Child Development Center Manager – Western Washington University

THE DEPARTMENT:
Western Washington University welcomes and engages students, faculty, and staff in building a diverse community through employment, academic excellence, leadership, campus involvement and creative expression. The Child Development Center is a service under the Division of Enrollment and Student Services that seeks to support these values by providing high quality Early Childhood Education that meets the social, intellectual and physical needs of their children, enabling parents, caregivers and students to achieve academic and professional success. We hold the image of each child as capable, unique, and full of potential. Our teachers engage with children to construct their knowledge through the inquiry approach; building on their interests and previous knowledge. We collaborate with the Woodring ECE program to provide research based best practices for children. Our lead teachers all hold degrees in education and have many years of experience, providing stable and cohesive learning opportunities for our children. The Child Development Center participates in the Washington State Department of Early Learning Early Achievers program and currently holds a Level 3 rating.

WWU’s Child Development Program is well-regarded for its focus on early learning, parent partnership and for providing practical experience for developing student teachers into high quality educators. Employees fall under union agreements and are paid a wage commensurate with their level of education and professionalism. This type of program does much more than provide child care – it provides our youngest with a solid life start, parents with a higher education that can benefit society, and an environment for young teachers to learn and grow into effective teachers. In short, because of the type of program it is, any investment made into the program is leveraged many times over.

Early Childhood Learning Approach and Role
The WWU Child Development Center (CDC) is a high quality care and education environment for young children, pre-service teachers, and teacher educators. Affiliated with WWU Early Childhood Education (ECE) program in Woodring College of Education, the center provides a laboratory setting for the investigation of children’s development and the growth of effective teaching practices. Highly qualified program staff work in collaboration with ECE faculty to facilitate academic programs for undergraduate students, and early education programs for young children while honoring a commitment to advocacy for children and families.

The Division of Enrollment & Student Services and the Associated Students Child Development Center support Western’s mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are
committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity.

THE POSITION:
The Child Development Center (CDC, “the Center”) Manager provides strategic, inclusive and ethical leadership in alignment with university, division and departmental values, mission and goals. As the Manager, you are responsible for developing and managing a service-oriented program that holistically supports faculty, staff and student parents and families by striving to maintain affordability and access to quality early childhood education with a spirit of positive collaboration. You encourage a dynamic partnership with the Woodring College of Education in support of its Early Childhood Education program through not only providing valuable practicum and work experience programs for students, but by collaborating to advance current field knowledge and application among the teaching faculty and staff.

The program’s growth, development and success relies on a focus of access, diversity, equity and inclusion; advancing sustainable practices; and welcoming and collaborative partnerships. Responsibilities include leading the staff and educators within the CDC through personnel and resource management, strategic planning, staff and program development, and creating and maintaining dynamic partnerships. As the CDC Manager, you are the lead liaison with campus partners and with the stakeholders of the Child Development Center.

As the Manager, you work under the minimal supervision of the Enrollment & Student Services Director of Financial and Capital Resources to assess service demand, study best practices and design program services to best meet stakeholder needs. You also work toward properly resourcing the Center through various funding requests and grants for program operations and space, and for direct subsidies for parents and families where possible. You ensure the program is operated within the Washington State Licensing Requirements and participates in the Early Achievers Program, currently holding a Level 3 rating.

The CDC currently serves children from 2-4 years old in 4 classrooms (2 Toddler and 2 PreSchool). Space limitations have limited growth in capacity, but demand for this and other age groups is high. The CDC will be conducting a thorough demand study and program/financial feasibility assessment to determine how best to meet the needs of campus constituents. You provide primary leadership for this process.

Position Duties and Responsibilities:

• Personnel Management & Development
• Program Development, Integrity, Assessment & Licensing (20%)
• Program Enrollment (10%)
• Classroom Practices & Activities (10%)
• Records & Contracts & Fiscal Management (10%)
• Public/Internal Relations (15%)
• Health & Safety Program (5%)
• Community Relations/Outreach

In this position you also contribute to the University mission of community outreach by participating on various committees, presenting at local meetings, conferences, and seminars; and by remaining responsive to requests for consultation with other programs in the community. In addition, you are the main contact for engaging with stakeholders such as: National Association for the Education of Young Children, Northwest Association for the Education of Young Children, P-3 Alignment with Bellingham Public Schools, Whatcom Early Learning Alliance, Whatcom Community College, Service Learning at WWU, the Washington Campus Children’s Centers Coalition, Child Advocacy Groups.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, or relevant field.
• Progressively responsible managerial or leadership experience within a child care program.
• Knowledge of current early childhood theories and research.
• Meet State Dept. of Early Learning Director requirements (45 college credits in ECE)-see WAC code 170- 295 for reference
• Washington STARTS certified within 6 months from date of hire.
• Experience in budget development, monitoring, forecasting, analysis and related computer applications.
• Experience in the development of programming, development of systems, policies and procedures.
• Experience and/or familiarity with payroll, USDA guidelines, WAC codes and Washington State guidelines as relates to childcare facilities.
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting and enhancing access, diversity, equity and inclusion. An appreciation for the benefits of a diverse workplace.
• Demonstrated understanding the needs of underrepresented and marginalized populations.
• Ability to work in a high paced multi-function environment
• Experience with a systems suite such as MS Office: Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams
• Meet WWU vaccination requirements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s Degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Educational Administration, or field related to the major components of the position duties.
• Experience in a leadership role within a childhood education program to include responsibility for the various aspects of curriculum, staffing, programming, fiscal management.
• Experience managing Child Care Centers in a higher education setting
• Specialized college-level course work in early childhood education that encompasses child development and children’s learning from birth through kindergarten.
• Specialized college-level course work in administration, leadership, and management.
• Demonstrated understanding of the needs of a college-student population
• Knowledge of technology and communications systems useful in management of child care programs
• Fundraising & grant writing experience
• Experience with WA state licensing and Dept. of Early Learning’s ‘Early Achievers’ QRIS (Quality Rating and Improvement System)
• Bloodborne pathogen Training. Negative results of TB skin test.
• Current pediatric first aid/CPR and infant/child CPR.

SALARY:
Starting salary range is $65,500 – $72,800, commensurate with experience; includes an excellent benefits package.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Click here to apply now. A cover letter and resume are required and should address your experience related to the position responsibilities and the required and preferred qualifications. Please include the names and contact information of three professional references.

CLOSING DATE:
Application review begins September 24, 2021; position is open until filled.

BENEFITS AND PERKS:

Excellent Benefits!
One of the most commonly cited reasons for working at Western is our incredible benefits package. We have multiple medical plans available to choose from with monthly premiums ranging from $25 to $189 for your own coverage; in addition, you have the option to elect coverage for your family. Western provides dental, basic life insurance ($35,000), and basic long-term disability insurance all at no monthly cost to you. You will also be eligible for our employer-matched retirement plan and receive a generous leave package, which includes 24 vacation and 12 sick days each year.

Learn!
Take advantage of the Tuition Waiver! After meeting the requirements, you are eligible for a tuition waiver of up to 8 credits during the academic year and 4 credits during summer quarter.

Live Healthy!
We have wellness classes right here on campus (when we’re able to of course!). Whole Body Fitness, lunchtime basketball, resources for nutrition and more! The Wade King Recreation Center is a state-of-the-art fitness facility with unparalleled accessibility and competitive rates. Swimming, climbing wall, and more are all within close proximity to your workspace.

Click here to learn more about the perks that will be available to you as a Western employee.

This program participates in Early Achievers.