Early Childhood Director

Organization Overview: The Goddard Riverside Community Center (Goddard Riverside) and the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center (Isaacs Center) are well-established Manhattan community-based agencies that support services to approximately 30,000 New Yorkers. We are two of New York City’s leading human services organizations meeting the needs of children, youth and families, homeless individuals, and older adults through-out Manhattan and New York City. We work every day for a fair and just society where all people have the opportunity to make choices that lead to better lives for themselves and their families.

Description: Goddard Riverside requires a education director to provide daily oversight of the educational and administrative aspects of our 64thStreet Early Childhood Education site. Goddard Riverside has two early childhood centers for working families and their children aged 2 to 5. Under the direction of the ECE (Early Childhood Education) Cluster Leader the director will provide leadership to the site educators and support staff assigned to the center. The Education Director will be responsible for the daily operations, including food service at the site.

Purpose of Position: Ensure safe operation and educational enrichment of the center, provide a point of welcome and information for parents and support for site staff.

Salary Range: $80,000-$90,000

• Ensure best practice in quality education for the preschool community
• Provide a welcoming community for families.
• Monitor classrooms to ensure teaching staff are supported in delivery of age-appropriate curriculum
• Support educators in developing lesson plans and individual plans that meet the needs of all children.
• Ensure daily record-keeping including child and staff attendance and food service records
• Ensure the schedule is developed and followed to ensure all activity expectations are met as prescribed for a substantial part of the day.
• Ensure safety protocols are observed in the indoor and outdoor classrooms and on activities outside the center.
• Keep Cluster Leader abreast of site visits from regulatory agencies; have all site records (children, staff, and service) and practices audit ready.
• Participate as needed in planning for the Early Childhood Education department
• Participate in departmental and agency training sessions
• Other tasks as needed

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

• Master's degree in early childhood education combined with NYS (New York State) Certification in Early Childhood Education required.
• Experience working with ACS/DOE funded Day Care and/or Head Start programs as well as DOE UPK programs
• Minimum of five (5) years of teaching experience in early childhood classrooms
• Two (2) or more years of experience in a ECE supervisory/management role
• Experience with Article 47 and Union Collective Bargaining agreement
• Must successfully complete background checks required by funding agencies (fingerprinting, child abuse check, staff exclusion list, sex offender registry check, etc.)
• MAT Certified preferred

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Ability to work independently and as a team
• Knowledge of Article 47 of Dept of Health
• Ability to supervise, coach and collaborate with staff
• Ability to take initiative in work assignments
• Ability to work flexible hours
• Must be highly organized with an excellent work ethic
• Must be able to determine the appropriate relationship levels with staff and maintain appropriate leadership role
• Must be able to handle working on multiple projects at once
• Prior Knowledge of ACS and HRA (Human Resources Administration) subsidized funding for families preferred
• Knowledge of DOE UPK, Day Care and Early Learn Policies and Procedures
• Must have some knowledge of CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) guidelines
• Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills and ability to multi-task
• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred

Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have/be:

• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.)
• Knowledge of ProCare or willingness to learn
• Knowledge of DOE Interdisciplinary Units of Study and Building Blocks Math Curriculum
• Basic Computer Troubleshooting/Printer Troubleshooting skills preferred but not required
• Basic knowledge of emailing and using phone apps to communicate with families (i.e., Remind)

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and bend up to 30lbs, ability to get down on the floor and play outside with the children
• Ability to push and pull up to 30lbs
• Occasional travel to training sessions

Work Environment

• Office with Occasional Classroom Coverage

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace community grounded in respect for differences. We support hiring a broadly diverse team of qualified individuals who will contribute to our organizations.

Goddard Riverside and Isaacs Center provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of this position and title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.