THIS IS A NON-CIVIL SERVICE POSITION

POSTING DATE: 02/05/2024

CLOSING DATE: 05/05/2024 AT 12:00AM MIDNIGHT

SALARY: $15.00 - $30.80.00 Hourly

CLASS DESCRIPTION

The Forest Preschool provides children with a first school experience that is playful, explorative, and immersed in nature! The Forest Preschool director is an administrative role which oversees the direction and supervision of the Forest Preschool in accordance with Carrie Murray Nature Center's strategic goals, education frameworks, standards, practices, and policies. Specifically, they are responsible for the coordination and oversight of all curriculum and program development, licensing and risk management, marketing and registration, staff hiring and supervision, program evaluation and budget management for the program they direct.

Position reports to Director of Carrie Murray Nature Center.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

* Oversee and manage operations of a successful nature preschool, meeting Carrie Murray Nature Center's early education goals and objectives for forest preschools as well as attending to the needs of children and families in the school community.

* Develop and steward a sense of community, belonging, and connection to nature in the preschool.

* Create and maintain a healthy, safe, and positive environment for children utilizing nature as the organizing principal for all learning.

* Ensure the indoor and outdoor learning environments are in good condition to support safe, engaging, rich in experience, and positive child development.

* Develop and manage annual preschool operating budget with attention to flexibility in enrollment and costs.

* Responsible and accountable to all Forest Preschool and Carrie Murray Nature Center's safety policies and guidelines to manage risk.

* Responsible for compliance and implementation of all Maryland State of Education licensed childcare regulations and guidelines, including preparation for re-licensing paperwork and visits, secure maintenance of student files.

* Observe and document children's progress in the areas of their social, emotional, physical, creative, and cognitive skills and communicate with families about their child's abilities and goals.

* Work collaboratively with Carrie Murray Nature Center naturalist staff to ensure the operations of the preschool are in alignment with the ongoing operations of the greater Nature Center.

* Maintain the built and natural environment so that it is safe, welcoming and an enriching environment for childhood development and learning.

* Hire, train, manage, supervise and provide ongoing professional development for all preschool program staff and volunteers.

* Maintain clear communication with the teaching staff and ensure that curriculum and instruction is highest quality, meets early education standards and outcomes, and is inclusive and culturally responsive.

* Communicate and work cooperatively with the Forest Preschool education staff to accomplish program goals.

* Conduct monthly or bi-monthly teacher observations.

* Plan and offer Professional Development seminars to Forest Preschool staff in the school and in collaboration with other Forest Preschool Directors.

* Determine the work schedule of the school and arrange substitute educators when necessary.

* Communicate with families about their child's development and daily learning and play experiences including working with teaching staff to plan and conduct parent/teacher conferences.

* Responsible for engaging parents/caregivers in conversations about children's challenging behaviors and collaborate with Lead Teachers?to plan meetings with families to explore appropriate strategies, interventions and possible collaboration with outside consultants.

* Develop and facilitate family events and engagement programs.

* Responsible for outreach and communication between families, community partners, and state agencies and will be the lead voice for the school in the community where the preschool is located.

* Work collaboratively with Baltimore City Recreation and Park's marketing department to develop school marketing materials and any other publications or press that represent early education at Forest Preschool.

OTHER DUTIES:

* Work with nature-based early childhood education colleagues and attend education and preschool meetings as required.

* Develop and facilitate teacher training opportunities.

* Attend monthly Nature Preschool Director professional learning community meetings.

* Serve on the Education leadership team (i.e., field trips, summer camp, community programs)

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

* Must have and have a minimum of 3-5 years directing a preschool, and at least 5 years of experience teaching children, ages 2-5 years old.

* Previous management experience including staff recruitment, hiring, supervision and design of ongoing professional development is required. Additional qualifications include.

* Must hold or be working towards Early Education and Care Director licensure.

* Must possess current MSDE-required credential to be an administrator. This includes the 45 Director and Administrator Training

* Current Emergency First Aid and Child CPR certificate

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

* Should be familiar with child-led approaches and philosophies that support holistic learning environments.

* Should understand how to oversee, create, and execute an emergent curriculum that meets the standards for the Maryland State Department of Education.

* Is familiar with Maryland State Department of Education's licensure of childcare centers.

* Working knowledge of local flora, fauna, and seasonal changes is a plus!

* Demonstrates working knowledge of hazards and risk assessment as related to the environments of young children.

* Exceptional management of preschool operations.

* Exceptional management and high level of engagement of preschool staff and volunteers.

* Exceptional teaching of Nature-based/Forest Preschool Program.

* Excellent writing and communication skills and ability to work cooperatively and independently.

* Interest and/or experience in nature-based, emergent and anti-bias teaching in early childhood education.

* Passion for the natural world and deep commitment to developing early childhood learning experiences in, about, and for nature.

* Demonstrated ability to promote and respect diversity of ethnic, cultural, linguistic backgrounds and, physical and mental abilities.

* Demonstrated skills and commitment to helping others grow in the understanding, relationship, and concern for the environment.

NOTE: Those eligible candidates who are under final consideration for appointment to positions in this class will be required to authorize the release of criminal conviction information.

APPLYING:

The position of Forest Preschool Director will remain open until filled. Interested candidates should submit a Baltimore city Employment application and resume, including program responsibility and other significant factors as outlined in this announcement. Candidates with relevant experience will be invited to an interview.

BALTIMORE CITY AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER