Child Development Center Director

Quick Facts

• Role: Child Development Center Director (Medium/Large)
• Scope: Direct and operate a large early childhood development center (200+), serving children ages 6 weeks through 12 years
• Key services: full-time child development programs, emergency care, special needs care, developmental assessments, staff training, and parent education

Description

The Child Development Center (CDC) Director administers a developmentally appropriate early childhood program for eligible patrons and provides oversight for a large center. The role includes managing program delivery, supervising staff and volunteers, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance, supporting budgeting, and coordinating with families and installation leadership. You will ensure curriculum and operations align with DoD/DoN policies and relevant child care standards.

Responsibilities

• Supervise developmental programming using child development principles; support social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth by age category
• Ensure safety, accountability, and compliance with Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Navy (DoN), and local policies/standards
• Develop and analyze surveys and needs assessments; maintain up-to-date statistical data for planning and reporting
• Prepare budget inputs and written analysis of budget variances; justify funding needs; oversee collection, accounting, and reporting of patron funds; ensure proper use of appropriated/nonappropriated funds
• Supervise employees and volunteers: selection, assignments, training, promotions, disciplinary actions, recognition, performance standards, and resolution of complaints
• Coordinate competency-based training with a Training and Curriculum (T&C) Specialist and support continuing higher education
• Contribute to CYP standard operating procedures (SOPs); support parent involvement board; ensure distribution of employee/parent handbooks
• Maximize program space utilization and coordinate with the Central Waiting List (CWL) process to fill vacancies quickly
• Ensure curriculum development/implementation and compliance with DoD/DoN standards, Military Child Care Act (MCCA), and NAEYC
• Comply with child abuse and neglect reporting requirements and USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) nutrition standards
• Serve as a mandatory reporter to Family Advocacy and Child Protective Services

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Pass E-Verify employment verification; resolve discrepancies
• Pass a pre-employment physical, provide immunization evidence, be free of communicable diseases, and obtain appropriate immunizations
• Obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance as needed
• Pre-employment and random drug testing required; positive results or failure to test may end eligibility
• Complete required training certificates; maintain certifications/credentials required by DoD Child and Youth Programs

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience and knowledge/skills/abilities (KSAs) relevant to this position
• 4 years of full-time experience working with children and/or youth plus appropriate education, or a qualifying combination of education and experience
• Knowledge of child development principles and managing complex programs (safety/security, disease prevention, employee training, developmentally appropriate activities, parent involvement, facility management)
• Knowledge of DoD/DoN, local, and state regulations for military child care
• Knowledge of federal and state laws for detection and prevention of child abuse/neglect
• Knowledge of facility design, functional use, and maintenance concepts for military child care
• Knowledge of financial management, budgeting, and purchasing for a child development program
• Ability to supervise others and exercise sound business skills with strong personnel management
• Effective English communication (oral and written) and strong interpersonal communication skills

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in an approved field (ECE/child development/education-related/special education with ECE concentration/child care administration, etc.) plus 4 years of full-time child/youth experience
• OR an equivalent education+experience combination: child-related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, plus 4 years of full-time child/youth experience
• Submit required documentation (H.S. diploma/GED/transcripts showing degree conferred) when applying

Additional compliance and background-check information

• Drug-free workplace requirements under Executive Order 12564; marijuana is illegal under Federal law regardless of state law
• Installation Records Check (IRC) required, including checks in ADMITS, FFSMIS, and Navy justice/security systems for suitability (per DoDI 1402.05)
• Automatic disqualification for certain convictions or child-related/felony drug offenses per DoDI 1402.05

Benefits

Review our benefits.