School Age Child Care Director

The Director of School Age Child Care supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. He/She oversees the development, implementation and operations of the overall after school child care program, ensuring the program is of highest quality and meets its intended goals. He/She provides safe, motivational and knowledgeable leadership to the members, volunteers, families and program participants.  All Merrimack Valley YMCA staff will help champion a culture of service excellence and support and advocate the mission and values of the YMCA.

Branches: Lawrence

Status: Exempt, Full time

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day.  We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you. To thrive in this role you must have a strong sense of compassion and understanding, and an interest in working directly with youth, and the ability to communicate effectively with children, education teams, and colleagues.

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent experience.
• YMCA Team Leader certification preferred.
• One to two years related experience (e.g., supervisor or coordinator of child care programs) preferred.
• Within 30 days of hire, completion of Child Abuse Prevention, Working with Program Volunteers, CPR, First Aid, AED, and Bloodborne Pathogens training.
• Fulfillment of state-specific hiring standards and completion of YMCA program-specific training.
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
• Commitment to inclusion and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

• Must be EEC Group Leader qualified.
  • At least 20 years of age and meet one of the following sets of requirements:
    • Have a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education or related field, and six months experience working with School Age children; or
    • Have a Bachelor’s Degree in any field and have nine months experience working with School Age children;  or
    • Have a high school diploma or equivalent, and have one year of experience working with School Age children.
• Maintain current CPR certification and First Aid throughout employment.
• Must know, understand and display full knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for school aged children.
• Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be familiar with Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) Licensing Regulations.
• Must be familiar with Massachusetts Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) Standards.
• Multilingual is a plus.

• Manages the school-age child care program, including developing and monitoring the program budget to meet fiscal objectives; compiling program statistics to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of and participation in the program; securing, scheduling, and maintaining the needed facilities; creating and scheduling the activities or events; and maintaining program records or files.
• Ensures programs and services meet community needs to include supervising existing program activities, establishing new program activities, and expanding the program within the community as needed. Assists in the marketing and distribution of program information.
• Assures compliance with federal, state, EEC and local regulations as they relate to program areas, including ADA accommodations where appropriate; ensures that YMCA program standards are met and safety procedures followed.
• Reviews program plans and records to ensure consistency with evidence-based best practices.
• Recruits and hires diverse staff and volunteer teams across multiple dimensions of diversity. Onboards and develops them for success. Maintains staff schedules and evaluates staff performance.
• Models relationship-building skills in all interactions; develops and maintains collaborative relationships with staff, parents and caregivers, and community organizations (e.g., state child care licensing agency, school administration) to maximize program impact and drive overall outcomes; maintains regular, clear, and concise communication within area of responsibility.
• Organizes or participates in Y activities, such as committees, special events, and fundraising.
• Work closely with and supervise Group Leaders with planning and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum.
• Follow all Risk Management codes and policies as well as maintain an overall clean and safe environment.
• Child Abuse Prevention: This position supports the YMCA’s commitment to child abuse prevention by:
  • Reporting any items that may provide a health or safety hazard to staff, members or guests to your supervisor and the Risk Department
  • Following all policies and procedures related to keeping children safe in our facilities and programs, including those related to the monitoring and supervision of children
  • Reporting any suspicious behavior and violation of policy and procedures to your supervisor and the Risk Department
  • Completing all child abuse prevention training as required
• Responsible for Manager on Duty shifts as directed by the Branch Leadership.

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer and phone/smart device.
• The employee frequently is required to sit and reach, and must be able to move around the work environment.
• The employee needs sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions and to safely supervise program activities. They must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

• Collaboration
• Program & Project Management
• Engaging Community
• Philanthropy

• Ensure family satisfaction by daily in person communication, as well as, phone calls and written communication as necessary.
• Initiate and represent a high quality of service and connectedness with all members, participants, volunteers, child care families and potential members/child care families in the child care classrooms and throughout the YMCA.
• Be knowledgeable about various YMCA programs and events information.
• Be available to families, program participants and staff for questions, concerns, comments and follow up as needed.

• Provides leadership and support of Annual Campaign that result in achievement of our annual fund-raising goal.
• Actively promote membership within department. Encourage families to participate in a vast array of YMCA classes, programs and special events.  Increase visibility and credibility of YMCA programs.

• Wear your staff shirt and name badge during work hours.
• Attend a minimum of twenty (20) training hours per year and update your skills as position demands.
• Attend mandatory monthly two hour staff meeting.
• Attend and help out at YMCA Branch events.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Senior Management.

• Growth and high retention of participants/ families who understand the YMCA Mission and Goals.
• High quality programming in the YMCA School Age Program.
• Staff, volunteers, children and members will be developed through age appropriate activities and students will be prepared to attain their highest social, emotional and academic growth to prepare them to be successful in a public/ private school setting.

The core values that guide the YMCA in fulfilling the mission and goals are: Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility. We instill these values in all programs while making healthier lives achievable for everyone.

We offer an exciting and innovative work environment with a culture committed to serving all members of our community. If you would like to be a member of our dynamic team, please forward your letter of interest and resume with four references to jdinsmore@mvymca.org or mail to: Mary Jane Dinsmore, Chief Human Resources Officer, 360 Merrimack Street, Suite 270, Lawrence, MA  01843.