Description

This position is for our YMCA Jacquline Baber-Bey Early Childhood Center. Working hours vary between 7 AM - 6 PM, based on program needs. 

OUR CULTURE:

Guiding Principles describe our behaviors to support our organization’s work throughout its life in all circumstances, irrespective of changes in goals, strategies, and leadership. Our Guiding Principles are as follows: We CULTIVATE-We grow staff and volunteer leaders who will be stewards of the Y mission, resources, and opportunities. We OWN-We think long-term and act on behalf of the organization, beyond our own team. We WELCOME-We are inclusive of all people and all communities. We SERVE-We provide timely and excellent service to members, volunteers, community, and each other. We LEARN-We are never done learning and always seek to improve. We are curious about new possibilities and act to explore them. We UNITE-We work together to achieve big goals and speak as one voice. We RESPECT-We treat others with kindness and speak positively about other people in all situations. We PLAY-We celebrate, appreciate, and have fun!

The YMCA of Great Grand Rapids utilizes a Membership By Design framework, which is a member involvement and community building model for YMCAs across the country. All staff members—front-line, management, full- and part-time—and volunteers have a role to play in member engagement. These responsibilities can be broken into six steps:

1. Enrollment: Staff and volunteers encourage potential members to enroll in programs and activities that meet their needs.
2. Satisfaction: Staff and volunteers ask members continually about their satisfaction with a program or activity, track responses, listen to suggestions, and respond promptly in a manner consistent with the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
3. Relationship Building: Staff and volunteers are open, friendly, and approachable to all YMCA members and participants. Staff and volunteers initiate interaction with and between members.
4. Education and ConversionE: Staff and volunteers know about and share their knowledge of the YMCA, its programs, its policies, its mission, its values, and how it benefits members and the community.
5. Volunteerism and Leadership: Staff and volunteers create opportunities for members to volunteer in their areas of interest, and they ask members to do so whenever appropriate.
6. Ownership: Staff and volunteers encourage members to “own” the YMCA, using words such as “we,” “us,” and “our association” (and actions that match those words) to include members as well as staff and volunteers.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Childcare Director is responsible for the day-to-day operations and administration of the Child Development Center. Operations include maintaining all licensing and food program records, payment and collections, budget development, program plans, enrollment and retention of child care participants, curriculum development, implementation, and evaluation and expansion of the child care program. This position requires face-to-face leadership and involves early morning and evening availability.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Childcare Operations

• Manages the day-to-day operation of the childcare programs
• Achieves and maintains NAEYC accreditation (if applicable)
• Develops action steps to improve programs quality and enrollment
• Recommends appropriate staffing plans to meet ratio requirements
• Manages recruiting, orientating, and enrolling of children/families
• Tours prospective childcare participants/members
• Advises parents/guardians of necessary child/family referrals
• Recommends purchases of instructional materials and teaching aids such as books, toys, equipment, and games designed to stimulate learning
• Confers with parents/guardians regarding facility activities, policies, and enrollment procedures
• Confers with teaching staff regarding child's behavioral or learning problems, and recommends methods of modifying inappropriate behavior and encouraging learning experiences
• Reviews and evaluates facility activities to ensure conformance to state and local regulations
• Maintains Michigan child care food program records (if applicable)
• Arranges medical attention for ill or injured children in accordance with parental instructions
• Performs classroom teaching duties due to the absence of a regular teacher, ratio needs, or budget constraints
• Maintain compliance with all state licensing regulations, including fire and health codes

Community Relationships

• Maintains a positive relationship with assigned licensing consultants
• Develops relationships with area schools
• Builds and maintains community partner relationships in the facility and surrounding neighborhood.

Human Resource Management

• Manages childcare staff and / or volunteers
• Manages the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the CDC
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Association’s policies and applicable laws
• Assists staff to identify and meet all development needs with action plans built into the next budget
• Sets goals and objectives for each staff member
• Makes annual salary increment recommendations
• Audits payroll reports
• Fills staff vacancies in accordance with established Association policies
• Supports the Association in recruitment of diverse staff and volunteers
• Interviews, hires, and trains staff; plans, assigns, and directs work; rewards and disciplines staff; and addresses complaints and resolves problems

Fiscal Management

• Meets all budget goals
• Monitors monthly budget and year-end forecast for responsible program areas
• Operates program areas within directives and policies of the Association
• Assists with Annual Campaign

Facility Management

• Maintains all areas in clean, presentable fashion
• Assists in branch special events, manager-on-duty coverage, and other branch and facility management.

Performs any other functions necessary for the smooth and efficient operation of the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids Association

COMPENSATION

$48,000 - $55,000 annually; Full Time; Exempt

BENEFITS

• Free YMCA Family Membership & discounted program fees
• 50% discount off the regular rate for each child registered in a YMCA childcare program. Full-time YMCA employees working in a licensed childcare program will receive a 50% discount on all Early Learning (including infant room), School-Age, and Day Camp registrations.
• Health/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off, beginning at 4 weeks per year
• 9 Paid Holidays per year 
• 10% retirement contribution upon eligibility, learn more here.
• 403(b) retirement savings account
• The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. More information can be found here. 
• Paid Parental Leave
• Discounted childcare
• Long term disability, basic life insurance and other voluntary benefits
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program and resources for you and your family
• Community Discounts, and more! 

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree (BA) from four-year college or university in Early Childhood Education or Child Development required; 2 semester hours in child care administration; three to five years experience with licensed child care management and development; or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Past supervision experience preferred. Ability and desire to work with children infant to 6 years of age. Familiarity with and adherence to the NAEYC Code of Ethics. Must have working knowledge of sound fiscal principals. Ability to interact with people of all ethnic backgrounds, ages and lifestyles. Working knowledge of computers and experience with a variety of software applications.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATION

• Fingerprinting
• State of Michigan criminal background clearance (ICHAT)
• DHS clearance
• Negative T.B. test and proof of current physical exam
• Blood Borne Pathogen training
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification required within the first 60 days
• First Aid Certification required within the first 60 days
• AED-Oxygen Certification required within the first 60 days

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of members, parents, and staff.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and color vision.

TRAVEL:

0 – 5% of local travel within the state of Michigan; occasional out-of-state travel may be required for educational conferences or training.