Program Director (Non-Profit) jobs in Nashua, NH

Growing Places is a nature based nonprofit looking serving children 6 weeks through 12 years. We are looking for an organized, upbeat, friendly professional to join our team. This position is at our Lee, NH site for children ages 6 weeks to 6 years.

MAIN FUNCTIONS:

     To provide the agency with effective early childhood programs.

     To provide parents with support through information sharing, information about educational workshops, and referral services.

     To prepare Teachers at the site for the important jobs they have accepted through implementation of a thorough orientation process, clear communication and on-going support.

     To assist Teachers in achieving their goals for growth by setting up performance agreements, acting as a resource, and modeling effective leadership.

     To provide for the site staff a warm, nurturing, safe and loving environment where differences are celebrated, respect is mutual, independence is encouraged, staff communication expectations are embraced and community is central.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Under the direction of the Executive Director and Assistant Executive Director and within established agency policies and procedures and all applicable laws performs the following:

1.   Supervise the implementation of programming at the early childhood site. Keep informed of enrollment and report changes to Executive Director and Assistant Executive Director. Take action when enrollment is low. Supervise the maintenance of an updated wait list following enrollment and wait list procedure established by the organization. Schedule Teachers and Teacher Aides in appropriate programs and monitor the child/teacher ratio as enrollment fluctuates. Act as a resource person for site staff, provide in-service training as needed, perform and assist Teacher's with sensitive parent-teacher conferences. Ensure Teacher's and Teacher Aides personnel files are up to date for licensing.

2.   With input from the Executive Director, recruit, interview and hire Teachers staying within budget constraints and making sure that ratios are within the standards for accreditation. Provide orientation for new Teachers and for staff in new positions which includes reviewing with them their job description, staff expectations, the organization's mission and policies. Set up performance goals with Teachers. Schedule Teachers as needed at the site. Ensure development of substitute list, making clear their responsibility to find themselves a sub if they need to be out.

3.   Meet with Teachers monthly at site staff meetings to provide support, share ideas, share information and give each other feedback. Prepare a preset agenda with input from the Director of Operations to guide the work at site staff meetings. Two times a year for a mid year check in and an annual review, meet with Teachers one on one to help them assess their performance, to review their performance and to set goals for their professional development. Meet with Teachers more frequently regarding their performance if necessary. Assist Teachers in their performance by being available to them regularly, as a resource and a skilled listener. When necessary take action to remove staff that are not meeting organization standards. Ensure record of professional staff development are maintained and inform parents of staff growth in monthly newsletter. Oversee and insure documentation of curriculum plans for each classroom.

4.   Hire Teacher Aides staying within budget constraints making sure that ratios are within the standards set by accreditation and keeping Teacher Aide work study ceilings in mind when setting their schedule. Provide orientation for new Teacher Aides or volunteers which includes reviewing with them their job description, staff expectations and organization policies. Provide written feedback to Teacher Aides and opportunities for discussion about their performance. Be direct about the consequences for working outside of the organization's expectations. Set up professional staff/work study partnerships to assist new employees with the training process. Provide on-going feedback and on the job training. When necessary take action to remove Teacher Aides that are not meeting the organization's standards. Schedule Teacher Aides as needed in each classroom. Create a substitute list for Teacher Aides making clear their responsibility to find themselves a sub if they need to be out.

5.   Responsible for staffing the site, keeping within the staff/child ratios the organization has set for the site and having substitutes available. Reduce Teacher Aides schedules when enrollment is under budget. Review Teacher's requests for vacation and personal days and approve or deny based on agency policies and based on coverage at the site.

6.   Schedule and supervise UNH interns fulfilling a class requirement at the site.

7.   Attend monthly professional staff meetings and attend board meetings at least four times per year and as needed. Serve as a resource person to the Board of Directors.

8.   Facilitate staff meetings for Teachers weekly and Teacher Aides as needed. Keep up to date in the field of early childhood, through reading professional journals, attending workshops and conferences, and networking with other professionals.

9.   Responsible for marketing the site in partnership with the Director of Development and Marketing. Create and effectively manage a waiting list system according to the guidelines of the organization. Market the site's programs when people call for information and ALWAYS return phone calls. Assist Teachers with informing parents of the agency policies and philosophy. Be visible and available to families at the site. Build relationships with the site families through regular communication, verbal and through a monthly newsletter. Answer parent's questions regarding policies. Always treat all families with warmth and respect.

10. Provide support for Teachers when a parent expresses a concern or complaint verbally or in writing.  Be available to participate in a phone conversation or in a meeting if necessary. Meet with any parent whose child is experiencing difficulty or whose child is targeted for intervention, be it medical, educational or psychological. Monitor communication between Teachers and parents. Keep Executive informed of all concerns from parents, staff and of course any pressing concerns from the children. Maintain documentation in keeping with the guidelines of organization. Support Teacher or Teacher Aide in reporting suspected child abuse or neglect.

11. Monitor income and expenses through monthly financial reports. Coordinate with Teachers and approve the purchase and maintenance of supplies. All purchases must be in line with the budget set for the year. Expenditures must be spread throughout the year to maintain the organization's cash flow. Ensure site petty cash expense records are maintained. Budget questions and financial concerns regarding enrollment should be discussed with the Executive Director at regularly scheduled meetings or as needed. Monitor payroll and work study spending through the use of the work study monitoring report.

12. Meet regularly with other Program Directors, Assistant Executive Director and the Executive Director to get support, share information and ideas and to work on any long term administrative projects.

13. Communicate regularly with the Executive Director, keeping her in touch with the site happenings. Meet regularly with the Executive Director, sharing with her pertinent information regarding the site. Inform the Director of Operations immediately of any problem or concern that is of a serious nature and provide written documentation within a week.

14. Organize and prepare a site newsletter to be distributed monthly to parents. Provide a copy to the Executive Director.

15. Maintain good communication lines with other agencies in the community.

RELATED FUNCTIONS:

 May assume overall responsibilities of agency operations in the absence of the Executive Director.

 Exercises care in the operation and use of child care equipment and reference materials. Maintains work area in a clean and organized manner.

 Ensures confidentiality of staff, children, families and organization matters. Maintains clear communication; establishes and maintains positive working relationships and climate of non judgement with staff, children and parents.

 Works within policies, procedures and protocols as they relate to the job. Participates as appropriate and is knowledgeable in fire, safety, disaster, infection control, and other organization programs and procedures.

 Performs similar or related duties as required or directed.

 Complies with and enforces all established organization and program policies and procedures

EDUCATION: Bachelor's Degree in child development, early childhood education or related field to include a minimum of 24 credits in early childhood education which includes 3 credits in child growth and development, 3 credits in early childhood special education and 3 in child care administration.

EXPERIENCE: 1 year experience working with children in a teaching environment; or desire to grow in a nurturing environment. 2-3 years in a supervisory role.  

CERTIFICATION: Pediatric CPR and First Aid.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES: Background check with no discrepancies.

PHYSICAL/COGNITIVE: Ability to lift up to 50 pounds; ability to perform a variety of interactions with children on the floor; ability to change children's clothes/diapers; ability to observe children within a wide range of vision and respond rapidly for safety and emergency care; ability to assess developmental needs and design appropriate learning programs; ability to demonstrate good judgment in making decisions in all aspects of child care; ability to organize time and multiple priorities; ability to conceptualize and carry out age appropriate lesson plans; ability to provide documentation as required; ability to recognize and to record significant individual and group behavior; ability to supervise teacher aide staff; and ability to write clearly and coherently observations, recommendations, narratives and newsletters.

CUSTOMER SERVICE/QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS: Even temperament; caring, warm, nurturing; ability to relate joyfully and sensitively to children; clear evidence of emotional maturity and stability; evidence of sufficient security and judgment to handle crisis situations and to use supervision constructively; ability to motivate oneself and to act when a situation warrants it; ability to establish positive relationships with children, parents and staff that are based on trust, honesty and respect.

Masters in Education with 3-5 years in supervisory role

Health, dental, life insurance, paid time off, sick time