Preschool Director

Job Description

Job Description

About Mass Audubon
Mass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today: the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and climate change. With the help of our 160,000 members and supporters, we protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land, advocate for impactful environmental policies, offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children, and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries. Explore, find inspiration, and take action at massaudubon.org. 

About This Position
The Nature Preschool Teaching Director splits their time between the administration, and supervision of a Mass Audubon Nature Preschool (Habitat Nature Preschool in Belmont, MA) in accordance with Mass Audubon’s Action Agenda strategic goals and Mass Audubon’s education frameworks, standards, practices, and policies and teaching in one of the classrooms. A nature preschool teaching director is responsible for collaborating with their co-teachers on curriculum development, students' assessments, classroom management and daily teaching responsibilities. Specifically, they are responsible for the coordination and oversight of all curriculum and program development, licensing and risk management, marketing and registration, staff hiring and supervision, program evaluation, budget management, and direct classroom teaching responsibilities. The preschool teaching director supervises a full-time, benefited staff member and also some part-time regular schedules and per diem educators, depending on the school staffing plan and regularly teaches in the classroom and outdoors each week . They develop and manage program specific budgets with support from the Statewide Director of Nature Preschool and the Senior Director of Education and Engagement.

Application Instructions
Please submit a resume and cover letter with your ADP application.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage operations of nature preschool, meeting Mass Audubon’s early education goals and objectives for nature preschools as well as attending to the needs of children, staff and families in the school community
• Develop and steward a sense of community, belonging, and connection to nature within the preschool community
• Create and maintain with preschool faculty a healthy, safe, and positive environment for children using best practices in early childhood nature-based education
• Provide a physically and emotionally safe environment for young children both within an indoor and outdoor environment
• Develop and manage annual preschool operating budget 
• Responsible and accountable to all Mass Audubon/MA EEC health and safety policies and guidelines
• Responsible for compliance and implementation of all Massachusetts Early Education and Care licensed childcare regulations and guidelines, including preparation for re-licensing paperwork and visits, maintaining all relevant documents
• Observe, document and assess the ongoing development of students and write progress reports twice per year (when applicable) and review all written progress reports
• Work collaboratively with other wildlife sanctuary and nature center staff to ensure the operations of the preschool are in alignment with the ongoing operations of the wildlife sanctuary
• Maintain the built and natural environment so that it is safe, welcoming and an enriching environment for childhood development and learning
• Must be comfortable exploring the natural world in a variety of weather throughout the year for 2 or more hours a day
• Leads in preparation and presentation of a nature-based, multi-sensory, integrated, play-based, anti-bias and emergent curriculum for multi-age groups (3-5 years) of children in collaboration with teaching faculty that enhances the physical, social/emotional and cognitive growth of young children (this includes a regular teaching schedule)
• Understands early childhood development and manages reasonable outcomes and expectations for young children
• Communicate and work cooperatively with the Nature Preschool education staff to accomplish program goals

Management/Supervision

• Hire, train, manage, supervise and provide ongoing professional development for all preschool program staff and any volunteers 
• Maintain clear communication with the teaching staff and ensure that curriculum and instruction is of the highest quality, meets early education standards and outcomes, and is inclusive and culturally responsive
• Communicate and work cooperatively with nature preschool education staff to accomplish program goals
• Conduct monthly or bi-monthly teacher observations
• Conduct monthly staff meetings
• Manage the work schedule of regular educators and arrange substitute educators when necessary

Education  

• Lead in the preparation and presentation of a nature-based, multi-sensory, integrated, play-based, anti-bias and emergent curriculum for multi-age groups (3-5 years) of children in collaboration with co-teaching faculty that enhances the physical, social/emotional and cognitive growth of young children (this includes regularly teaching one or more preschool classes)
• Understands early childhood development and manages reasonable outcomes and expectations for young children
• Observe, document and assess the ongoing development of each child and write progress reports twice per year
• Communicate and work cooperatively with the Nature Preschool education staff to accomplish program goals
• Complete annual professional development hours as needed/required

Family Engagement

• Communicate with families about their child’s development and daily learning and play experiences including working with teaching staff to plan and conduct parent/teacher conferences
• Responsible for engaging parents/caregivers in conversations about children’s challenging behaviors and collaborating with Lead Teachers to plan meetings with families to explore appropriate strategies, interventions and possible collaboration with outside consultants
• Professionally communicate with families about classroom activities, lessons, and school community (i.e. written class messages and newsletters)
• Engage with teaching faculty and parents/caregivers in conversations about children’s challenging behaviors. Lead in the preparation and planning of meetings with parents/caregivers to explore appropriate strategies, interventions and possible collaboration with outside consultants
• Develop and facilitate family events and engagement programs

Marketing, Public/Community Relations

• Responsible for outreach and communication between families, community partners, and state agencies and will be the lead voice for the school in the community where the preschool is located
• Work collaboratively with Mass Audubon’s marketing department and Statewide nature Preschool Director to develop school marketing materials and any other publications or press that represent early education at Mass Audubon

Other

• Work with Mass Audubon early childhood education colleagues and attend education and preschool meetings as required
• Attend regular Preschool Director professional learning community meetings

Qualifications
At Mass Audubon, our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or you have a less traditional background. We are looking for applicants with the following qualifications:

Must Haves

• Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) Director 1 certification 
• Minimum of 3-5 years directing a preschool, and at least 5 years of experience teaching children aged 2-5 years old
• Excellent writing and communication skills and ability to work cooperatively and independently  
• Interest and/or experience in nature-based, emergent, play-based and anti-bias early childhood education 
• Successful candidates must pass multiple background record checks, as required by Mass Audubon and Department of Early Education and Care, including CORI/DCF/SORI and fingerprints
• Three employment references 
• First and CPR preferred but not necessary; training provided

Nice to Haves

• Knowledge of natural history topics

Compensation, Benefits and Perks
This position’s pay is $56,500-$58,750 per year; actual salary will reflect level of experience and qualifications relative to position requirements. 

Benefits eligible staff at Mass Audubon may elect to enroll in medical, dental, and vision plans. Mass Audubon also offers disability and life insurance plans, a retirement plan through MetLife, and Flexible Spending Account options. Mass Audubon employment also includes access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and the Reciprocity Agreement through the Consortium of Non-Profit Arts/Cultural/Environmental Organizations of New England. Mass Audubon employees also enjoy 13 paid holidays (holidays may shift annually due to where days fall within calendar).

Work Schedule
Full-time schedule of 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday for 44 weeks (late August through June) and 15 hours/week for 8 weeks (summer months).

Approximate Workload Distribution  

• 50-60% teaching, curriculum development and instruction; program support including design and upkeep of classrooms and outdoor learning areas; family communication and reports. 
• 40-50% administrative work related to preschool business. 

Other Requirements
Employees must successfully complete a CORI and SORI Background Check and a Motor Vehicle Record (if applicable) is required.  

Mass Audubon’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice  
Mass Audubon embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are dedicated to forming a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Mass Audubon’s mission is to “protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and for wildlife” by building a strong coalition of employees, volunteers, and community members. We recognize that the environmental movement and field of conservation have been affected by societal systems that have limited opportunity and access for many people. As a result, Mass Audubon is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We are engaged in an ongoing process of organizational assessment and change, designed to remove barriers and create a workplace where all forms of diversity are recognized and valued 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Mass Audubon is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. Mass Audubon prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.