Early Childhood Services Site Director-Ithaca

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Job description

Overview:

Are you a passionate and experienced leader in early childhood education looking to make a meaningful impact in a supportive, fun, and dynamic environment? Racker is excited to invite applicants for the full-time Early Childhood Services Site Director position to oversee our preschool special education and childcare programs in Ithaca. As a Site Director at Racker, you will lead a dedicated team of special education teachers, daycare teachers, teaching aides, and assistants. You'll oversee five preschool special education classrooms and three infant/toddler childcare classrooms, fostering a collaborative environment that celebrates growth, learning, and play. In addition to your team, you'll partner closely with related services programs both within Racker and the community to ensure a seamless, holistic approach to child development.

What You'll Do:

Lead, motivate, and support a team of educators to create a nurturing, joyful environment where children thrive.

Foster a culture of fun and learning, while ensuring a high standard of care and educational quality.

Supervise the day-to-day operations of preschool and infant/toddler classrooms.

Partner with internal and external teams to provide integrated services for children with diverse needs.

Ensure the smooth operation of our programs, providing guidance, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for your team.

What We're Looking For:

Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, motivate, and guide a diverse group of educators.

Experience in early childhood education and special education, including leadership experience in managing teams.

A passion for creating a positive, engaging, and joyful learning environment for children and staff alike

A commitment to collaboration, community, and continuous learning.

What We Offer:

Starting salary range of $58,000-$70,000, depending on experience.

A competitive benefits package, including a variety of healthcare options for families and individuals.

Funding and paid time for continuing education to help you grow in your career.

Retirement investment with employer match to help you plan for the future.

Paid vacation for school holidays and breaks, plus paid sick time.

20% discount on childcare services for children of full-time staff.

At Racker, we believe in the power of joy and fun, and we know that a great leader can make all the difference in the lives of children, families, and staff. If you are ready to lead with passion, creativity, and a sense of purpose, we would love to hear from you!

Apply Today to Join Our Team and Make a Difference!

Responsibilities:
Ensure that Racker ECS complies with relevant laws, regulations and rules, including but not limited to NY State Ed and OCFS

Organize and manage staff, site, and services in a clear and efficient manner that effectively utilizes resources

Facilitate creation of environment where all people know they belong

Collaborate with ECS leadership team

Serve as a representative of the program to outside organizations and funding sources

Attend meetings and speak to community groups representing Racker ECS

Work with other staff members in developing agency philosophy, planning and overseeing issues that affect Racker ECS

Complete applications and reports required by State and other funding sources

Qualifications:
Education/Certification: Bachelor's Degree in early childhood education, special education , or related human services/educational field preferred; fingerprinting clearance; clearance from New York State Central Registry

Skills/Abilities: Effective management skills in program planning, development and evaluation, financial management and human resource management; demonstrated ability in administration and personnel supervision; skills in interpersonal relationships; oral and written communication skills

Knowledge: Two (2) years relevant administrative experience; experience with education inclusion; knowledge of policies and regulations from the State Department of Education, Office of Children and Family Services and the Department of Health

Our approach to Diversity and Inclusion -"A world where all people know they belong."

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