POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Assistant Director, Child Development Center
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 2548
GRADE 43
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Director, Child Development Center
MAJOR ADMINISTRATOR Department Head, Childhood Education and Family Studies
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Assistant Director, Child Development Center (CDC) is responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating developmentally appropriate curriculum for children in the Child Development Center as prescribed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The Assistant Director, CDC sets up the physical environment to meet changing needs, maintains a safe, clean, and pleasant environment, models and instructs other adults in best practice, and provides information to parents regarding their children as well as general child development information. The Assistant Director, CDC coordinates with the Director, CDC to enhance the quality of the program by sharing responsibility for staff supervision, programming, staff development, and maintenance of all licensing and accreditation requirements, as assigned. The Assistant Director, CDC assists in supervising and evaluating student performance in the Child Development Center.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Master’s degree in child and family development, early childhood education (ECE), or a closely related field is required.
Experience: Three years of experience as a classroom teacher is required. Supervisory experience is required. Experience with at-risk children is preferred. Experience working in diverse environment and/or with students from diverse backgrounds is preferred. Experience working with children from birth through preschool is preferred. Experience working in a child development center in an academic environment is preferred.
Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills are required. Excellent interpersonal skills are required. An understanding of early childhood growth and development, as well as the ability to apply this understanding to appropriate activities, is required. The ability to instruct adults and model appropriate interactions between children and their families is required. A general knowledge of nutrition, health, and first aid is required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.
License: Certification for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid are required or must be obtained within thirty days of employment.
Other: This position works with infants and young children and requires sufficient physical mobility and communication ability in order to interact with staff and children during the daily activities of the Center. This position lifts and carries infants and young children.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Ensures the goals and objectives of the children’s program in the Child Development Center are met by planning, implementing, and evaluating developmentally appropriate curriculum for children and instructing, modeling, and demonstrating appropriate developmental practices as described by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
2. Manages the Child Development Center in the Director’s absence.
3. Helps to coordinate the daily operation of the CDC to meet all health, safety, licensing, and accreditation standards.
4. Supervises the execution of appropriate curriculum for all age groups, develops a competent and effective staff for the children’s programs, supervises staff and students, provides orientation and training on departmental policies and program operations, assigns areas of responsibility or projects based upon expertise and/or qualifications, evaluates work performance, confers with teaching staff regarding children’s behavior(s) and learning needs, and recommends strategies to support the growth and development of all children.
5. Provides an appropriate learning environment for University students by assisting Child and Family Development students in planning and implementing activities in the Center, assisting in the pre-service workshops for CFD 260, CFD 360, and CFD 455 students, and participating in the evaluation of Child and Family Development student teaching performances.
6. Advises the Director, CDC, coworkers, and administrators of the status of ongoing programs and activities by assisting with attendance and Childcare Food Program records and preparing and submitting reports as required.
7. Recommends purchase of instructional materials and teaching aids such as books, toys, and materials designed to stimulate learning.
8. Assists the Director in interviews and recommendations related to hiring teaching and service staff.
9. Confers with parents regarding facility activities, policies, and enrollment procedures.
10. Maintains professional competence and expands the knowledge base and ability of the children’s programs to serve its constituencies by attending professional development seminars, workshops, in-service training, and related activities, implementing appropriate program modifications, and sharing information gained from those professional activities with other professionals.
11. Participates as a member of the Early Childhood and Family Development instructional staff by supervising and evaluating student performance in the Center.
12. Promotes a positive image of the University by maintaining membership and providing leadership to professional organizations such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children and developing cooperative working relationships with regional child care agencies and professionals.
13. Contributes to the effectiveness of administrative management within the Child Development Center by attending all planning sessions and Child Development Center staff meetings as required, resolving special situations as they arise, participating in ongoing training regarding the program, children, and families, and assisting in planning and conducting activities such as special events, fundraising events, and open houses as requested.
14. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
15. Contributes to the overall success of the Child Development Center by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Assistant Director, Child Development Center is supervised by the Director, Child Development Center and supervises Teachers, Assistant Teachers, students, and assigned practicum students.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
MAY 2015
