THE SALVATION ARMY

North and Central Illinois Division

Child Care

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Site Director

LOCATION/DEPT: Child Care

REPORTS TO: Program Director

FLSA CATEGORY: Exempt

STATUS TYPE: RFT

OUTCOMES

The Site Director is responsible for the operation of a comprehensive child development Head Start Program and fulfilling the obligation of all grants being implemented at the site.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervision and Oversight

1. Conducts regular staff meetings.
2. Substitutes in the classroom to allow teaching staff to meet the responsibilities of their positions, providing time for GOLD documentation, meetings, classroom preparation, training, etc.
3. Provide breaks for teachers on a daily basis.
4. Substitutes in the classroom in the absence of a teacher; i.e. vacation, sick jury duty, etc.
5. Substitutes in food preparation in the absence of the Cook/Food Aide (directors must maintain the Food and Sanitation Certification) and janitor.
6. In the absence of the Family Support Worker, attends IEP staffing.
7. Along with the Family Support Worker, facilitate children's health needs; developing medical and dental collaborations to support on-going and continuous care of enrolled and pre-enrolled children.
8. Assist the Family Support Worker in meeting the social service needs of families, i.e. family assessments, home visits, and referrals.
9. Assist in entering assessment data into COPA and GOLD.
10. Keep the needs of the program foremost while balancing the needs of individual staff.
11. Represents the Salvation Army and Child Care Department to staff with regard to personnel policies.

Implements Program Policies

1. Assures that all activities for children are based upon developmentally appropriate practices.
2. Reports suspected child abuse according to department procedures.
3. Plans field trips according to the needs of children.
4. Plans family activities, which include Head Start children based upon the development of those children.

Head Start Requirements

1. Welcomes and involves parents in the program through orientation meetings, workshops, volunteer opportunities, and celebrations.
2. Supports communication with parents regarding the center's programs through regular newsletters, bulletin boards, frequent notes, telephone calls, etc.
3. Oversees the recruitment and enrollment of children. Develops and executes a recruitment plan to meet enrollment requirements for the site. Create flyers or other print materials to promote the program. Identify and visit various local community sites to promote the program and actively recruit (schools, hospitals, social service organizations, etc.). Monitors enrollment and actively seeks to fill slots when enrollment numbers fall below the requirement.
4. Supervises the education component through classroom observations and providing technical assistance to teachers.
5. Establishes relationships with other community organizations.
6. Facilitates staff training by planning workshops, submitting requests for tuition reimbursement, etc.
7. Assures time for staffing in which all staff with knowledge about a child and his/her family meet and establish plans for individual families and children.

Safety and Health

1. Monitors monthly fire drills.
2. Plans for medical emergencies, making sure all staff are familiar with the plan.
3. Provides first aid supplies and replenishes items when needed.
4. Monitors posting or evacuation routes and plans, in case of fire or natural disaster.
5. Reports all accidents to the administrative office, both verbally after critical care has been given, and in writing.

Administrative and Fiscal Responsibilities

1. Hires staff to fill vacancies as they occur.
2. Evaluates each staff member on an annual basis, documenting the evaluation process.
3. Oversees all human resources issues including staffing, performance issues, and supervision.
4. Assures that the center meets all state and city licensing standards. (Not applicable to Homeless, Family Child Care Homes and Teen Parenting Directors.
5. Submits accurate and timely reports including:
6. Child Care Food Program
7. Petty cash
8. Request for supplies
9. Request for use of Parents Funds
10. Monthly DHS and SA enrollment and Attendance Statistics

Leadership

1. Establishes future goals for the center and works with other administrative staff to establish goals for the program.
2. Participates in discussions of funding priorities.
3. Annually reviews policies with center staff.
4. Monitors the quality of the program.

Advocacy

1. Assumes an advocacy position for children and families.
2. Presenting at professional conferences.
3. Supporting the registering and voting of staff and parents.
4. Representing the needs of the children and families at our programs and meetings.

Professional Growth

1. Keeps abreast of early childhood education practices.
2. Demonstrates a proficient knowledge of child development.
3. Demonstrates professional growth and improvement through identification of own training needs, and participation in training sessions; enrollment in workshop/college courses; reading professionals literature and application of training to professional performance.
4. All other duties as assigned.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

This position reports to the Program Director.

This position supervises Teachers, Teacher Assistants, Volunteers, Janitor and the Social Worker.

In contacts related to this position's duties this individual acts as a representative of The Salvation Army and its mission.

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS

This individual will be evaluated on how effectively the outcomes of this position are achieved, as well as the timeliness, accuracy and completeness of accomplishing assigned goals.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Graduation from an accredited university or college with a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education with experience either at the center or in administration. Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education preferred.
• Minimum of three years' experience in a child care facility or other comparable environment.
• Previous supervisory experience.

COMPETENCIES

• A commitment to uphold and promote the mission of The Salvation Army.
• Maintains a professional attitude.
• Adheres to personnel policies.
• Supports and enforces program regulations.
• Assumes and thoroughly completes all duties in a professional and timely manner.
• Accepts responsibility willingly.
• Demonstrates enthusiasm for the program.
• Responds objectively to change.
• Responds in a positive manner to constructive suggestions.
• Respects the confidentiality of parents, children, and other staff members.
• Extensive knowledge of social service and early childhood programs.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.

POSITION LIMITATIONS

• This individual will only commit Army resources that have been allocated or approved.
• This individual will keep the Program Director informed on all critical issues relating to their area of responsibility.
• This individual will adhere to all policies and procedures in carrying out the responsibilities of this position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position is required to do light to moderate physical work and must be able to lift at least 40lbs on a daily basis.
• In order to successfully perform the essential functions of this position, the employee is regularly required to interact with children and use standard office equipment and a PC.
• The work environment for this position includes an office or classroom environment with a low to moderate noise level.

THE SALVATION ARMY MISSION STATEMENT

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.