Early Education Program Director - Inquilinos Boricuas En Accion

Early Education Program Director (Full-Time / Non-Exempt)

Organization: Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción, Inc.
Location: Boston, MA
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Supervisor: Chief Program Officer

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION: Established in 1968, IBA - Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción is a dynamic community development corporation in Boston's South End. IBA's mission is to empower and engage individuals and families to improve their lives through high-quality affordable housing, education, and arts programs.

JOB SUMMARY: The Preschool Program Director is responsible for overseeing the daily management and operations of the program ensuring program objectives are met, guide the overall direction of the program and our mission fully integrated. As part of Boston's UPK (Universal Pre-K) the PS Program Director will focus on program administration, credential compliance, monitoring and managing administrative aspects of the program that includes supervising teachers, meeting regulatory requirements, accreditation, budget, contingency changes, and the PS's kitchen achieving goals and budgetary compliance. Reports to Chief Program Officer.

This position is for you if you:

• Want to be part of a mission-based organization serving the evolving needs of Boston's Puerto Rican, Latino-identified and our expanding IBIPOC community.
• Are comfortable in an environment of change and know how to craft new ways of doing things, while being adept at balancing practical implementation with leading inclusive processes.
• Recognize that an organization committed to engaging constituents must also deeply engage employees.
• Do whatever it takes and go the extra mile-from participating on Leadership Team, to organizing activities, meeting with parents and community to routine administrative and program management tasks.
• Like to lead by influence rather than by command.
• Are curious! When you see a problem, you ask questions and seek multiple points of before coming to a solution.
• Seek to identify and address conflict and to develop staff members' ability to have productive difficult conversations.
• Can prioritize competing interests, juggle multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Believe that transparency helps to facilitate ownership and enjoy sharing information and communicating with others.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Management & Operations

• Provides direct management and oversight of the program.
• Directs supervision and coordination program staff schedule.
• Supports and advances program staff in meeting their professional development and program goals identifying courses and trainings for educators.
• Oversees, develops and implement all guidelines and policies with the purpose of ensuring compliance with all funding/grants and government regulations, as well as maintaining alignment with organization's mission.
• Oversees and monitors documentation and evaluation according to Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) regulations and requirements to assure compliance.
• Manages waiting list and enrollment process.
• Manages licensing and regulations establish by EEC, NAEYC and others.
• Manages weekly food menu.
• Establishes high customer service, positive and productive relationships with families and other collateral agencies toward the support of the program.
• Maintains a commitment to professionalism as established by the NAEYC.
• Maintains a system of addressing concerns as outlined by IBA policy and procedures manual.
• Prepares the necessary management reports as required by Finance and others as needed.

Academic

• Develops, plans, implements dual language program curriculum, assessment and instructional models that conform to proven best practices.
• Accesses, documents and monitors the development needs of individual children on a regular basis, ensures health, safety, education and social development of each child in the group.
• Provides daily experiences/activities which stimulate physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth and develops language and literacy skills of children through the use of developmentally appropriate practices and curriculum that are based on each child's developmental progress and needs.
• Follows routines daily which help children keep themselves and others, healthy and safe such as hand washing, toileting, brushing teeth, and appropriate classroom management techniques.
• Promotes positive self-esteem in children and motivate children towards a positive attitude for learning.
• Schedules and conducts formal, individual parent-teacher conferences at least three times per year, as well as, communicating on a regular basis with parents/family members to build mutual understanding, greater consistency for children and information sharing.
• Maintains record and data of each child's progress and development; prepare written report prior to parent conference and provide copies for the child's permanent records.

Data Monitoring & Evaluation

• Oversees program & client accurate data entry into salesforce and EEC waiting list, UPK, and other databases.

Other Responsibilities

• Participates fully in the organization's annual events, Three Kings Day, Membership Drive, Board Election, Festival Betances, and other events related to the community;
• Other duties as may be directed and needed

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree in Early Education or related field, Master's degree preferred
• Minimum 3+ years of experience teaching in early childhood education.
• EEC Director II Certification
• Bilingual, Spanish-English verbal and written fluency,
• Three years minimum Supervisory experience required.
• Experience in partnership management and development.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills for various audiences and levels internally and externally including parents and community.
• Strong administrative, organizational skills and attention to details.
• Budget management and business acumen
• Ability to work autonomously and in a team setting.
• Effective at working with others to reach common goals and objectives.
• Conveys complex ideas through brief, simple materials.
• Experience with program evaluation, data collection and analysis.
• High degree of computer literacy experience and competencies using technology i.e. Microsoft Office products (word, excel, PowerPoint), Outlook, video meeting platforms (i.e. Zoom and data base software applications i.e. Salesforce.com is required.
• Good character, mature judgment and a strong sense of responsibility and dedication.
• Highly positive and enthusiastic style; capable of motivating others.
• Outstanding project management skills, with the ability to drive complex, multi-faceted projects forward to deliver results on time; advanced problem-solving and decision-making skills and the ability to multi-task and handle a high-pressure environment with timeline pressures.
• Experience working in an urban community with diverse population.
• Customer service mindset.
• Able to work flexible schedule.

Compensation and Benefits

IBA is proud to offer very competitive starting pay range commensurate with experience, and a robust benefit plan that includes an 80/20 premium cost share for comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance; a generous HRA provided by the company $9,100 or $18,200 based on single and family coverage) and other built in supports that significantly reduces or eliminates out of pocket medical expenses. We offer a 403b plan with annual employer contribution, generous paid time off.

Workplace Culture

IBA is located in Boston's historic South End in an ethnic and culturally rich Latin and broadly diverse IBIPOC community. IBA management and staff represent the community. The majority of staff are BIPOC and Spanish bilingual. Our commitment to inclusion, equity and empowerment is inherent in IBA's mission, imbedded in our values and demonstrated in the ways we work together to achieve mission impact and outcome goals.