Program Lead

Catalyst Family•Santa Ana, CA

About The Position

The Program Lead manages programmatic and staffing functions for one licensed Catalyst Family Inc. early care and education center, ensuring program quality and supporting agency program and people-management goals. The role oversees planning, implementation, assessment, reflection, and program requirements for school-age and/or infant/toddler programs. As a classroom and program leader, the Program Lead coaches, mentors, observes, and provides feedback to teaching staff to support high-quality programming. They ensure children receive quality staff-child interactions and are supervised in a safe, healthy environment. The position is in ratio approximately 33% of the work week, depending on center needs. The Program Lead works collaboratively with the Center Manager/Site Supervisor on enrollment, attendance, purchasing, staffing, and community relationships. The role supports inclusive, culturally responsive environments that reflect the backgrounds and experiences of children, families, and staff, and acknowledges and celebrates diversity. The Program Lead helps maintain compliance with licensing requirements, agency policies, funding conditions, health, safety and nutrition requirements, and quality standards. They lead or support program improvement, staff development, family and community partnerships, and center business operations.

Requirements

Meet one of the listed education pathways: HS degree or GED plus 15 ECE units (including 3 in administration or staff relations and core units); an AA degree plus 24 ECE/CD units, 6 administration units, and 2 adult-supervision units; or a BA plus 12 ECE/CD units, 6 administration units, and 2 adult-supervision units.
Have 2–3 years of experience in an ECE/CD setting.
Have 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 and health screening, complete a TB test, and have updated immunizations.
Demonstrate knowledge of and value for the impact of culture on child development, diversity, cultural sensitivity, and inclusion.
Demonstrate strategic thinking and planning and the ability to develop approaches and assist with implementation.
Have strong interpersonal skills, including listening, receiving feedback, and giving constructive feedback.
Show initiative, motivation, and direction, and interact with children consistently with Catalyst Family Inc.’s philosophy.
Know agency philosophy, curriculum standards, and developmentally appropriate practice, and be able to implement and model consistent program practices.
Take initiative in partnering with the community and internal departments and stay current with research and theories in early childhood education and youth fields.
Demonstrate staff management, coaching, mentoring, customer service, leadership, program quality, program implementation, people management, communication, teamwork, and budget-tracking abilities.

Nice To Haves

Site Supervisor Permit or above, or willingness/expectation 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, community members, and government agencies as needed.
Ensure documentation and processes connecting observations, lesson plans, assessments, and reviews are consistent with agency standards and values.
Share program information and assessment results, and support staff in creating, implementing, and evaluating center action plans.
Collaborate with staff to create enriched indoor and outdoor environments that address children’s diverse and cultural needs and interests and meet safety, cleanliness, maintenance, agency, and industry standards.
Assess program quality, curriculum implementation, health and safety, and licensing standards; take steps to continually improve quality and meet or exceed applicable requirements.
Fully participate in and lead QRIS for infant/toddler programs.
Maintain knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices and applicable curriculum approaches and frameworks.
Use staff observations and program 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-upon strategies with families.
Work in ratio approximately 33% of the work week, depending on center needs.
Manage a team of approximately 2–5 staff, depending on center size and enrollment; coach, support, and provide regular feedback on performance.
Conduct annual performance reviews on time and facilitate participatory team meetings.
Observe staff interactions, planned activities, and learning environments, providing immediate, useful feedback and classroom mentoring and modeling.
Train and mentor teaching staff, including reviewing weekly lesson plans and providing feedback on age-appropriate activities and curriculum implementation.
Orient and integrate new staff, communicate job expectations and agency philosophy, and support staff retention.
Develop professional growth plans with staff, provide development opportunities, align individual and team goals with agency goals, and address underperformance with corrective action plans as needed.
Pursue ongoing learning and professional development in child and youth development, curriculum, program implementation, and leadership; share relevant practices with stakeholders.
Advocate for and implement organizational changes, support team morale, mentor internal candidates, and help recruit staff through relationships and employee referrals.
Build authentic, reciprocal, culturally responsive relationships with children, youth, families, schools, communities, and center teams.
Partner with the Center Manager/Site Supervisor and staff to organize and support a parent advisory committee.
Represent Catalyst in local and school communities and participate in activities such as 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 ongoing two-way communication about daily activities, observations, child progress, education, resources, questions, and concerns.
Participate in local, regional, and statewide advocacy efforts on behalf of children and families.
Maintain compliance with agency policies and procedures and protect agency assets and resources.
Ensure center operations comply with state licensing, funding terms and conditions, Desired Results requirements, health and safety and nutrition requirements, and agency 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.
Maintain full enrollment and attendance and earn all ADE as determined by center leadership.
Identify opportunities to improve center performance, support enrollment and marketing, and follow budget and purchasing guidelines.