Site Director - Taylor Center

I. Position Summary

The Site Director must have a passion for creating a safe and nurturing environment for children to receive a quality education, and outstanding people skills to be able to grow and maintain relationships with children, families, and staff. This position will be responsible for staff performance and personnel management, center enrollment, program operations, budget management, facilities management of the center, compliance with contracts, and community relations.

II. Education & Certification Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood education, early special education, or child development from birth to age 6. Level 2 Illinois Director Credential or higher.

  OR

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field w/ 21 credit hours related to early childhood education, early special education, or child development from birth to age 6, teaching experience in an early childhood setting (0-6 years), and a Level 2 Illinois Director Credential or higher.
• Master’s degree in an early childhood field is preferred.
• Minimum of two years of experience in a supervisory role in an early childhood setting.

  *Staff responsible for overseeing services for infant toddler programs must have Gateways to Opportunity Infant Toddler Credential Level 5 or above.

  III. Experience & Training Requirements

• Must demonstrate effective leadership skills.
• Must have extensive knowledge of Head Start and Early Head Start, Creative Curriculum, the Reggio Emilia approach, CLASS, and Teaching Strategies GOLD (preferred).
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must have in-depth knowledge of best practices in early education.
• Must have a deep understanding of developmentally appropriate practices in early education.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and manage many projects at once.
• Must have knowledge of supervision and/or supervisory experience.
• Must have the ability to work well under stress.
• Must have outstanding people skills and the ability to develop, grow, and maintain relationships with others.
• Must be able to take initiative, use sound judgment when making decisions.
• Must be able to serve as an advocate for children and families.
• Must be organized and detail oriented.
• Must exhibit excellent critical thinking skills.
• Must exude patience when implementing techniques to support students.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to collaborate effectively and appropriately with others.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality.
• Required to speak and read English proficiently, bilingual a plus.

  IV. Desired Outcomes

• Identifies own learning needs and takes the steps necessary to develop skills and set challenging goals - working with direct supervisor on a yearly professional development plan.
• Monitors the teaching team paperwork including, but not limited to, lesson planning, observations of children, and children’s binders and provides reports to the EQI team on a monthly basis.
• Submits yearly renewal application for Gateways ExceleRate and maintains GOLD status.
• Submits annual report to NAEYC and ensures NAEYC guidelines are always followed within the program.
• Submits renewal application to DCFS every three years and ensures the center remains in compliance with all DCFS regulations.
• Responsible for hiring and maintaining a high-quality teaching team that is aligned with Chicago Commons ambitious standards for education.
• Responsible for the recruitment of eligible children, developing a school-specific marketing plan to ensure that the center is fully enrolled and meets funder requirements.
• Create a program environment that is positive, fun, collaborative, and respectful.

  V. Essential Job Requirements & Duties

• Contribute to the development of Chicago Commons’ child development philosophy and goals.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with children and families using a strength-based approach that is respectful, supportive, and culturally sensitive.
• Operate a quality program that meets the needs of children, families, and staff.
• Ensure compliance with all city, state, federal, and accrediting regulations.
• Interview and hire qualified staff.
• Lead new staff orientation/onboarding and file compliance.
• Formally observe, evaluate, and oversee the professional development of staff.
• Support staff in developing and achieving goals as outlined in professional development planning
• Ensure classroom teams are creating an atmosphere in which children develop socially, emotionally, intellectually, and physically.
• Ensure the consistent implementation of the Reggio Emilia philosophy and ongoing use the Studios.
• Establish strong record-keeping systems and monitor program budget, using sound judgment in expenditures.
• Work with Facilities to ensure the center environment is clean and safe.
• Coordinate and/or support parent meetings and family events.
• Establish positive, professional relationships between Chicago Commons’ staff, the surrounding community, and funders.
• Handles challenges with clients or staff in a way that results in others feeling respected and valued.
• Communicates with parents, students, and coworkers in a manner that reflects concern for their well-being by treating all with respect, integrity, and dignity without regard to background, race, religion, age, gender, disability, or sexual orientation.
• Attends and participates in monthly leadership meetings.
• Monitors to ensure the teaching team meets all DCFS, NAEYC, and Gateways qualifications.
• Shows leadership in interactions and conduct with peers and clients and always conducts oneself in a professional manner.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding client and staff’s personal information.
• Works well with others, offering help when needed and seeking assistance when necessary.
• Attends and participates in appropriate trainings.
• Always interacts with staff, children and families in a respectful, supportive, and positive manner ensuring individuals feel safe and that their voices are heard in the learning process and daily activities.
• Works with teaching teams to ensure paperwork is completed and submitted on time and supports teams as necessary when assistance is needed.
• Notifies supervisor of any challenges in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates ethical behaviors in all activities and interactions.
• Other duties as assigned.

  Physical Requirements: (The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform.) The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.

  Employment Conditions: This job description is to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee’s ability to perform the duties as described. This job description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned as deemed appropriate commensurate to the position. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and Chicago Commons reserves the right to change this job description and /or assign tasks deemed appropriate.

  Working Conditions: (The unavoidable, externally imposed conditions under which the work must be performed, and which create hardship for the incumbent including the frequency and duration of occurrence of physical demands, environmental conditions, demands on one’s senses, and mental demands.) 

  Applicants may review information regarding disqualifying criminal offenses under DCFS Disqualifying Convictions: Section 385 Appx.A

  To learn more about Chicago Commons' benefits package, please clickHERE.

  Chicago Commons is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, marital or parental status, sexual orientation including gender identity, gender expression, military discharge status, physical or mental disability, or any other status or characteristic protected by law. In addition, Chicago Commons provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws (including during the application or hiring process).