Program Lead

Catalyst Family•Elk Grove, CA

22h

About The Position

The Program Lead manages programmatic and staffing aspects of one licensed early care and education center, ensuring program quality and alignment with Catalyst Family Inc.’s program and people-management goals. The role oversees planning, implementation, assessment, reflection, and program requirements for school-age and/or infant/toddler children. Program Leads lead classrooms and programs, coach and mentor teaching staff, and ensure children receive quality interactions and are supervised in a safe, healthy environment. They collaborate with the Center Manager/Site Supervisor on enrollment, attendance, purchasing, and community relationships. The position is in ratio approximately 33% of the work week, depending on center needs. The Program Lead promotes an environment that acknowledges and celebrates the diversity of staff, children, and families, and creates classroom environments reflecting their backgrounds and experiences. The role leads program quality, staff development, family and community partnerships, compliance, and business management for the center. It manages a team of approximately 2–5 staff, depending on center size and enrollment. The minimum education requirement may vary based on state and center requirements. Options include a high school diploma or GED with 15 ECE units (including 3 in administration or staff relations and core units); an associate degree with 24 ECE/CD units, 6 administration units, and 2 adult-supervision units; or a bachelor’s degree with 12 ECE/CD units, 6 administration units, and 2 adult-supervision units. A Site Supervisor Permit or higher is preferred, or the candidate is expected to acquire a Site Supervisor permit upon hire. Continuing education to meet professional growth standards is required. Candidates need 2–3 years of experience in an ECE/CD setting and at least 1 year mentoring or leading other adults or teaching staff. They must complete Child Care Center Part II Orientation and Mandated Reporter training, and pass criminal record clearance, health screening, and TB testing, with updated immunizations. The schedule is Monday through Friday, with flexible scheduling between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. The position offers medical, dental, and vision benefits; a 401(k) retirement plan; an Employee Assistance Program; a Personal Health Advocate; paid vacation, sick time, and holidays; a commuter pre-tax benefit; discounted childcare; Calm app access; Tickets at Work discounts; and training and professional-growth advisory support.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED with 15 ECE units, including 3 units in administration or staff relations and core units; OR an associate degree with 24 ECE/CD units, 6 units in administration, and 2 units in adult supervision; OR a bachelor’s degree with 12 ECE/CD units, 6 units in administration, and 2 units in adult supervision. Minimums may vary by state and center requirements.
2–3 years of experience in an ECE/CD setting.
At least 1 year of experience mentoring and leading other adults or teaching staff.
Complete Child Care Center Part II Orientation Certificate and Mandated Reporter training.
Pass criminal record clearance, health screening, and TB test, and have updated immunizations.
Knowledge of the impact of culture on child development and commitment to diversity, cultural sensitivity, and inclusivity.
Ability to provide strategic approaches and assist with implementation.
Strong interpersonal skills, including listening, receiving feedback, and providing constructive feedback to peers and staff.
Initiative, motivation, and direction.
Ability to interact with children consistently with Catalyst Family Inc.’s philosophy.
Knowledge of agency philosophy, curriculum standards, and developmentally appropriate practice, and ability to implement and role-model program practices and standards.
Ability to partner appropriately with the community and internal departments.
Ability to stay current with research and theories in early childhood education and youth fields.
Demonstrated ability to manage staff, coach, and mentor.
Effective customer service, leadership, strategic thinking, planning, interpersonal communication, and team communication skills.
Ability to manage program quality and implementation, people management, and track and follow a budget.
Team-player mentality.
Continuing education to meet professional growth standards.

Nice To Haves

Site Supervisor Permit or higher, or willingness to acquire a Site Supervisor permit upon hire.
Working knowledge of staffing and marketing communication.
Proficiency in a second language.

Responsibilities

Communicate Catalyst Family Inc.’s vision, mission, philosophy, and curriculum approaches to staff, parents, school personnel, the community, and government agencies as needed.
Ensure learning documentation, observations, lesson plans, assessments, and reviews align with the agency’s mission, values, philosophy, and position statements.
Share program information and assessment results; mentor and role-model for teachers; and support development, implementation, and evaluation of center action plans.
Collaborate with center staff to create enriched indoor and outdoor environments that are safe, clean, well maintained, and responsive to children’s diverse and cultural needs and interests.
Assess program quality, curriculum implementation, health and safety, and licensing standards, and take steps to continuously improve quality and meet or exceed external standards.
Fully participate in and lead QRIS for infant/toddler programs.
Use staff observations and assessment tools to work with staff on child growth plans.
Partner with center leadership and staff to follow Catalyst’s Positive Behavior Approach and support agreed strategies with family members.
Work in ratio approximately 33% of the work week, depending on center needs.
Manage a team of approximately 2–5 staff, proactively manage performance, and provide regular coaching, support, and feedback.
Conduct annual performance reviews on time and facilitate participatory team meetings.
Observe staff interactions, planned activities, and learning environments; give useful feedback and provide classroom mentoring and modeling.
Train and mentor teaching staff, review weekly lesson plans, observe curriculum implementation, and provide constructive feedback.
Orient and integrate new staff, set clear job expectations, and support staff retention.
Communicate the agency’s mission and philosophy, align individual and team goals with agency goals, and hold staff accountable to performance expectations.
Develop professional growth plans with staff and co-develop and implement corrective action plans when needed.
Pursue relevant training and professional development, implement appropriate practices, and share learning with stakeholders.
Advocate for and implement organizational changes, nurture team spirit, maintain morale, and mentor internal candidates.
Encourage staff to recruit and help recruit new employees through relationships with families, schools, and communities.
Build authentic, reciprocal, and culturally responsive relationships with children, youth, families, schools, communities, and center teams.
Support a parent advisory committee in partnership with the Center Manager/Site Supervisor and other staff.
Represent the agency in local and school-community activities, including PBIS and IEP meetings and PTO events.
Assess community needs, involve community members in planning, and adjust programs and services accordingly.
Partner with families through open communication, ongoing two-way discussions about activities and child progress, shared decision-making, and provision of parent education and community resources.
Participate in local, regional, and statewide advocacy for children and families.
Maintain compliance with agency policies and procedures and protect agency resources.
Ensure center operations comply with licensing regulations, funding terms and conditions, Desired Results requirements, health, safety and nutrition requirements, and agency policies and quality tools.
Ensure staff schedules meet required adult-to-child ratios.
Forecast staffing needs and partner with Recruiting on interviews and hiring.
Partner with the Center Manager/Site Supervisor on staffing schedules and purchasing for classrooms and the center, as appropriate.
Maintain full enrollment and attendance and earn all ADE as determined by the center leadership team.
Identify ways to improve center performance, support enrollment and marketing, and follow budget and purchasing guidelines.