Learning Zone Director

Function as Learning Zone (LZ) Director for the year-round on-site program. Oversee all aspects of the Academic School Year and Summer Day Camp programs. Implement and coordinate a computerized academic tracking system to coordinate curriculum, teaching, tutorial and assessment services. Administer ongoing academic year curriculum for the Learning Zone. Support and uphold the mission of The Salvation Army.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

• Oversee and guide the staff within the Preschool & Child Care Centers concerning the day-to-day needs and operations of the centers.
• Have direct supervision and responsibility for children on a daily basis, attending to their physical needs within the center and ensuring their safety.
• Maintain good working relationships with all parents and staff, which includes assisting teachers with scheduling conferences with parents, conducting annual staff reviews, and conducting monthly staff meetings (staff meeting minutes to be taken and filed, with a copy sent to the office of the Officers and Divisional Learning Zone Director).
• Maintain a safe, non-judgmental and consistent environment within the Learning Zone and maintain a spiritual emphasis throughout the program.
• Ensure constant licensing compliance in accordance with the regulations established by the State of Ohio, including ensuring maintenance of all staff and student files, monitoring staff trainings, and ensuring that student/teacher ratios are kept at all times within the center. Issues of compliance need to be addressed in collaboration with the Corps Officers and Divisional Learning Zone Director.
• Ensure proper compliance with expenditures and record keeping as required by contracted funding sources including Knox County Department of Job and Family Services, Child and Adult Food Programs (CACFP), Early Childhood Education Grant (ECE), and the Ohio Department of Education.
• Monitor ongoing programmatic needs of students’ academic progress, assessments and school grade reports through conducting regular assessments.
• Ensure that assessments and screenings are completed on all students and that appropriate teacher and parent surveys are conducted each year.
• Maintain a quality curricula and evaluation instruments which can show proven outcomes.
• Ensure all assessments and documents with outside collaborations are complete.
• Develop and maintain good community relationships through attendance at appropriate business meetings and conferences.
• Apply for, achieve and maintain Step Up to Quality star rating and continue to implement higher SUTQ standards to achieve higher or the highest star rating
• Market the programs and assist with planning and improving program. Recruit and enroll children to the program, including interviewing all parents of prospective students and work with the Site Supervisor to properly enroll students according to policies established by state licensing agent.
• Work with the Social service Directors to offer possible services and connect families in need with community resources.
• Maintain a parent handbook and a staff handbook for all programs adhering to ODJFS guidelines.
• Ensure that accurate records are kept concerning attendance, child progress, and other information that may be required for reports and that monthly statistics are completed, compiled, and reported.
• Provide required reports and statistical information for The Salvation Army and all other funding agencies.
• Ensure proper billing, receiving, and receipting of payments by parents for The Learning Zone services provided in accordance with Salvation Army accounting policies.
• Assist in establishing, maintaining, and implementing Learning Zone scholarship and discount policies.
• Assist in the preparation of all funding proposals as related to The Learning Zone.
• Assist in the preparation of the annual budget.
• Oversee all food service for preschool and childcare including supervision of menu planning, food inventory and ordering, and food preparation.

Additional Responsibilities

• Monitor staff hours and review and approve timecards in ADP for staff bi-weekly.
• Supervise volunteers and ensure accurate documentation is kept on file per licensing.
• Correspond with respective staff to ensure all supplies are stocked and ordered.
• Create and maintain a staff schedule to ensure proper student/teacher ratio.
• Assist Human Resources with posting, interviewing, and hiring decisions within The Learning Zone.
• Work with teachers to organize and conduct a monthly Family Night during the school year, except for January.
• Ensure that a yearly calendar is given to each of the families that have students program including holiday closings and scheduled family nights prior to the school year start.
• Schedule and lead weekly team meetings with assistant director and LZ staff
• Provide support to staff and conduct necessary evaluations.
• Schedule and attend monthly meetings with Corps Officers.
• Coordinate with the Corps Officer in areas of public relations, media, press releases, and grant proposals.
• Communicate ongoing important matters to Corps Officers.
• Work occasional weekend hours.
• Drive for program if necessary.
• Assist with planning for additional childcare expansion.
• Create and implement one annual fundraiser.
• Community presentations for grants
• All other relevant duties as assigned by the Corps Officer.
• Assist with planning toward the new childcare center

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervise and provide training for LZ staff and volunteers.
• Supervise program components of the LZ & provide daily supervision of LZ participants.

Qualifications

MINIMUM EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE.

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent education and experience.
• State of Ohio Teaching License/Certification with a minimum of 3 years experience preferred.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and appropriate intervention skills required.
• Strong knowledge of available educational resources required.
• Relative experience in a classroom setting or in a setting involving work with children.
• Experience in staff supervision
• Valid Ohio Driver’s License.

Special Skills, Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Meet all state licensing requirements for working with children.
• Obtain appropriate certification for Communicable Diseases/First Aid and CPR/Child Abuse.
• Meet insurance requirements for driving SA vehicles.
• Complete all Salvation Army KeepSafe Trainings
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to drive a 12-passenger van

The Salvation Army Mission Statement

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

The information in this job description indicates the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this classification. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory, or all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees assigned to this job. Management has the right to add to, revise, or delete information in this description. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Acceptable job performance includes the completion of the job responsibilities as well as compliance with the policies, procedures, rules and regulations of The Salvation Army.

The employed occupies a position of trust and is expected to maintain confidentiality and exhibit loyalty to The Salvation Army and the staff of The Salvation Army in all job related matters and activities.

I have read and understand the job description set forth above. I agree to carry out the responsibilities associated with the position. Furthermore, I have read and will work in accordance with the mission statement set forth above.