Assistant Site Director 3 to 5

About the role

Assist in managing all areas of comprehensive the early education program for children and families, including program leadership, educational leadership, and compliance monitoring. Responsible for the operation of the child development program in the absence of the Site Director.

Responsibilities

• Contributes to the development of the center’s education plan and agency’s child development philosophy and goals.
• Aid in the development of a quality program that meets the needs of children, families, and staff.
• Ensure compliance with all city, state, and federal regulations.
• Aid in the development of site improvement/action plans, as needed.
• Manage and operate the site in the Director's absence.
• Maintain appropriate classroom coverage to maintain required teacher-child ratios.
• Recruit, register, and enroll eligible children including 10% of children with disabilities at agency sites; maintain at least a 10% waiting list for each site.
• Provide center tours to parents and partners interested in the program.
• Establish positive, professional relationships with Chicago Commons' staff, the surrounding community, and funders.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with children and families using a strength-based approach that is respectful, supportive, and culturally sensitive.
• Ensure classroom teams are creating an atmosphere in which children develop socially, emotionally, intellectually, and physically.
• Aid in the development and implementation of lesson plans and reviews all lesson plans.
• Ensure all social emotional, developmental, vision and hearing screenings are completed with the 45 day timelines.
• Monitor ongoing observation assessments in Teaching Strategies GOLD and provide feedback to enhance child outcomes.
• Aid in the implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)/Individual Family Service Plans (IFSPs) and differentiate planning and instruction for all children.
• Aid in the referral process and provider observations for children with disabilities and ensure required documentation is completed.
• Oversee site's efforts for serving children with disabilities including referrals, provider's observations and required documentation.
• Ensure the Reggio Emilia philosophy is implemented consistently and monitor consistent use of the Studios.
• Maintain quality program that meets NAEYC and Excelerate GOLD requirements.
• Aid in the supervision and training of staff as designated by the Site Director.
• Complete annual performance evaluations for staff as designated by the Site Director.
• Aid in recruiting and hiring qualified staff members.
• Aid in new staff orientation/onboarding.
• Support staff in developing and achieving goals as outlined in professional development planning.
• Assure continuity of care in 0-3 classrooms.
• Aid in planning parent meetings and family events.
• Participate in family meetings, as needed.
• Collaborate with the Site Director to plan field trips and other special events.
• Prepare written reports as requested.
• Aid in ensuring the center environment is clean and safe.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must have deep knowledge of best-practices in early education.
• Must have a deep understanding of developmentally appropriate practices in early education.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and manage many projects at once.
• Must have knowledge of supervision and/or supervisory experience.
• Must be able to work under stress.
• Must be able to use supervision effectively.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality.
• Must have outstanding people skills and ability to develop, grow, and maintain relationships with others.
• Must have excellent oral and written skills in English.
• Must be able to take initiative, use sound judgement when making decisions.
• Must be detail oriented.
• Must be a self-motivated person who can work both individually and on a team.
• Must be able to serve as an advocate for children and families.
• Knowledge of Head Start and Early Head Start, Creative Curriculum, the Reggio Emilia approach, CLASS, and Teaching Strategies GOLD (preferred).

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood education, early special education, or child development from birth to age 6.
• Level 1 Illinois Director Credential or 3 semester hours of college credit in administration, leadership and management.
• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field with 21 credit hours related to early childhood education, early special education, or child development from birth to age 6, teaching experience in an early childhood setting (0-6 years), and a Level 1 Illinois Director Credential or 3 semester hours of college credit in administration, leadership and management.
• Staff responsible for overseeing services for infant toddler programs must have Gateways to Opportunity Infant Toddler Credential Level 5 or above.

Compensation

An attractive and competitive compensation and benefits package will be available commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Chicago Commons is an equal opportunity employer.

To learn more about Chicago Commons' benefits package, please click HERE.