SEEC offers a rich learning environment for children, families, and teachers in our community and at the same time extends its innovative practices to professionals in schools and museums through its Office of Engagement. Since 1988, classroom and museum educators at the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center have engaged students in meaningful learning experiences based upon educational strategies and techniques that work effectively for children in their formative years. SEEC strives to create a community built on mutual respect and equity, where every child sees themselves and embraces and celebrates the diversity within our school community and beyond. It is our ultimate goal for every member of our community to feel safe, welcomed, and valued.

As an organization, SEEC continues to grow as a leader in the field of museum-based early education and influences practice within museums and schools. SEEC offers a highly professional staff, a supportive work environment and is an equal opportunity employer. Please learn more about SEEC on our websites: www.si.edu/SEECand www.seecstories.com. Come and be part of an exciting museum-based school and experience more than the typical early childhood classroom with SEEC - our ordinary is extraordinary!

Position Description

The Program Director works as a member of the administrative team to provide leadership to faculty, to maintain a nurturing and stimulating educational environment, and to promote a sense of community. Program Directors have primary responsibilities for the daily operations of their centers and supervision of the classroom education teams and support educators associated with their centers.

HERE’S MORE OF WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING:

• Leading, coaching, and advocating for early childhood educators within SEEC, collaborating alongside a team of passionate administrators
• Supporting families and their children in their earliest and formative years
• Tackling daily operations and facility management for a small childcare center
• Serving as an example of highest quality practice for SEEC!

YOU WILL LEAD AND MANAGE 3-4 TEAMS OF CLASSROOM EDUCATORS BY:

Working closely with individual educators and teams to provide opportunities for communication and problem solving, and to mentor their professional growth and understanding. Scheduling classroom observations and maintaining a schedule of evaluative meetings with faculty.

Spending regular, scheduled time in the classrooms to learn about the classroom community and to get to know the children. Act as a model for inclusive, equitable, and respectful developmentally appropriate practice. Observe and help develop strategies for challenging classroom behaviors or dynamics.

Develop and maintain staffing schedules and weekly scheduling notes; maintain safe classroom ratios by adjusting the schedule (daily, weekly, or as needed) and by providing hands on support for the center as needed, including assisting teachers in the classroom or with other tasks to ensure a smoothly run program. (This task requires time spent outside of the typical school day to receive call-outs or determining weather delays in opening)

Support SEEC’s curriculum and philosophy through lesson planning in a multitude of ways: scheduling planning time outside of the classroom, reviewing and guiding plans as needed, ensuring plans are shared with families, offering suggestions to enhance the classroom or lesson experience. Collaborate with classroom teams to develop and maintain a safe, inviting, inclusive, and child-centered environment.

YOU WILL COLLABORATE SUPPORT FAMILIES BY:

Establish a positive working partnership with all parents and caregivers within the center and school community. Invite family participation and involvement in a variety of ways throughout the school year. Organize and host orientations and tours for incoming and current families. Welcome families to share their unique values, traditions, and expertise, encouraging and modeling curiosity and respect for differences.

Schedule conferences and meetings for caregivers, respond to concerns, and share information about child development on topics that are relevant to their child or pertain to issues which arise in the class group as appropriate while maintaining confidentiality

YOU WILL SUPPORT DAILY OPERATIONS BY:

Ensuring compliance of health and safety policies and licensing requirements, including maintaining student records and a safe environment, implementing required drills, and communicating illnesses and information to families and faculty

Maintaining faculty records and trainings required by SEEC and licensing bodies, track hours for payroll, monitor classroom budgets and purchases

Ordering supplies, coordinating repairs and cleaning, and maintaining a daily schedule for food preparation and kitchen cleaning

Actively participating in weekly administrative team meetings, discussing and brainstorming solutions for any issues relevant to individual centers or overall program, regarding staffing, children, families, or facilities. Representing and advocating for the needs of your center and teaching teams within the context of the school at large

Planning, implementing, and completing any tasks as determined by the team or assigned by the Executive Director

Organize and facilitate meetings, conferences, and professional development as needed or scheduled throughout the school year

YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE TO AND UPHOLD SEEC’s HIGH QUALITY STANDARDS BY:

Working alongside faculty and staff in our program to advance and expand knowledge of child development through sharing ideas, observations, and suggestions with other faculty

Committing to ongoing learning and reflecting on how bias, racism, and inequity appear in the early childhood education field, including how it affects teaching practices, relationships with colleagues, and relationship to our organization

Model respectful interactions and effective communication with faculty, administrators, and families. Welcome and greet all visitors, families, faculty, and interns, serving as an example of highest quality practice for SEEC.

Ideal candidates have experience working and teaching in a classroom or childcare setting. They understand the nuances of coaching educators with varying teaching styles. They will be an effective communicator, who recognizes others’ lived experiences and identities and demonstrates respect and curiosity for different approaches, ideas, and concerns. They are flexible, take initiative, and eager to learn how SEEC approaches early education!

You will be most prepared for this role if you have a combination of the following -

KNOWLEDGE EXPERIENCE:

Knowledge of educational theory and practices in schools and museums. Must be familiar with current information on how young children learn and develop, what they are capable of learning at different ages, and best practices for encouraging this learning.

Must have working knowledge of teaching methods that promote object-based, experiential learning, child development, and effective classroom management techniques. Must also show a commitment to learning about cultural and equity issues related to education.

Proven experience with supervision, coaching, and navigating team dynamics; ability to mentor educators to help them grow in their own development and classroom practice; and possesses leadership skills that create a nurturing environment for both staff and families.

Understanding and familiarity with meeting licensing requirements

SKILLS:

Can effectively prioritize multiple tasks associated with high quality early education programs. Must be able to conceptualize programs, establish objectives, and coordinate the work of others within the context of a comprehensive teaching and caregiving effort.

Skill in using computer software for word processing and internet applications, specifically: Microsoft Office and OneDrive

Must demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively in teams with other Early Childhood professionals and administrators

Must demonstrate strong communication skills, both oral and written

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood education, early childhood development, child and family studies or a closely related field. A Master’s degree in one of these areas is preferred.
• Candidates should also have at minimum of 5 years of work experience in the ECE field, specifically with preschool preferred.

In Addition To

• Ability to pass a criminal background and credit check required by OSSE and Smithsonian Institution
• Must be COVID Vaccinated and Boosted as required by DC licensing guidelines
• Ability to meet Physical Demands: as Program Directors may be called in to the classroom setting, museum setting or outdoors, they must be able to walk, stoop, sit, stand, and kneel for extended periods over the course of the day. They also must be able to lift 20-40 lbs.

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS THROUGH FEBRUARY 12, 2024.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $80,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Early childhood education: 5 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person