Community Bridges envisions a thriving community where every person has the opportunity to unleash their full potential. Our family of ten programs delivers essential services, provides equitable access to resources, and advocates for health and dignity across every stage of life.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Under the general direction of the CEO, plans, organizes, directs and controls the early education centers in compliance with Federal and State regulations; ensures that the programs meets the needs of preschool children; performs related work as required.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program Leadership & Development
- Directs the long- and short-range planning and goal setting for all programs assigned to the Early Education Division.
- Strategizes and implements ongoing advocacy efforts, on local and state levels, aimed at expanding the scope of services as appropriate.
- Administrates all aspects of the Children's Centers, ensuring compliance with Federal and State guidelines.
- Represents the Early Education Division in various current and potential funding sources.
- Assists in overall Agency program development, management and evaluation, as assigned.
Financial & Budget Management
- In cooperation with the Grants Analyst, develops and monitors the Program budgets, taking action as appropriate.
- Develops enrollment and payment procedures; prepares and submits in a timely manner, all reports required by Federal and State regulations.
Program Operations & Family Services
- Works with teachers to plan curriculum and implement learning programs.
- Ensures that an environment which fosters healthy emotional, social, cognitive and physical growth is created and maintained at the Centers.
- Ensures that safe & healthy conditions are maintained at the Centers.
- Oversees planning of menus for meals & snacks served at the Centers.
- Selects, assigns and evaluates the work of teachers, aides and other support staff; recruits volunteers to work at the Centers.
- Interviews families applying for childcare services; explains eligibility and fee requirements; ensures that parental needs for an effective program are met.
- May plan and participate in parent conferences. Works with various community organizations and agencies to coordinate services necessary to meet the needs of the children at the Centers.
- Participates in statewide and local advocacy efforts in support of child care services; involves staff and participants as appropriate.
- Cooperates with and coordinates activities with the Parents' Advisory Committees.
- Communicates effectively and respectfully with parents, volunteers and other staff at the Centers, including persons from different racial, cultural and ethnic groups and from different backgrounds and lifestyles.
Staff Management & Professional Development
- Selects, assigns and evaluates the work of teachers, aides and other support staff; recruits volunteers to work at the Centers.
- Maintains professional competence through participation in in-service education.
Job descriptions are intended to be illustrative only; they are not designed to be restrictive or to define each and every assigned duty and responsibility. In an organization of this nature, each employee is expected to perform such duties as necessary to fulfill the stated goals of the agency.
We screen all applicants, require background checks on final candidates consistent with funding regulation requirements and are a Drug-Free Work Place.
OTHER JOB DETAILS:
- This position is eligible for a $.40 per hour bilingual differential after passing a test administered by the HR department.
- This is an FLSA exempt position.
- Regular onsite attendance is required for this position.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Knowledge:
- Of program development, organization, implementation and monitoring principles and practices, with particular reference to child care programs;
- Of the methods and techniques of early childhood education;
- Of child psychology and development and of family life education;
- Of child health and first aid; and
- Of budget monitoring, recordkeeping and report preparation.
Skill:
- In program development, organization and implementation, especially as it relates to child care programs;
- In the selection, training and supervision of paid staff and volunteers;
- In teaching and supervising preschool children;
- In preparing concise written and numerical reports;
- In developing and monitoring budgets;
- In reading and interpreting complex regulations and policies;
- In acting as an advocate for childcare programs; and
- In working cooperatively with other staff, volunteers, parents and representatives of community organizations and agencies.
LICENSING REQUIREMENTS:
- Must hold or qualify for, and maintain, a Child Development Program Director Permit issued by the CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The minimum requirements to obtain a Program Director Permit are as follows:
- BA degree with 24 Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Child Development (CD) units, including core courses; plus 6 administration units and 2 adult supervision units; OR
- Teaching or Administrative Credential with 12 units of ECE, plus 3 units of supervised field experience in an ECE setting; OR
- Master’s degree in early childhood education, child/human development, or closely related field.
- Must maintain an active permit, which requires completion of a minimum of 105 hours of professional growth every five years.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
- Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred but not required.
- Must provide transcripts of college courses prior to beginning employment.
- Must be fingerprinted, complete a Child Abuse Index Check form, and be criminally cleared prior to beginning employment.
- Must provide proof of current immunization against influenza, pertussis, and measles prior to beginning employment.
- Must undergo Health Screening and TB test within 7 days of employment.
- Must provide valid CPR certification and Pediatric First Aid training certificate or be willing to obtain both within 30 days of employment.
- Must sign a “Mandated Reporter” agreement, which mandates employee to report suspected child abuse.
- Must complete Health, Safety and Nutrition training as required by California Community Care Licensing regulations.
- Must possess a valid California Driver's License, be insured, be insurable under the agency’s insurance policy, and have use of a reliable motor vehicle.
Skills Required
- Child Development Program Director Permit (California Commission on Teacher Credentialing)
- Bachelor's degree with required ECE/CD units and admin units, OR Teaching/Administrative Credential with ECE units and supervised field experience, OR Master's in ECE/Child Development or related field (to qualify for permit)
- Maintain active Program Director permit and complete minimum 105 professional growth hours every five years
- Knowledge of early childhood education methods, child psychology/development, family life education, child health and first aid
- Skill in program development, curriculum planning, staff selection/training/supervision, budget monitoring, report preparation, and interpreting regulations
- CPR certification and Pediatric First Aid training (or willingness to obtain within 30 days)
- Fingerprinting, Child Abuse Index Check, and criminal background clearance prior to employment
- Proof of immunization against influenza, pertussis, and measles; complete health screening and TB test within 7 days of employment
- Valid California driver's license, insured and insurable, and use of a reliable motor vehicle
- Bilingual English/Spanish (strongly preferred)
- Provide transcripts of college coursework prior to beginning employment
What We Do
Community Bridges is a nonprofit human-services organization serving Santa Cruz County, California. Through a family of ten programs, it provides essential support and equitable access to resources for children, families, and older adults. Its services include family resources, childcare, meals, transportation, nutrition education, senior care, and referrals, while it also advocates for health, dignity, and stronger community conditions across every stage of life.
