Assistant Director/Center Manager (HS/EHS)

Job Description

Job Description

About This Role

Position Overview

The Assistant Director, in conjunction with the Site Director, provides leadership and helps ensure the safety, welfare, and education of every child enrolled in the program. This position supports the daily operations of the center and ensures that all activities align with the philosophy, goals, and mission of JO’s Early Learning Academy II, Inc.

The Assistant Director assists with ensuring compliance with Early Head Start/Head Start Performance Standards, NAC accreditation standards, Department of Children and Families (DCF) licensing regulations, and Milwaukee Choice program requirements.

The Assistant Director also functions as the center’s Education Coordinator, meeting with staff and families to address questions or concerns and providing referrals to appropriate community resources. In collaboration with the Site Director, this position supports the implementation of educational services, compliance monitoring, and overall program operations.

Program Operations and Leadership

• Assist the Site Director in supervising daily center operations, including teachers, classrooms, scheduling, and staff breaks.
• Assist with monitoring compliance with the employee handbook, state regulations, and federal program requirements.
• Assist in problem-solving and addressing operational issues within the center.
• Demonstrate initiative as a self-starter, able to work independently, prioritize tasks, and proactively support center operations.
• Maintain professional punctuality and reliability, modeling strong attendance and time management expectations for staff.

Education and Program Quality

• Ensure classroom assessments are completed accurately and on time.
• Conduct bi-weekly formal classroom observations and provide coaching plans for teachers.
• Participate in CLASS observation debriefs with the Instructional Coach and teaching staff.
• Monitor education services to ensure families receive required home visits and parent-teacher conferences.
• Collaborate with the site team to implement classroom-level parent engagement meetings and learning experiences.

Compliance and Monitoring

• Participate in the program self-assessment process.
• Support the implementation of the program’s ongoing monitoring plan.
• Assist with the SHAREs monthly classroom health and safety monitoring process to ensure compliance with licensing and program standards.
• Ensure staff files are continuously updated and maintained in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Health and Family Services

• Collaborate with the Early Learning and Inclusion Specialist to implement early intervention and mental health services for children.
• Collaborate with the Health Coordinator to develop and implement schedules for dental, vision, and hearing screenings.
• Monitor in-kind participation at the center.
• Build positive relationships with families and ensure family engagement initiatives are implemented effectively.

Staff Support and Development

• Support recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and performance evaluations for staff.
• Facilitate reflective supervision for direct reports when assigned.
• Attend all required meetings and training sessions, including supervisory training.

Communication and Collaboration

• Develop and distribute a monthly site newsletter for staff.
• Collaborate with site leadership to develop and distribute a monthly center calendar.
• Build positive relationships with families, teachers, state licensing authorities, community partners, and stakeholders.
• Participate in community organizations to increase awareness of quality early learning and care and to advocate for children and families.

Administrative and Operational Support

• Assist the Site Director in maintaining an annual inventory of classroom supplies and equipment.
• Assist with ordering program, school, and classroom supplies and maintaining adequate inventory for center operations.
• Assist with ordering school meals through the MCFI meal portal and ensuring meal service requirements are met.
• Collaborate with team members to support the NAC accreditation process.

Operational Coverage

• Serve in various roles throughout the center as needed, including teacher, cook, or driver when operational needs require.
• Assist the Center Director in supporting teaching staff, engaging families, and achieving enrollment, accreditation, and operational goals.

Dress Code for Leadership Professionals

• Business casual attire must be worn at all times.
• JELA branded jackets and sweaters are permitted.
• Adequate undergarments are required.

Accountability and Performance Expectations

All staff members are responsible for fulfilling the duties of their roles efficiently and effectively. Each employee contributes to the success of the organization and must uphold JO’s Early Learning Academy II, Inc.’s mission, vision, standards of conduct, ethics code, and administrative decisions.

Employees must maintain a professional work environment and interact appropriately with children, families, coworkers, supervisors, and the public while meeting performance expectations.

Additional Duties

Employees may be required to perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Site Director, Executive Director, or leadership team to support the operations and mission of JO’s Early Learning Academy II, Inc.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Education, or a related field required (Master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in Early Childhood Education.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative as a self-starter.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced early childhood environment.
• Local travel may be required for work-related duties (up to 10%).

Physical Demands

• Primarily active work environment.
• Ability to occasionally lift, hold, or move up to 50 pounds.
• Required biannual physical exam and TB test as a condition of employment.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, sit on the floor, walk, reach, climb, crouch, and crawl.
• Ability to interact with children indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all employees and applicants. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person