JOB PURPOSE:
Accomplishes the Child Care Program's objectives by planning, organizing, and supervising all functions required to operate and maintain the Child Care Center in accordance with current statues, regulations, policies and procedures. Provides professional child care and instruction, day care and child development program planning and implementation, and day to day supervision and direction for the child care workers in the Center.
This position description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, and abilities. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required or assigned to this position.
JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Oversees the operation of the program and Child Care Center. Ensures development and implementation a curriculum that supports appropriate physical, emotional, developmental, nutritional, and cultural development.
- Establishes implements and communicates goals, objectives, policies and procedures in accordance with Federal, State, and Navajo Nation laws, regulations, ordinances and regulatory agencies.
- Achieves financial objectives by assisting in preparing the annual budget and proposal, inclusive of operational plans and objectives; recommending staffing and expenditures.
- Prepares grants and secures additional funding and grant monies for continuation and expansion of program services.
- Coordinates program activities, services and needs with other local, governmental or private providers.
- Bills and collects child care service fees. Verifies payment and deposit amounts and forwards to accounting for processing; maintains inventory of supplies and purchases materials and equipment as needed.
- Ensures and inspects center facilities and playground areas are safe and sanitation standards are met.
- Facilitates required trainings for certification and continuing education for Center.
- Ensures provider information, parent authorization and attendance reports is accurate and up to date.
- Determines parent/family eligibility based on income, family size and other related factors associated with the funding source being utilized.
- Performs initial interviews with potential providers, parents, and program applicants.
- Oversees the Child Care Food Program at the Center
- Meets with parents, ensures that they are aware of their rights and responsibilities as parents of center students, reviews and interprets child progress reports, counsels and trains parents on child development matters, elicits parent concerns, and implements corrective actions as needed.
- Responds to crisis situations and makes referral to appropriate Departments as necessary.
- Contributes to department's effectiveness by identifying short-term and long-range issues and goals that must be addressed; providing information and commentary pertinent to deliberations; recommending options and courses of actions; implementing directives.
- Keeps Administration and other departments informed of status of Childcare Program activities by attending meetings and submitting reports.
- Maintains professional and technical knowledge by conducting research, attending seminars, educational workshops, classes and conferences; reviewing professional publications; establishing networks; participating in professional societies; conferring with representatives of contracting agencies and related organizations.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Hosts regular staff meetings to ensure communication among personnel regarding departmental activities.
- Oversees the supervision of staff, including work allocation, scheduling, training, and problem resolution.
- Increases Center's staff effectiveness by recruiting, hiring, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, evaluation and disciplining, and terminating personnel appropriately; communicates values, strategies, and objectives.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood or related field.
- Three years' experience in administering child care programs, one year in a supervisory capacity.
- Child Development Associate certificate.
- Current Food Handlers Permit.
- First Aid and CPR Certificate.
- Valid and clean state driver's license.
- Must be able to pass background check, with NO prior convictions of any felonies and no history of child abuse and/or neglect.
The Navajo Nation Preference in Employment Act applies to all hiring, promotions or transfers of individuals into this position.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY REQUIREMENTS:
- Knowledge of applicable federal, state, county and local laws, regulations, and requirements.
- Knowledge of department organization, functions, objectives, policies and procedures.
- Knowledge of early childhood development, diet and nutrition guidelines.
- Knowledge of budget preparation.
- Knowledge of State Child Care Certification Regulations.
- Skill in operating various word-processing, spreadsheets, and database software programs in a Windows environment.
- Skill in preparing, reviewing, and analyzing operational and financial reports.
- Skill in supervising, training, and evaluating assigned staff.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment, analyze and solve problems.
- Ability to work independently and meet strict time lines.
- Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports.
- Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to prepare grants and contracts.
- Ability to communicate effectively in the Navajo and English language.
- Ability to interact and maintain good working relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds.
- Ability to be persuasive and tactful in controversial situations.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently stand, walk, bend, stoop, and squat.
- Use hands for dexterity of motion, repetitive movement of both hands.
- Have normal auditory, visual acuity, and verbal communications skills.
- The employee must occasionally lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Work is typically performed within an office and childcare/nursery setting with a moderate to loud noise level.
- Exposure to unpleasant odors, hazardous material and infectious disease.
- Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common.
- Evening and/or weekend work may be required. Extended hours and irregular shifts may be required.