ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) creates and coordinates services that enhance the quality of life for Cambridge residents. Driven by the needs of residents, DHSP’s extensive services and programs touch almost every sector in the city: from newborns to senior citizens, from school-aged children to homeless families, from non-profit organizations to local employers.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Under the direction of the Director, the Preschool Program Coordinator supports the maintenance and smooth functioning of four quality preschool classrooms serving 68 children - ages 3 to 5. The Preschool Program Coordinator also serves in the capacity of program administrator when the Director is absent. Specific duties include but are not limited to the following:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

With the Director coordinating all administrative aspects of the program. According to department and state guidelines, maintaining and overseeing program records: children’s files, daily attendance sheets, timesheets, food orders, menu plans, and various required logs. Preparing for licensing visits and ensuring that all documents are current on the EEC licensing portal. Assisting in the administration of the program budget and ordering supplies.
In the absence of the Director, overseeing all site operations and ensuring that all licensing regulations and quality standards are consistently and fully followed.
Assisting the Director with monthly supervision and observations for all teaching staff. Supporting staff by modeling desired behavior and providing clear feedback to help staff meet modeled behavior. Supporting the Director in providing written annual evaluations for all staff that set performance goals for the coming year.
Supporting the Director in designing and arranging the classrooms, in accordance with EEC, NAEYC and QRIS criteria, to allow for a large variety of activities that promote children’s growing independence in using classroom resources and materials.
With the Director establishing clear and appropriate behavioral expectations for the group and each child that sets the tone for the classrooms. Ensuring that staff provide nurturing and socially responsive care to all children.
With the Director identifying children who may benefit from additional services and working with the preschool managers to communicate observations to families and coordinate referrals to third parties as needed. Following-through to achieve objectives and accommodations that specialists have written into the child’s plan.
Supporting the Director in ensuring screenings and assessments are completed in a timely fashion and shared with families at conferences.
Supporting staff in communicating with parents/guardians by offering various approaches to developing positive communication strategies in difficult situations.
Always ensuring the safety of enrolled children whether in or out of the classrooms. Implementing the DHSP emergency plan for the program and maintaining monthly logs of required safety drills.
Assisting the Director as needed in preparing for NAEYC accreditation visits. Maintaining NAEYC quality standards including the submission of the annual reports.
Working in collaboration with the preschool managers to hire new staff and complete the orientation process with new staff.
Working in conjunction with the Enrollment Coordinator to support the enrollment of children through the Cambridge Preschool Program matching. Conducting parent/guardian tours and answering questions about all DHSP preschool programs.
Participating in all program-related meetings such as meetings with supervisors, peers, program consultants, and specialists serving children in the classroom.
Actively engaging in and supporting the Department’s Race and Equity Initiative.
Maintaining professional knowledge through participation in in-service training workshops as well as meeting educational requirements established by EEC, NAEYC, the Cambridge Preschool Program, and the City of Cambridge.
Monitoring the entrance of the program to admit families at the beginning and the end of the day.
Providing classroom coverage occasionally as needed.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree required.
EEC Preschool Director qualified.
Minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Strong organizational, supervisory, curriculum and communication skills.
Strong working knowledge of NAEYC, EEC, and QRIS guidelines for quality programming.
Previous experience working with children with special needs preferred.
The City of Cambridge’s workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, WORKING CONDITIONS, WORK FLEXIBILITY AND ACCOMODATIONS:

Ability to move with agility including the ability to kneel to be at a child’s eye level.
Ability to hear children who speak in a soft voice or mumble words when distressed.
Ability to run after children in play and to respond to an emergency.
Ability to use hands and arms to move, reach, handle, and manipulate objects in the classroom.
Ability to see is required for the supervision of children.
Ability to lift a child (up to 40 pounds).
The work environment includes classroom and outdoor playgrounds and occasional field trips.
The noise level in the work environment is moderate to very loud.
Ability to travel from one site to another as needed.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:

Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
Vacation and Sick leave eligible
Paid parental leave
Sick Incentive Pay Eligible
3 Personal days
14 Paid Holidays
Management Allowance
City employee commuter benefits (T-Pass reimbursement Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle membership)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the below documents to complete your application:

Resume
Cover letter