Executive Director
Company/Organization: Gold Creek Child Development Center
Location: Juneau, Alaska
Application Dates: April 01-30, 2024
Job Description
Overview:
Gold Creek Child Development Center (Gold Creek or the Center) seeks a dedicated Executive Director to lead its early childhood center in Juneau, Alaska. Gold Creek is fully accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and is federally-sponsored, operating in the Juneau federal building. At Gold Creek, we believe all children deserve to be loved, respected, and appreciated. We value each child as an important and capable individual and strive to create developmentally appropriate environments that stimulate children's curiosity while allowing children to learn through self-chosen play.
Gold Creek offers a warm, friendly, and professional environment, with countless opportunities to make a positive impact on the lives of children. Gold Creek is a non-profit, independent child development center for children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. At full enrollment, the Center serves approximately 60 children with a staff of 20 talented and passionate educators and administrators. Gold Creek is rooted in a strong community of administrators, teachers, families, and its Board of Directors.
Qualifications:
The Executive Director must meet the following qualifications, experience, and qualities:
- Meet or be willing to obtain NAEYC qualifications for a director/program administrator, including a bachelor’s degree in: (1) early childhood education, child development, elementary education, or early childhood special education; or (2) another major with at least 36 college credits in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, and/or early childhood special education; or (3) state public school certification to practice as a teacher for children from birth to eight years old. The Executive Director must also have or be willing to obtain 9 higher education credit hours in business and program administration.
- Have or be willing to obtain general knowledge of NAEYC criteria for child care programs and be able to evaluate and implement NAEYC child development curriculum.
- Meet or be willing to obtain all requirements under Alaska law. See 7 AAC § 57.300 (Qualifications of an Administrator).
- Have an understanding of child development, the ability to care for children, and the skills to work effectively with children.
- Have experience managing staff, including hiring, evaluating performance, and performance improvement.
- Have strong communication skills and the ability to relate meaningfully and effectively with children, parents, and staff of diverse backgrounds, as well as with community agencies and other stakeholders.
- Possess strong customer service skills.
- Have or be willing to obtain competence in managing Gold Creek’s finances, including grants/subsidies, budgeting, etc.
- Have a demonstrated ability to manage processes, including attention to timelines, due dates, task prioritization, and solving problems that arise unexpectedly.
- Possess a deep and proven commitment to the success of all children and a strong belief in the potential of every child.
- Be at least 21 years of age.
- Pass State of Alaska and Federal background checks. (Gold Creek will provide the person selected for this position with support seeking these background checks. Hiring will be dependent upon the results of those background checks.)
Duties and Responsibilities:
Gold Creek’s Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and manages Gold Creek’s daily operations, along with the Assistant Director. To continue Gold Creek’s success and improve the education and services it provides students and families, the Executive Director will:
- Operate an efficient, organized, and high-quality child development center. The Executive Director will supervise Gold Creek’s child care program, with an emphasis on overseeing the planning and implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum and activities, with the assistance and support of the Assistant Director. They will oversee and ensure the smooth day-to-day operation of Gold Creek. They will also manage enrollment and class transitions. In addition, the Executive Director will strive to enhance the daily curriculum in each classroom, and will provide guidance and support for classrooms to improve teachers’ ability to focus on children and minimize and quickly address disruptions.
- Manage a dedicated and caring staff. The Executive Director will recruit, hire, evaluate, and retain a team of high quality, diverse staff, striving to keep turnover low and morale high. They will create an environment that enables teachers to perform their best work, and provide mentoring and effective support to help teachers improve their skills as needed. They will maintain and foster a collegial and supportive environment that values diversity.
- Communicate and work effectively with the Gold Creek community. The Executive Director will provide regular, meaningful, and effective written and oral communication to the Gold Creek community, including Gold Creek families, children, and staff. They will also communicate effectively with families seeking to enroll their children in Gold Creek.
- Communicate and work effectively with the Board of Directors. The Executive Director will communicate regularly and effectively with the Board of Directors and support the Board’s strategic planning activities. In turn, the Board will provide the Executive Director with a clear strategic plan and other support as needed.
- Supervise Gold Creek’s business and financial affairs. The Executive Director will effectively and prudently manage Gold Creek’s budget and work within available resources, with the assistance of external bookkeeping and accounting services. They will assist in the preparation of an annual budget and execute the budget, working with the Board of Directors to ensure the financial sustainability and health of Gold Creek, including pursuing and managing grants and subsidies for Gold Creek. The Board of Directors will support the Executive Director with these responsibilities.
- Communicate and work effectively with representatives of the General Services Administration (GSA). The Executive Director will work with GSA to ensure Gold Creek’s space in the Juneau federal building is well-maintained and appropriate for children.
- Maintain accreditation and general compliance. The Executive Director will ensure Gold Creek is compliant with all State of Alaska rules and regulations, including health and safety standards, and maintain Gold Creek’s NAEYC accreditation. They will review and promptly address recommendations and issues that regulators and NAEYC accreditation representatives make.
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