Child Development Center Director

Overview

Job Description
Director of Open Arms Child Development Center
Zion Lutheran Church, Fairbanks, Alaska

https://www.zionfairbanks.org/home

The responsibilities of the Director can be summarized into these five areas :
Spiritual Leader
Educational Leader
Relationship Builder
Communicator
Manager

Those five areas can be broken down to include the following specific responsibilities,                                                                          which are subject to an annual review by the Board.

1. The administrator as spiritual leader
• Understands and is committed to the overall ministry of Christian Education at Zion Lutheran Church and the ministry of OACDC as part of that ministry.
• Seeks the involvement of the pastor and staff of Zion Lutheran Church in the school program. Works to involve OACDC in the life and ministry of the congregation.
• Is a Christian role model for staff and students.
• Is committed to personal growth in Word and Sacrament as a member of Zion Lutheran Church.
• Exhibits leadership in the spiritual growth of faculty, staff and students.
• Strives to make the faith curriculum and chapel services effective and meaningful for staff and students.
• Plans and implements outreach to families who may have no church background.
• Works to improve the spiritual climate of OACDC.
• Demonstrates that the spiritual mission of the school is the highest priority for time, energy and service.
• Demonstrates servant leadership.

2. The administrator as executive staff of the board
• Complies with statutes, applicable laws and government rules and regulations, including but not limited to background checks, mandatory reporting and child protection. Cooperates with the regulations of the State of Alaska and the local borough with regard to child care.
• Appropriately delegates authority and responsibility to other members of the administrative staff, including the Assistant Director and the Finance Director.
• Provides adequate information for effective board meetings.
• Cooperates with the Northwest District of the LC-MS and their staff as applicable to the OACDC.
• Works effectively with support staff.
• Sets personal and professional goals and plans to achieve them.
• Manages time effectively.
• Keeps the board informed of all school related activities, needs and successes .
• Provides written reports to the board, using the major headings of this job description.
• Responsibly carries out board policies.
• Provides leadership in the review and development of school policy, maintaining a Board Policy Manual in the school office.

3. The administrator as a manager
• Effectively manages the school office, appropriately delegating tasks to other members of the administrative staff.
• Effectively plans and administers an annual budget in cooperation with the Financial Director.
• Manages all funds with skill, integrity and responsibility. Tracks income, expense and payroll in cooperation with staff and Board treasurer.
• Assures the safety of students, faculty and families.
• Plans for efficient long-range and short-range operation of facilities and equipment.
• Supervises appropriate use of the facilities and equipment.
• Holds faculty and staff responsible for assigned tasks and procedures.
• Uses appropriate technology tools.
• Creates, implements and enforces appropriate school policies and procedures in compliance with applicable city, state and local laws and regulations.

4. The administrator as leader of curriculum, instruction and child care
• Demonstrates knowledge of curriculum trends related to early childhood.
• Is aware of student curriculum needs for specific age levels of children.
• Motivates and assists staff as they set curriculum objectives.
• Demonstrates knowledge of effective and appropriate early childhood teaching techniques.
• Plans and implements staff development activities, utilizing available local resources and agencies.
• Assists staff in selecting and evaluating instructional materials.
• Secures appropriate involvement of students, staff and community regarding curricular and/or instructional objectives.
• Provides a safe and secure environment for child care before and after the regular school day. Cooperates with local schools in providing transportation to and from schools.
• Plans and supervises child care outside of the regular school year for the benefit of the community.

5. The administrator as staff leader
• Provides appropriate praise and recognition for staff.
• Uses discretion when discussing students, staff and families.
• Manages interviewing and hiring of all staff members. Determines staff assignments to insure a balance of classroom and school responsibilities.
• Recruits staff members effectively so that all positions are filled and sufficient back-ups are also available. Recruits with an awareness of the spiritual role of the school.
• Evaluates staff responsibilities and ministry effectiveness.
• Provides clear and consistent direction for the staff.
• Demonstrates appropriate use of Matthew 18 in dealing with staff problems.
• Promotes and supports staff initiative and innovation.
• Orients and supports new staff.
• Promotes goal-setting/self-improvement for staff members.
• Uses a systematic program of teacher supervision with regular classroom visits.
• Demonstrates knowledge of professional literature/research appropriate to early childhood.
• Benefits from constructive criticism.
• Maintains membership and participation in professional organizations.
• Practices appropriate techniques of leadership.
• Models professional growth through participation in workshops, conferences and graduate courses.
• Maintains professional certifications especially those regarding accreditation of the overall program by an accrediting agency.

6. The administrator as director of student relations:
• Assists students to take responsibility for their conduct.
• Promotes students’ respect for the rights, property and opinions of others.
• Understands and respects students’ growth as individuals.
• Maintains communication with students.
• Is available before, during and after school hours for conferencing with students, parents and staff.
• Familiar with students personally while maintaining a professional relationship.
• Annually updates promotional materials and applications.
• Personally interviews all families who apply.
• Provides leadership in student retention from one level to the next.
• Helps to secure financial aid for families experiencing financial stress.
• Supports the philosophy that every child needs a Christ-centered education.

7. The administrator as director of community relations
• Works effectively with groups.
• Secures effective use of human and community resources.
• Maintains effective communication with families.
• Speaks and writes accurately and correctly.
• Develops and uses effective procedures for reporting to school constituents.
• Demonstrates knowledge of community-based activities with educational value.
• Represents the school effectively within the community and to the members of Zion Lutheran Church.
• Demonstrates patience, empathy and respect for others.
• Treats people in an unbiased and fair manner.
• Works constructively to facilitate growth in others.
• Is honest and consistent in work-related relationships.

8. The administrator as director of public relations and resource development
• Practices and encourages Biblical principles of stewardship.
• Tells the story of the school in terms of ministry and Christian education.
• Challenges and tracks congregational financial support.
• Provides timely and accurate financial reports to the Board and as needed, to the congregation.
• Actively seeks financial support from those who have a relationship with the school.
• Identifies, trains and cultivates volunteers.
• Seeks third-source funds, grants and gifts.