Child Development Center Director

Commander, Navy Installations Command•San Diego, CA

About The Position

The Child Development Center (CDC) Director administers a medium- to large-sized, developmentally appropriate early childhood program serving more than 200 children of eligible patrons. Depending on demand and available funding, services may include full-time programs for children ages six weeks through five years, emergency care, special needs care, annex-facility services, and extended-hours care. The Director oversees employees, child safety, curriculum, program operations, budgets and finances, facility operations, and compliance with Department of War (DoW), Department of Navy (DoN), and local policies and standards. The position develops and oversees age-appropriate programs that support children's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. It manages program resources and funding, maintains facilities and equipment, and works with employees, parents, volunteers, and installation command personnel. The Director also maintains accreditation and certification, addresses inspection findings, and ensures compliance with applicable military childcare policies and regulations. Candidates must meet the stated education and experience criteria through either a qualifying bachelor's or higher degree and four years of full-time experience working with children and/or youth, or an education-and-experience combination that includes at least 24 higher-level semester hours in a child-related field and three years of full-time experience. The position is a Test Designated Position and requires pre-employment and random drug testing, an employment verification check, a pre-employment physical, immunization evidence, and any required security clearance. Childcare suitability checks are also required.

Requirements

A bachelor's or higher degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Elementary Education, Special Education with an Early Childhood Education 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: education must include child-related courses and at least 24 higher-level semester hours, and the applicant must have three years of full-time experience working with children and/or youth.
Mastery of child development theory, methodology, and practices relating to physical, intellectual, social, and special education needs and center management.
Mastery 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 concerning military childcare.
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 childcare.
Knowledge of financial, budget, and resource management practices and principles, and analytical and evaluative methods and techniques.
Skill in educating, counseling, and advising childcare professionals and parents, and assessing training and children's developmental needs.
Skill in organizing and using community resources to support program and installation objectives.
Ability to analyze, plan, and adjust work operations across one or more organizational segments to meet program 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, and strong interpersonal communication skills.
Consent to pre-employment and random drug testing for this Test Designated Position.
Successfully pass E-Verify employment verification; discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of employment.
Pass a pre-employment physical, provide evidence of immunization, be free of communicable diseases, and obtain appropriate immunization against communicable diseases.
Obtain and maintain an appropriate security clearance as needed.
Participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Fund Transfer within the first 30 days of employment.
Complete the Installation Records Check required for individuals providing childcare services on a DoN installation or in a DoN-sanctioned program.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Oversee the performance of employees and the safety of children in a CDC serving more than 200 enrolled children, in accordance with applicable DoW, DoN, and local policies and standards.
Establish policies and procedures for age-appropriate individual and group developmental and educational programs.
Ensure implementation of developmentally appropriate programs and established curricula that foster children's social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth.
Set higher-level program goals and apply child development principles and DoN policies in response to patron needs and program evaluation.
Evaluate program effectiveness and cost efficiency through studies and surveys.
Develop budget input, analyze budget variances, and justify funding for program resources, repairs, and facility or equipment maintenance.
Oversee collection, accounting, and reporting of patron funds; ensure financial goals and applicable appropriated and nonappropriated fund regulations are met.
Develop, administer, and evaluate ongoing individual and group activities for staff to implement.
Establish organizational review systems to validate government needs and maintain or improve operational economy and quality.
Provide input into CYP standard operating procedures and oversee their implementation.
Ensure facilities and grounds are maintained in accordance with applicable policies and standards.
Ensure CCTV, intercoms, telecommunications, security and egress points, and computer systems function properly; follow protocols for resolving issues and reporting faulty equipment.
Assess facility adequacy and needs; initiate work requests and coordinate approvals for maintenance, renovation, 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 local installation command personnel; participate in resolving issues.
Promote a program environment that sustains participant interest and positive interactions, and model appropriate behaviors and techniques for working with adults, children, and youth.
Monitor accreditation and DoW certification standing and ensure requirements are met.
Use the Inspection Management System (IMS) 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 arising from inspections or accreditation visits, prepare inspection report responses, and follow up on resolution of discrepancies.
Comply with DoW, DoN, local, state, and applicable accreditation policies, standards, regulations, and procedures.