Preschool Manager at City of Cambridge in Cambridge, MA

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:

The City of Cambridge Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) seeks a Preschool Manager with vision and experience to support the Senior Preschool Manager in managing the Department’s nine state licensed and NAEYC accredited preschool programs. The Preschool Manager works with the Senior Manager, the Preschool Teacher/ Directors, and other staff to ensure that the programs provide high quality services that meet the needs of Cambridge families. The Preschool Manager reports to the Senior Preschool Manager under the leadership of the Division Head for Childcare and Family Support Services and collaborates with other DHSP programs serving children to strengthen partnerships and ensure smooth transitions for children across programs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Foster a programmatic culture that values peer learning and utilizes an assets-based approach to working with children, families, and staff.
Actively engage in and support the Department’s Race and Equity Initiative.
Oversee EEC state licensing process for preschool classrooms. Work with Director/Teachers and other division staff to ensure that all licensing requirements are met.
Oversee that staff files are maintained and that all system-wide documents are submitted in accordance with the DHSP preschools’ yearly planning calendar.
Provide supervision and leadership to the Preschool Director/Teachers. Formally evaluate staff performance annually in addition to providing regular feedback in supervision meetings. Support their leadership development and work with them to recruit, select and train qualified classroom staff that reflect the children and families we serve.
Work with the Senior Preschool Manager, Director/Teachers, and other staff to develop appropriate trainings for staff throughout the year to support program quality. This includes annual orientation, professional development days, and individual professional development plans.
With the Senior Preschool Manager, oversee the design and delivery of developmentally appropriate curriculum tied to DOE/EEC Guidelines for Preschool Learning Experiences in each preschool classroom.
With the Senior Preschool Manager support Director/Teachers use of assessment data to inform curriculum development.
Support the Senior Preschool Manager in overseeing all program quality standards, initiatives, and assessments as outlined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the Cambridge Preschool Program (CPP), and the Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) for all preschool classrooms. With Director/Teachers, ensure that programs meet quality criteria and are maintaining and/or improving program quality.
Support the Senior Preschool Manager in overseeing a family engagement plan for each preschool program that includes parent events, parent-teacher conferences, consistent on-going communication, and referrals to beneficial services. When needed, support site-based staff in difficult conversations with families.
With the Senior Preschool Manager work with program consultants, Cambridge Public School Special Education programs, families, and other resources to support the inclusion of children with special needs in all preschool programs.
Work closely with other divisional staff on a variety of tasks: coordinating substitute coverage for both preschool and afterschool classrooms; purchasing of materials, supporting family’s connections to program administration.
Work with Senior Preschool Manager to improve collaboration and resource sharing across DHSP programs as well as to improve collaboration and communication with community partners.
Provide onsite support to the programs as needed through program observation, supervision meetings, and occasionally program coverage.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience

Minimum of 5 years of experience supervising staff
BA in a related field preferred
Director II qualified

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Proven ability to provide leadership to collaborative projects
Familiarity with EEC licensing, NAEYC accreditation, and QRIS standards 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 access, input and retrieve information from a computer.
Ability to answer phones, maintain multiple files and be able to lift a minimum of at least 10 pounds.
Ability to travel throughout the City of Cambridge to multiple classroom sites.
Standard office environment. Fluorescent lighting, carpeted floors and air conditioning. Moderate noise level.
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, $2,700/year
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