VPK/Preschool Lead Instructor II (Director's Credential Required) - Central City Family YMCA

Under the direction of the Program Director, with oversight from Operations Director/Executive Director, the Preschool Lead Instructor II with Director's Credential serves as both a lead instructor in the preschool/VPK classroom and the primary backup to the Program Director, ensuring the preschool’s operations comply with DCF (Department of Children and Families) licensing regulations. In this role, the Lead Teacher provides leadership in curriculum implementation, staff recruitment, and program oversight. They assist with operational duties, ensuring full compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, and step in for the Program Director when necessary to maintain seamless program management.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists Program Director with providing leadership and guidance to assistant teachers and support staff in the classroom.
• Models best practices in early childhood education, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Mentor and coach staff to ensure high-quality teaching practices.
• Develop and deliver daily VPK lesson plans aligned with the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards and the YMCA curriculum framework.
• Implement developmentally appropriate, hands-on activities that promote literacy, numeracy, social-emotional learning, motor development, and cognitive growth. Strong knowledge of all aspects of the daily routine and anticipates the needs of the children.
• Guides the children’s behavior and learning through active interaction and implementation of curriculum and lesson plans.
• Maintains accurate records for potential licensing and funding agencies.
• Maintains a safe, clean, pleasant physical environment conducive to optimal growth and development of children.
• Appreciates the diversity of families and knows how to share information effectively and appropriately with them about their child.
• Knows and follows all emergency policies and procedures.
• Supervises children during indoor-outdoor activities, handwashing, and toileting.
• Conducts parent conferences with individual parents at least twice yearly to report on child’s progress, discuss concerns with parents and act on those concerns.
• Greets each child and parent upon arrival.
• Visually scans each child upon arrival and checks for illness, disease, or any physical impairment. Notes in daily health check report.
• Conducts daily/weekly observations and assessments on children.
• Conducts developmental assessments on children.
• Ensures completion of all classroom records.
• Attends staff meetings and contributes to the meeting.
• Attends staff training and YMCA special events.
• Manages classroom supplies and materials, ensuring resources are available and properly maintained.
• Assists in the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of new staff.
• Assists with interview and provide recommendations for staffing needs and ensure that staff qualifications meet regulatory requirements.
• Participates in continuous improvement efforts to enhance the quality of the preschool experience for children and families.
• Ensures program compliance with applicable local, state and federal policies and regulations governing preschool operations.
• Additional duties as required and assigned by a supervisor to support the overall mission of the YMCA and to ensure the success of the program.

Education/ Experience Required:

• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Minimum Child Development Associate (CDA); Associates or Bachelors in related field; AND/OR equivalent experience.
• 45 DCF Training Hours, current Florida DCF Director’s Credential and VPK Instructor Requirements
• Knowledge of state and local licensing requirements for early childhood education programs.
• Must have a minimum of one year’s experience working in an early learning/preschool/childcare setting; licensed childcare experience a plus.
• Must be able to work cooperatively with children, parents, and peers; demonstrate character, integrity, adaptability, and patience in communicating with others.
• Strong computer skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Bilingual English/Spanish a plus.
• Any additional mandatory or assigned training.

Certifications/Trainings Required:

• Must obtain within 30 days of employment and then maintain current certifications in CPR, AED and First Aid.
• 45 DCF Training Hours, current Florida DCF Director’s Credential and VPK Instructor Requirements
• Maintain other required certifications as stated in the training matrix.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job includes, but not limited to:

• The employee needs sufficient strength, agility, and mobility to perform essential functions and to supervise program activities in a wide variety of indoor and outdoor locations.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer and authorized work phone/smart device.
• Ability to instruct and observe participants during program activities.
• The employee frequently is required to see, observe, and hear all participants, and make sound judgments and decisions.
• Ability to perform all physical aspects of the position, including, but not limited to, leading class, walking, standing, bending, reaching, and lifting.
• Ability to sit and reach and must be able to move around the work environment.
• Hear noises and distress signals in the program environment, including in the classroom and anywhere around the zone of responsibility.
• Must have flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
• Ability to lift and move a minimum of 30 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to work in a variety of environments, specifically those subject to extreme humidity/dampness, heat and cold.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.
• This position requires reliable transportation and a willingness to travel, if needed.
• This position may require availability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Must be able to perform the duties of those supervised.

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Full Time Benefits Summary:

• 20 days of Paid Time Off, increasing with service
• 7 paid holidays
• Employer-supported health, vision, dental insurance
• Tampa YMCA family membership
• $2,000 employer-provided assistance for qualified dependent care programs (before/after school care and camp)
• 20% off program fees (swim lessons, youth sports, summer camp and more)
• 30% off personal training
• Start at 403 (b) smart savings account through YMCA Benefits on day one of employment (optional)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through BayCare Behavioral Services (phone and online)
• Professional development opportunities through Y-USA trainings
• Retirement plan eligibility: After completing 1000 hours of service over two, twelve-month periods and at least 21 years of age, part-time and full-time associates are eligible for the Tampa YMCA to contribute 12% of your earnings to a 401(a) account. Once enrolled, the associate is immediately vested.

Association Summary:

The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA is a top-rated ‘4-star’ Charity Navigator and Guidestar ‘Gold’ rated non-profit charitable organization for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Join a cause-driven association focused on empowering every individual in our community to reach their healthiest and most fulfilled life. Learn more about the Tampa YMCA at www.tampaymca.org.

• 14 Family Center Ys, 65-acre outdoor adventure camp, Community Learning Center, two program centers, 27 afterschool sites, 18 Early Head Start sites
• Largest youth development and health & wellness provider in the region
• 300,000 community members served
• 1,600 staff members
• 1000 volunteers
• $50MM in revenue
• An independent 501(c) 3, locally-governed and managed

Located in sunny Florida, the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA offers an ideal location with beautiful weather affording a desirable setting for an active outdoor lifestyle year-round, is close to many beaches and theme parks and Florida is one of very few states that has no state income tax.

The Tampa Y is an equal opportunity employer and a drug-free workplace.