Director of Early Childhood Education

Company Overview

The Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida (ELC) collaborates with families, educators, and community partners to enhance children's lives across Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee Counties. In 1999, the Florida legislature enacted the School Readiness Act, which unified early childhood education and childcare programs into a single system. This led to the creation of the Florida Partnership for School Readiness to coordinate programs through local coalitions throughout Florida. Since 2005, the Early Learning Coalitions have administered both the School Readiness Program and VPK at the county/regional level.

Mission

We champion and foster high-quality early learning opportunities across Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee Counties, preparing children for kindergarten, supporting families, and building a stronger, more vibrant, and prosperous community.

Summary

Responsible for overseeing the planning, coordination, and delivery of early childhood education programs and initiatives that support school readiness and high-quality early learning environments for the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida (ELC). Work involves providing leadership in curriculum development, program quality improvement, provider training, and family engagement, while ensuring compliance with state and federal guidelines. Works closely with early learning providers, community partners, and families to improve child outcomes and strengthen the early learning system.

Position is primarily focused on managing, coaching, and developing other people. Position requires extensive depth of expertise and knowledge in specialized functions or business areas that can be used to implement policies and procedures as well as determining efficient and innovative ways to accomplish the organization’s business strategies.

Essential Functions

The essential functions listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

• Manages, provides guidance to, and reviews the work of individual contributors and supervisory employees in order to accomplish operational plans and results
• Plans and oversees business area workflow and time utilization of staff; assigns and communicates daily activities and deadlines to staff
• Assesses, plans, and implements best practice standards and ensures compliance with all regulatory and funding agencies; compiles and submits data for trend analysis and regulatory reporting
• Audits documents, records, and reports generated by assigned staff; provides comprehensive data regarding assigned programs as requested; ensures all assigned staff understand and consistently apply established procedures and regulatory or contracted guidelines to their activities
• Monitors the progress of, and reviews a high volume of projects, reports, and products to ensure service area goals are achieved
• Manages and initiates quality improvement activities; achieves and maintains reliability on all assessment tools
• Administers and facilitates trainings and technical assistance to providers
• Coordinates training and professional development opportunities for early childhood educators
• Conducts education and training for new and current staff to promote on the job learning and development
• Provides guidance and training to staff regarding provider interactions and assistance, making decisions in the field, and responding to identified issues at providers’ locations
• Supports providers in implementing developmentally appropriate practices and curriculum that align with early learning standards
• Compiles, prepares, and presents weekly and monthly reports; provides a variety of data to ELC Chiefs including but not limited to, provider details, assessment and monitoring progress, and providers’ health related closures
• Oversees the School Readiness Program Assessment (SRPA); develops ELC staff to be CLASS observers, reviews and approves CLASS reports, calculates composite scores, authorizes Quality Improvement Plans, ensures adherence to all required deadlines, and coordinates, authorizes, anchors and conducts observations
• Serves as the organization’s liaison for CLASS and the Association of Early Learning Coalitions (AELC); maintains knowledge of rules and communicates all changes to ELC staff as necessary
• Oversees Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) monitoring; reviews completed monitoring documents for accuracy, authorizes final noncompliance and all nonpayment; ensures monitoring is completed per agreement with Department of Early Learning (DEL); submits reports to Chief Financial Officer (CFO) per established schedule, policies, and procedures
• Initiates provider probation actions; identifies noncompliant providers from internal and external incident reports; assesses issues and determines probationary period; submits to the Chief of Early Childhood Education for authorization and oversight of probationary terms
• Works on various grant activities for the organization including identifying appropriate grants and developing grant proposals and related documents and materials; participates in the approval and decline of applicants, administers budget, orders materials, coordinates trainings and distribution of materials
• Interacts and coordinates frequently with a variety of external vendors, service providers, agencies, and public and community organizations
• Responds, by phone and email, to inquiries from childcare providers; identifies and researches issues, answers questions, provides technical assistance, resolves complaints, and performs follow-up when required
• Maintains the ability and means to travel, including evening and/or weekend hours, based on organizational responsibilities and requirements
• Establishes/develops and maintains collaboration, trust, and cohesion with colleagues; demonstrates and fosters a commitment to the mission, goals, and organizational culture of the Coalition

Supervision:

• Reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures and meets with management staff to identify and resolve problems
• Assesses and monitors workload; identifies opportunities for improvement and implements changes
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline procedures per established policies, procedures, and executive guidance
• Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the departmental budget; informs the forecasting process for assigned areas in collaboration with the Chief Financial Officer; approves expenditures and implements budgetary adjustments for approved and assigned budget

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, human or child development or related field; supplemented by five (5) to seven (7) years of early childhood education experience, including at least two (2) years in a supervisory role and three (3) years of performing classroom observations and/or early childhood assessments; or an equivalent combination of education, certification, training, and/or experience.

A valid State of Florida Driver License, proof of auto insurance, and eligibility to secure a car via authorized car rental agency is required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Three (3) years conducting observation-based classroom assessments using CLASS Infant, CLASS Toddler or CLASS Pre-K Assessments

Three (3) or more years of supervisory experience in a nonprofit, social work or human services organization

An ability to understand and communicate, orally and in writing, in English and Spanish or Haitian Creole

PreK/Toddler/Infant CLASS Observation certification, IACET approved trainer

OTHER EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

Employment in this position is contingent on authorizing, submitting, and maintaining satisfactory:

• Per State of Florida Statutes, Level 2 Criminal History Record Checks
• Per State of Florida Statues, E-Verify system for employment eligibility verification
• Drug testing
• Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) with no record of criminal driving offense or license suspension

EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:

Hours of operation are Wednesday through Tuesday (weekdays), 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (40-hours); evening and weekend hours may be required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Working knowledge of child development and the philosophies, principles, and best practices of early childhood education programs, curriculum, and assessment
• Working knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with local, state, and federal requirements and guidelines
• Knowledge of quality programming and CLASS
• Knowledge of the statewide data system, including Enhanced Field System Modernization (EFS MOD), Tableau, or related systems
• Knowledge of principles, practices, methodologies, and techniques utilized to effectively manage and motivate a diverse workforce
• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products (Word, Outlook, and Excel) and applicable department / organization specific software and ability to learn and become proficient in the use of other specialized software as may be required
• Skill in building collaborative instructional cultures among providers
• Skill in adapting to a changing work environment, competing demands, and the ability to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events
• Skill in developing, managing, and interpreting budgets, contracts, and fiscal and financial reports
• Skill in assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs and activities for compliance
• Skill in effectively presenting and sharing information to a variety of audiences and adjusting delivery based on the nature of the information
• Skill in resolving conflicts, confrontations or disagreements in a constructive manner to minimize negative personal impact
• Ability to analyze child outcome data and translate findings into practice improvements
• Ability to clearly communicate and understand information in English, both orally and in writing
• Ability to lead and motivate others to achieve goals
• Ability to formulate, initiate, and administer policies and procedures for effective fiscal control
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret program related laws and regulations and establish necessary work processes and procedures
• Ability to manage multiple priorities to ensure that deadlines are met and to set priorities that move projects through efficiently to achieve customer and quality objectives
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those interacted with during work regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, military service, or diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds
• Ability to regularly attend work and arrive punctually for designated work schedule
• Ability and means to travel independently and as needed for work related matters, including on nights and/or weekends as required by organizational and job obligations
• Call-To-Action

'Join us in shaping the future of our community’s children! If you are a visionary leader passionate about early education, we invite you to bring your expertise to the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida. Let’s make a difference together—apply today!'

Salary listed is a range, is negotiable, and final offer will be based on experience.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $69,000.00 - $79,000.00 per year

Benefits:

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

Work Location: In person

Salary : $69,000 - $79,000