Description:
$62,500/year
Monday-Friday; some evenings and weekends
A Career with a Cause:
We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and grow. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.
Our purpose is to strengthen the foundations of communities and families through our key areas of focus: youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. We are committed to these causes because a strong community is achieved when we invest in our children, health, neighbors, and values. Historically founded on the Christian principles of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility; our mission is to put these principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
We are for ALL.
Position Summary:
This position supports the mission and work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization. The Director of Early Learning at the YMCA of Central New York is responsible for the success of all aspects of the Early Learning Child Care programs and facilities of assigned branch and develops and implements child care related programs that will promote membership growth and retention and increase program enrollment. Fosters a supportive, positive atmosphere that welcomes and respects all individuals and provides direct leadership, instruction, motivation, safety, and enjoyment for Child Care participants and staff. The Director of Early Learning assures the well-being for each participant and staff in line with YMCA of the USA guidelines and association policies in accordance with their training.
Essential Functions:
โขModels the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
โขDevelops and maintains positive relationships with individuals and groups at all levels of the organization; supporting members connect with each other and the YMCA.
โขMaintains physical presence, always remains alert while on duty.
โขKnows and reviews all emergency procedures and responds to emergency situations immediately in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures; completes related reports as required.
โขResponsible for overall supervision and support of Early Learning childcare staff and volunteers, and follows and implements policies and procedures.
โขCommunicates and cooperates with other Directors to coordinate facility and program needs.
โขOversees all Child Care/Early Learning department changes and communicates effectively.
โขKnows, follows, and enforces all YMCA policies, rules, regulations, procedures, and staff expectations, including those for the prevention of child abuse.
โขAmbassador of all YMCA programs with a focus on department offerings and member engagement.
โขPerforms equipment checks and ensures appropriate equipment is available as needed. Clean and store equipment per branch procedures.
โขAttends all mandatory meetings and trainings.
โขIs willing to step up, even if outside of the position description, to contribute to the overall success of the YMCA.
YMCA Leadership Competencies:
โขEngaging Community: Builds bridges with others in the community to ensure the Yโs work is community-focused and welcoming of all, providing community benefit.
โขCritical Thinking & Decision Making: Makes informed decisions based on logic, data, and sound judgment.
โขCommunication & Influence: Listens and expresses self effectively and in such a way that engages, inspires, and builds commitment to the Yโs cause.
โขProgram/Project Management: Ensures program or project goals are met and intended impact occurs.
โขDeveloping Self & Others: Develops self and supports others (e.g., staff, volunteers, members, program participants), both formally and informally, to achieve their highest potential.
Requirements:
Experience, Education, and Qualifications:
A.Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent experience
B.YMCA Team Leader certification preferred
C.One to two years related experience preferred (e.g., Child Care coordinator or supervisor)
D.Must meet the requirements for Director of Site per Office of Children and Family Services description.
E.Must be at least 20 years of age.
F.Must have at least one of the following (A or B):
A.1. At least 1080 hours of documented supervised experience over a nine-month period, including working with children in a program with these standards or comparable standards. Programs must serve same ages and developmental stages as those served in this program. 2. Twelve (12) credits in early childhood education or child development, elementary education, recreation, group social work, or a related field from an accredited institution of higher education with program approval from a Board of Governors of Higher Education.
B.1. A bachelorโs degree in early childhood education or child development.
2. At least 360 hours of documented supervised experience with unrelated children of the same ages to be served and with these or comparable standards plus at least one semester of student teaching with children of same ages/developmental stages as those to be served.
โขUpon hire must have documentation of a physical examination and a TB Tine Test, to be repeated every two years.
โขMust submit Office of Children and Family Services licensed paperwork, including background check and fingerprinting forms within 30 days of hire
โขAbility to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community
โขBudgeting experience preferred
โขKnowledge of Child Care programs, YMCA preferred
โขProven track record of building program participation and relationships with members, participants, families, staff, and volunteers
โขExcellent interpersonal skills are critical and essential to the success of this position
โขDemonstrates excellent planning, organizational, time management, and attention to detail skills, with the ability to multi-task with minimal direction
โขPossesses and demonstrates excellent customer service, decision-making, problem solving, team oriented, and critical
โขthinking skills.
โขDemonstrates leadership skills in an outgoing, friendly, assertive, professional, and mature manner
โขEffective communication skills necessary to inform, counsel, motivate, and support members and staff
โขMust be observant, safety-conscious, and able to react calmly and quickly in an emergency
โขAble to work flexible schedules
Trainings & Certifications:
โขMust complete annual safety, combating sexual-harassment, and child abuse prevention trainings assigned by human resources prior to direct service.
โขMust have current CPR and First Aid within the first 30 days of employment
โขAdministration of Medications certification must be obtained within 60 days of hire and maintained.
โขContinue professional development as outlined in the Office of Children and Family Services licensing requirements (complete hours of training equal to or greater than 20% of hours worked) as well as any/all training required by the YMCA and other accrediting agencies.
โขYMCA Team Leader certification preferred within two years.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
โขWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
โขThe employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to type, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
โขSpecific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
โขPosition requires sitting for extended periods of time and repetitive data entry.
โขAbility to conduct classes and activities and perform all physical aspects of the position.
Work Environment:
This job operates in a recreational and/or educational environment. This role routinely uses standard recreation and/or office equipment. At times, employees may be exposed to undesirable working conditions, communicable infectious diseases, and risk of injury from others. All employees are required to always follow the preventative health policies of the YMCA. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.