Program Director Jobs in Bethel, VT (NOW HIRING)

Description

Program Locations:

• Green Ridge Elementary School in Dorset, VT
• Taconic Elementary School in Manchester Center, VT
• Mettawee Community School in West Pawlet, VT

PAY: $22.00 per hour

SCHEDULE: Follows the school calendar

Afternoon Program: 2:40PM - 5:30PM

JOB STATUS: Part-time, non-exempt

Featured Benefit: Employer-Paid Childcare

Healthy Kids Programs provides childcare for school-age children (ages 5-12) enrolled in our program on the days and during the hours you work. Employer contributions cover the cost of care, so you can focus on your job while your child participates in a safe, structured, and engaging program, all without needing to arrange outside care.

About the Role

Healthy Kids Programs is seeking a Multi-Site Childcare Director to oversee after school programs across three Vermont locations.

This is a hybrid leadership + hands-on role, meaning you will both support Site Directors and staff and regularly work directly with children to maintain required staffing ratios.

You'll be responsible for ensuring high-quality programming, regulatory compliance (VT DCF), staffing stability, enrollment health, and smooth daily operations across all sites.

Why You'll Love This Role

• You will lead multiple school-based programs and play a key role in shaping program quality, staffing stability, and enrollment success across your sites.
• This role offers a balance of hands-on engagement with children and meaningful operational responsibility, including staffing, compliance, and program oversight.
• You will have real influence over how programs run day to day, while also supporting Site Directors and staff in their growth and success.
• You will join a growing organization that values leadership development and provides clear pathways for advancement.
• You will be part of a mission-driven team that understands the realities of childcare work and supports its staff with practical benefits, including employer-paid childcare during working hours.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Quality

• Ensure engaging programming aligned with the Healthy Kids Curriculum
• Conduct regular site visits and provide coaching to Site Directors and staff
• Maintain safe, inclusive, and enriching program environments
• Support corrective action plans and follow-up from VT DCF inspections
• Maintain licensing readiness and required documentation

Staffing & Operations

• Regularly work directly with children in program as part of required staff-to-child ratios across assigned sites
• Support recruitment, interviewing, onboarding, and staff coverage planning
• Manage staffing schedules to ensure compliance while controlling payroll costs
• Review employee timecards and monitor payroll accuracy
• Address staffing call-outs and operational challenges as they arise
• Ensure staff training, certifications, and documentation remain current

Enrollment & Community Engagement

• Support enrollment growth and maintain healthy program capacity
• Monitor attendance trends, waitlists, and program demand
• Participate in school community outreach and family engagement
• Build strong relationships with school administrators and community partners
• Maintain professional communication with families

Compliance & Administration

Maintain adherence to VT DCF regulations and Healthy Kids policies

• Ensure attendance and documentation are entered accurately in program systems
• Monitor staff credentials, background checks, and certification renewals
• Collaborate with HR, Payroll, Registration, and leadership teams
• Utilize Microsoft 365 tools for reporting, communication, and program management

What Success Looks Like

Successful Multi-Site Directors consistently:

• Maintain safe programs that remain fully compliant with VT DCF regulations
• Manage staffing schedules responsibly while maintaining required staff-to-child ratios
• Support healthy enrollment levels and program growth
• Ensure attendance, documentation, and reporting are accurate and timely
• Build strong relationships with school administrators, families, and staff
• Support and develop Site Directors and frontline staff to maintain high-quality programs

This Role is Ideal for Someone Who:

• Enjoys leading teams and supporting staff development
• Is highly organized and comfortable managing multiple sites
• Takes ownership of problem-solving and operational decision-making
• Communicates clearly with staff, families, and school partners
• Can balance program quality, enrollment goals, and staffing needs
• Thrives in fast-paced environments where priorities shift quickly

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Minimum age of 21 and an Bachelor's degree or higher
• Must also have ONE of the following credentials or experiences:

1. At least twelve months of direct work experience with school-age children
2. Vermont On-the-Job Training Certificate
3. Vermont Afterschool Professional Credential
4. Vermont Program Director Credential
5. Vermont Teacher Licensure
6. Master's degree in a youth-related field

Qualifications

• Prior Vermont Background Clearance and Training preferred but not required
• Demonstrated ability to create a warm, welcoming, and inclusive environment that engages and supports children, families, and staff
• Strong leadership skills, including experience supervising, training, and mentoring staff to implement high-quality programming
• Proven ability to plan and lead engaging daily activities, hands-on projects, games, arts & crafts, and themed events
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations, state guidelines, and best practices in youth supervision
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including experience interacting with families and supporting parent engagement
• Ability to support community outreach initiatives to promote programs and engage prospective families
• Maintains professionalism, reliability, and punctuality, while modeling enthusiasm, positivity, and a can-do attitude
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including bending, stretching, lifting, carrying up to 50 pounds, and actively engaging with energetic children

 PART-TIME BENEFITS: 

• Employer-paid childcare for school-age children (ages 5-12) enrolled in our program on the days and during the hours you are working with us 
• Telehealth, vision, and dental coverage 
• AFLAC supplemental plans 
• 401(k) for eligible employees 
• Paid sick time 
• On-demand pay - access earned wages before your scheduled payday for added financial flexibility 
• Career development and growth opportunities 

About Healthy Kids Programs Healthy Kids Programs is more than a childcare provider-we're shaping the future of childcare. As one of Inc. 5000's fastest-growing organizations, we provide Early Learning, Before and After School, and Summer Camp programs at more than 150 locations. As a certified Benefit Corporation, our mission is to make childcare accessible and affordable while creating meaningful opportunities for children, families, and our team members. 

Learn more about our team and culture: https://www.healthykidsprograms.com/workwithus 

Healthy Kids Programs is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion and prohibit discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic. Hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs.