Assistant Director of Early Childhood Learning
Classification: Exempt
Department: Preschool
Reports To: Director of Early Childhood Learning
Position Purpose
The Assistant Director of Early Childhood Learning is foundational in the success of the preschool. Success being that each child, teacher and parent feel a sense of belonging, safety and healthy growth, even though most of the tasks are unseen. The Assistant Director’s presence sets an expectation that SCI is professional and that we care about strong, safe relationships. This position will assist in directing the preschool team to meet the goals of the Science Center of Iowa preschool program and must have supervisory and management skills along with prior teaching and administration background.
Responsibilities
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation, and perform other duties as assigned.
- Assist with hiring and train, coach and develop preschool associate and part time teachers
- Track expenses and assist with budget management; address any variances in a timely manner
- Maintain and manage confidential student files and other confidential information as required
- Responsible for assisting with the management of the day-to-day operations of the department; maintain an organized and safe working environment
- Create and manage teachers’ schedules to always ensure appropriate levels of staffing
- Maintain SCI’s NAEYC requirements for accreditation standards
- Work with State of Iowa and DMPS to ensure compliance with Universal Pre-K requirements
- Lead teacher responsibilities
- Maintain current credentials for preschool staff to operate under specific agency regulations and guidelines such as HHS, NAEYC and DMPS
- Maintain CPR/1st aid trainer certification and carry out annually training for all SCI staff
- Lead and provide general guidance to volunteers on a day-to-day basis when they are serving in the same functional area to proactively support creating an effective and engaging experience for all volunteers, team members and participants
- Meet and greet families and children daily at arrival and departure times
- Accommodate schedule changes and cover staff when needed (this includes in the classroom and in office)
- Assist with inter-departmental requests and cooperation when needed
- Assist in reviewing and approving timecards and time off requests.
- Maintain and support quality safety, supervision and program components of SCI Preschool
- Please note this job description does not contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job; duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice
Supervisory Responsibility
This position supervises employees in the Preschool department. Supervisory responsibilities include interviewing and hiring, assigning and directing daily work, conducting performance reviews and providing developmental feedback, facilitating conflict resolution and taking corrective action with employees when deemed appropriate based on performance or conduct.
Education, Experience and/or Other Requirements
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in early education or related field
- Minimum 2 years of management/leadership experience
- Maintain current First Aid, Universal Precautions, CPR, and Mandatory Reporter credentials
- Teaching experience in the public school system and/or preschool teaching experience
- Acquire 10 continuing education hours each year
- Current in the latest research-based practices regarding the preschool child
- Strong teaching and instructional coaching skills
- Has a passion and love for all young children and their families
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Effective problem-solving skills and strong organizational skills
- Impeccable judgment and ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced, dynamic setting
- Trustworthy and of high integrity, showing high respect for confidential information
- Pass a physical examination and TB test every two years
- Successfully pass a background check and DCI fingerprinting
Preferred
- Master’s degree and/or relevant experience in Administration
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. This position is primarily focused on time with children and will require prolonged periods of standing and walking throughout the program space. The employee will also need to sit and stand on the floor throughout the day, and bend, kneel, stoop, crawl and crouch to be at eye level with children. The employee may be required to regularly lift and/or move items up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.
Hours & Work Schedule
Hours will vary based on business needs and may include days, evenings, weekends and holidays. Primarily a Monday through Friday schedule. Occasional travel may be required.
To Apply
Email your resume and completed application materials to scihr@sciowa.org.