A Career with a Cause: 

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. Our mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. The Y strengthens the foundations of communities and families through our key areas of focus; youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility and our core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. We are committed to this cause because a strong community is achieved when we invest in our children, health, neighbors, and values. 

We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and grow. 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.  

Position Summary:   

This position supports the mission and work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization. The Early Leaning Center Director at the YMCA of Central New York is responsible for the success of all aspects of the ELC programs and areas of their assigned branch and develops and implements programs that will promote growth and retention and increase enrollment. They will foster a supportive, positive atmosphere that welcomes and respects all individuals and provides direct leadership, instruction, motivation, safety, and enjoyment for participants and staff. The ELC Director assures the well-being for each participant in line with YMCA of the USA guidelines and association policies in accordance with their training. 

Essential Functions: 

• Models the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. 
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with individuals and groups at all levels of the organization; supporting members connect with each other and the YMCA.  
• Maintains physical presence and always remains alert while on duty. 
• Knows and reviews all emergency procedures and responds to emergency situations immediately in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures; completes related reports as required. 
• Responsible for overall supervision and support of ELC Daycare, staff, and volunteers, follows and implements policies and procedures. 
• Prepares the departmental budget; reviews monthly financial reports for compliance with budget. 
• Communicates and cooperates with other Directors to coordinate facility and program needs. 
• Oversees all ELC facility changes and communicates effectively. 
• Recruits, interviews, hires, and trains departmental staff.  
• Oversees the daily workflow of the department. 
• Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations.   
• Able to understand and perform duties of their direct reports. 
• Provides expertise in the program area, staying up to date on current best practices, compliance, and trends. 
• Maintains any on-site employee records including trainings and/or required certifications. 
• Observes and follows the School Age Child Care or Child Care program guidelines as well as the regulations set by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services. 
• Knows, follows, and enforces all YMCA policies, rules, regulations, procedures, and staff expectations, including those for the prevention of child abuse.  
• Ambassador of all YMCA programs with a focus on department offerings and member engagement.  
• Performs equipment checks and ensures appropriate equipment is available as needed. Clean and store equipment per branch procedures. 
• Attends all mandatory meetings and trainings. 
• Is willing to step up, even if outside of the position description, to contribute to the overall success of the YMCA. 

Experience, Education, and Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent experience  
• YMCA Team Leader certification preferred  
• Three to five years of related experience, with supervisory experience preferred  
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community 
• Minimum age of 21  
• Budgeting experience preferred  
• Excellent interpersonal skills are critical and essential to the success of this position  
• Demonstrates excellent planning, organizational, time management, and attention to detail skills, with the ability to multi-task with minimal direction  
• Demonstrates leadership skills in an outgoing, friendly, assertive, professional, and mature manner 
• Ability to maintain confidential records. 
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software. 
• Knowledge of the philosophy, mission, leadership needs, and planning requirements of the organization preferred. 
• Must meet the minimum, qualifications and requirements as outlined by the Office of Children and Family Services.

Trainings & Certifications: 

• Must complete annual safety, combating sexual-harassment, and child abuse prevention trainings assigned by human resources prior to direct service.  
• Must have current CPR and First Aid within the first 30 days of employment.  
• Must hold Medication Administration Certification (MAT) or successfully complete within the first 60-days of employment. 
• Must complete a minimum of 30 hours of training every 2 years with the first fifteen hours being received within the first 6 months of employment as required by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (many training sessions will be held during the monthly staff meetings). 

Physical Demands:

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. In accordance with applicable law, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform these essential functions.

Work Environment:  

This job operates in a recreational and/or educational environment. This role routinely uses standard recreation and/or office equipment. At times, employees may be exposed to undesirable working conditions, communicable infectious diseases, and risk of injury from others.  All employees are required to always follow the preventative health policies of the YMCA.  The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.