuals involved in child care services on a DON installation or in a DON-sanctioned program.
Meet applicable background-check suitability requirements for DoD child care services programs.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Oversee developmentally appropriate programming that supports children's social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth.
Ensure employee performance and child safety comply with Department of Defense, Department of Navy, and local policies and standards.
Develop and analyze surveys and needs assessments of staff and patrons to guide programming and operating hours.
Maintain current statistical data for planning and reporting, maximizing available spaces, and aligning resources with command personnel needs.
Maintain liaison with local institutions and community organizations to stay informed about community trends and changes.
Develop budget input, analyze budget variances, and justify funding for program resources, facility repairs, and equipment maintenance.
Oversee collection, accounting, and reporting of patron funds; ensure compliance with appropriated and nonappropriated fund regulations and authorized acquisition methods.
Supervise employees and volunteers, which may include an Assistant Director, Program Leaders, Program Assistants, Operations Clerks, cooks, food service workers, custodians, and, where applicable, a CDC Program Supervisor.
Oversee timely personnel actions and quality in selection, assignments, training, promotions, discipline, and recognition.
Support and communicate established equal employment opportunity objectives and policies in personnel management.
Oversee staffing schedules in accordance with child-to-adult ratios and group sizes; coordinate employees shared across CYP programs with other installation CYP Directors and avoid overstaffing.
Set local performance standards, evaluate employee and volunteer performance, provide guidance on compliance and management directives, and resolve personnel complaints, taking disciplinary action when needed.
Work with the Training and Curriculum Specialist to identify training needs, arrange and assess training, ensure competency-based training supports career progression, and encourage continuing education, including CDA credentials or college-level classes.
Contribute to CYP standard operating procedures and ensure their implementation.
Work with other CYP Directors to establish and implement a combined Parent Involvement Board involving parents and representatives from applicable programs.
Contribute to CYP employee and parent handbooks and ensure their distribution.
Collaborate with the person responsible for maintaining the Central Waiting List.
Obtain and retain DoD certification and NAEYC accreditation; implement recommendations and correct deficiencies identified through inspections or accreditation visits.
Ensure implementation of the established curriculum and policies and procedures that support compliance with applicable standards.
Ensure food service operations provide nutritionally balanced meals and snacks in accordance with USDA guidelines.
Serve as a mandatory reporter to Family Advocacy and Child Protective Services.