Position Summary and Responsibilities:
Live and work in Yellowstone National Park! Little People's Learning Center is a Non-profit childcare center in Mammoth Hot Springs, WY. The Director is responsible for the daily operation and supervision of staff and children at the childcare Center. The Director will be required to perform other duties as needed to maintain the center at an optimal level for all children, their families, and the staff. Primary responsibilities include managing day-to-day operations at LPLC, plus strategic planning, staffing, supervising, budgeting, and records maintenance for the organization. The Director position is an at-will position and works at the discretion of the LPLC Board of Directors (hereafter ‘Board’). The Director reports directly to the Board and is responsible for administering the policies and procedures as set forth by the Board. The primary work location is Little People’s Learning Center in Mammoth Hot Springs, WY, but some remote work may be available as approved by the Board.
Title: Director
Reports to: LPLC Board of Directors (Chair or Co-Chair)
Duty location: Little People’s Learning Center facility, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming; some remote work as approved
Job Classification: Full-time, exempt
Qualifications:
- 2 or more years of experience in early childhood education or related field or a college degree in a related field
- Exceptional communication skills (writing, listening, and oral communication)
- Ability to lead a team and work collaboratively with your team
- Excellent leadership and organizational skills
- Excellent business management and budgeting skills
- Excellent problem solving skills
- Ability to assist staff in professional growth and development
- Ability to demonstrate and foster a kind, loving, fun learning environment for staff and children
- Self motivated with the ability to work independently and multi-task
- Ability to demonstrate and maintain confidentiality
- Ability to maintain a professional and friendly demeanor, especially during stressful situations
- Proficient in database, spreadsheet, and word processing software
- Possess and maintain a First Aid and CPR training certificate, or have the ability to attain certification as soon as practical from start date.
LPLC Mission and Core Values
- Comply with relevant and applicable laws and requirements for a licensed child care facility in Wyoming.
- Regularly evaluate policies, curriculum, staff training, and staff performance to ensure that all Center functions reflect, uphold, and promote LPLC’s mission and core values.
- Maintain open communication with Board members, staff, and families of enrolled children to ensure that the organization’s mission and core values are relevant and reflective of our community’s values.
Staff
- Interview, hire, train, discipline, evaluate, reward, terminate, and maintain qualified staff in compliance with the requirements of Wyoming statutes and regulations and Center policies and procedures.
- Inspire and foster team commitment, pride, trust, and cooperation to achieve organizational goals.
- Inform and train staff of National Park Service (NPS) agreement requirements and LPLC policy changes through staff meetings and other appropriate means of communication.
- Maintain current and accurate staff personnel records and documentation of staff qualifications and background checks.
- Supervise staff, including the development of schedules, job descriptions, and lesson plans.
- Collaborate with staff to provide age and individual-appropriate curriculum, daily lessons, and behavioral guidance strategies.
- Delegate responsibilities and tasks to staff as appropriate and necessary.
- Complete bi-annual employee evaluations to provide staff with performance feedback.
- Support opportunities for professional development through both formal and informal methods.
- Provide a safe, fair, respectful work environment free of discrimination and harassment and ensure employee confidentiality.
- Maintain employee personnel files in a confidential and secure manner.
- Assist staff with NPS housing needs, as necessary and appropriate.
Children and Families
- Work with the Board to establish policies and procedures that ensure the well being of children including but not limited to:
- Developmentally appropriate curriculum
- Positive behavior management plans
- Safe arrival and departure
- Maintain an environment that is respectful of child and family cultures, values, and differences.
- Establish communication and trust with individual children and families, resolving conflicts and disagreements in a fair and ethical manner.
- Regularly communicate to families any revisions, updates, or clarifications of policies and procedures.
- Provide a regular newsletter (at least bimonthly) to families communicating the events and activities of the Center, such as upcoming curriculum, events, fundraisers, and staff updates.
- Collect and maintain enrollment information (including but not limited to parental contact information, applications, enrollment agreements, and immunization and allergy records).
- Ensure that children’s records are current and accurate (including all Wyoming licensing required components).
- Work with new families to determine schedule and space, and track and anticipate enrollment.
- Provide families with information and assistance with community resources.
- Report evidence of suspected abuse/neglect to the Wyoming Department of Family Services and our local licensor.
Center Operations
- Work with the Board to develop and maintain an operating plan as required by NPS agreements.
- Ensure that the Center meets all NPS agreement requirements and Wyoming childcare licensing requirements including but not limited to:
- Standards of health and safety (sanitation)
- Learning environment
- Nutrition and food preparation
- Physical and emotional safety and well-being of children and staff.
- Work with the treasurer to develop the annual budget and oversee procurement and monitor expenditures to meet organizational goals.
- Track expenses and prepare quarterly and annual reports in line with approved budget.
- Track NPS reimbursable expenses and submit them to NPS and LPLC treasurer on a quarterly basis.
- Bill families and agencies for tuition and maintain accurate tuition and subsidy records.
- Send payroll documents and information to treasurer by Monday COB on payroll weeks (biweekly).
- Maintain financial records in an acceptable accounting practice and work with the Board Treasurer and hired CPA to ensure the Center is run in a fiscally sound manner.
- Maintain payroll and benefit packages consistent with Board policy.
- Ensure the Center is up to date on all accounts payable and that all appropriate taxes are paid.
- Work with the Board to establish tuition rates and procedures for collecting tuition.
- Administer policies and procedures as set forth by the Board.
- Support the Board and larger LPLC organization in conducting fundraising events in the community, as needed.
- Maintain Center records (including emergency drills, building, fire and sanitation inspections).
- Develop and update personnel and operational procedures.
- Oversee/approve orders of appropriate Center supplies for provision of care (including but not limited to food, gloves, toiletries, etc).
- Approve and order materials, supplies, and groceries for classroom programs and activities.
- Consult with the Board on staffing needs and changes in staff.
- Attend and participate in all Board meetings, providing updates as requested.
- Represent the Center in the community and act as a liaison with other partners and agencies.
- Participate in the State of Wyoming on-site inspections of the Center and submit a written report of items requiring attention to the Board.
- Cover classrooms for teacher breaks, prep time, absences, etc., to ensure that staff is well supported, children are safe and well supervised, and the Center remains within state required teacher to child ratios.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $20.50 - $22.50 per hour
Expected hours: 40 per week
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Preferred)
Experience:
- Childcare: 2 years (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Preferred)
Location:
- Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190 (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person