Child Development Center Director

Administers a center-based, developmentally appropriate early childhood program for children of eligible patrons, directing and operating a large Child Development Center (CDC) serving 200+ children.

Responsibilities

• Applies professional knowledge of child development principles to supervise the CDC's developmental programming.
• Ensures implementation of a developmentally appropriate program promoting social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth for children aged 6 weeks through 12 years.
• Provides program oversight and accountability for employee performance and child safety in accordance with Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Navy (DoN), and local policies.
• Recommends modifications to higher-level program goals and interprets child development philosophy and DoN policies based on patron needs and program evaluation.
• Develops, implements, and analyzes surveys and needs assessments of staff and patrons to ensure appropriate programming and hours of operation.
• Collects and maintains statistical data for planning, reporting, and maximizing program spaces to accommodate command personnel needs.
• Maintains liaison with local institutions and community organizations to stay current on trends and changes in the community.
• Interacts professionally with employees, parents, volunteers, and local installation command personnel; resolves issues positively.
• Develops integrated budget input, conducts budget variance analysis, and justifies funding for program resources, facility repairs, and maintenance.
• Oversees collection, accounting, and reporting of patron funds, ensuring compliance with regulations for appropriated and nonappropriated funds.
• Supervises employees and volunteers, ensuring timely and proper personnel actions related to selection, training, promotions, discipline, and recognition.
• Supports and communicates EEO objectives and policies in personnel management and supervision.
• Ensures compliance with safety, health, and risk management policies and procedures.
• Develops staffing schedules in accordance with established ratios and group sizes, coordinating employee use across Child and Youth Programs (CYP).
• Establishes local performance standards and evaluates employee and volunteer performance.
• Provides clear guidance on compliance with standards and execution of management directives.
• Resolves personnel-related complaints and takes disciplinary action as necessary.
• Collaborates with the Training and Curriculum (T&C) Specialist to identify and address employee training needs, ensuring competency-based training tied to career progression.
• Facilitates continuing higher education for staff.
• Contributes to the development of CYP standard operating procedures (SOPs) for efficient facility and program management.
• Collaborates with other CYP Directors to establish and implement a combined Parent Involvement Board (PIB).
• Contributes to the development of CYP employee and parent handbooks and ensures their distribution.
• Ensures full utilization of available program spaces and collaborates to fill vacancies quickly via the Central Waiting List (CWL).
• Ensures compliance with DoN, DoD, Military Child Care Act (MCCA), and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards.
• Oversees the development and implementation of the established curriculum.
• Ensures compliance with child abuse and neglect reporting requirements.
• Ensures compliance with USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and provides nutritionally balanced meals and snacks according to USDA guidelines.
• Serves as a mandatory reporter to Family Advocacy and Child Protective Services.

Requirements

• Must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check; discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of employment.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical, provide evidence of immunization, be free of communicable diseases, and obtain appropriate immunizations.
• Must successfully obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance as needed.
• Subject to both pre-employment and random drug testing; positive results or refusal to submit may result in removal from the position.
• Ability to complete required training certificates and maintain certifications or credentials required by Federal, State, and/or national accreditation institutions.

Qualifications

Resumes must demonstrate experience and knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) relevant to this position. A qualified candidate possesses:

• 4 years of full-time experience working with children and/or youth and appropriate education, or a combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of child development principles and experience designing and managing complex programs, including safety, security, disease prevention, employee training, developmentally appropriate activities, parent involvement, and facility management.
• Knowledge of DoD, DoN, local, and state regulations, instructions, and procedures pertaining to military child care.
• Knowledge of Federal and State laws governing detection and prevention of child abuse and/or neglect.
• Knowledge of facility design, functional use, and maintenance concepts pertaining to military child care.
• Knowledge of financial management, budgeting, and purchasing as it pertains to a child development program.
• Skill working with military families and an understanding of military lifestyles is preferred.
• Ability to supervise others, exercise sound business skills, and provide positive personnel management.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing, with strong interpersonal communication skills.

Education

• A bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development, Elementary Education, Special Education (concentration in ECE), Home Economics (early childhood emphasis), Child Care Administration, or a related field and four years of full-time experience working with children and/or youth.
• Or a combination of education and experience: education must include courses in a child-related field and a total minimum of 24 higher-level semester hours, plus four years of full-time experience working with children and/or youth.

A copy of your high school diploma, GED, or college transcripts (showing degree awarded/conferred) must be submitted when applying.