General Position Description: The Director of Steady Steps manages all day to day operations of the ministry of Steady Steps, a pre-school and early child development ministry of First United Methodist Church of Mason.

To Whom Responsible: The Senior Pastor and Steady Steps Council

Working Conditions:

1. Scheduled office hours during the work week Monday through Friday;

2. Some evening and weekend activities required.

Objectives:

· Develop and implement an annual plan for Steady Steps which includes making SS solvent

· Maintain our reputation for excellence in early education and integrity within the Mason community as a highly respected early childhood development program and ministry.

· Provide a safe Christian environment for social development, quality care, and education

· Support families by nurturing the whole child.

· Ensure compliance with applicable Texas child-care licensing requirements, minimum standards, and church safety policies.

· Support the vision and mission of FUMC

Core Competencies: Behaviors, attributes and skills that you are expected to demonstrate as you execute the essential functions and responsibilities of your role.

· Effective Leadership: Encourages others to discover and engage their giftedness and skills in service to the child development center: calls out the best in others; supports others in the development of their skills abilities including current trends and research; knows how to organize people and tasks to achieve excellence in the Steady Steps ministry; thinks strategically about the continual need for a next generation of leaders and works to build the leadership base.

· Supervisory Management: Clearly and comfortably delegates both routine and important tasks and decisions; appropriately shares authority and responsibility; creates accountability; sets clear objectives and measures, monitors progress and results; builds feedback loops into the work; trust people to perform their work.

· Interpersonal skills: establishes good and positive working relationships with all others who are relevant to the completion of work; works well with people at all levels of the congregation; builds appropriate rapport; considers the impact of his/her actions on others; uses diplomacy and tact; is approachable; avoids communication triangles.

· Organizational Management: punctual; able and willing to focus time on tasks that contribute to organizational goals; uses time effectively and efficiently; values time and respects the time of others; can appropriately balance priorities

· Child Developer: passion for the growth of children and ability to produce results

· Mission Ownership: Demonstrates understanding and full support of vision and mission of Mason FUMC. Can articulate the mission for others. Leads Steady Step team to understand their unique mission and vision for developing the whole child which is in line with FUMC.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

· Provide daily on-site management of the entire Steady Steps Children’s Weekday Ministry, putting children first and remaining accountable to the Steady Steps Council and Senior Pastor.

· Insure compliance with all requirements and regulations relating to Texas Department of Family Protective and Regulatory Services Minimum Standards and licensing rules. Ensure that the Director or Assistant Director is on duty at all times the program is open.

· Responsible for oversight of all financial record keeping, budgeting and grant maintenance. Report monthly to SS Council and FUMC Finance Committee on status of accounts. Notify Finance Committee anytime current assets can only cover five months or less of the expected operating shortfall (forecasted tuition minus payroll and expenses.)

· Oversee fundraising activities and seek grants.

· Implement policies and procedures under the Child Care Provider Agreement with Child Care Services (CCS) to ensure Steady Steps receives tuition payment for eligible children.

· Recruit, hire, develop, train and terminate staff as needed for the operation of the preschool program, consulting with the chair of the Steady Steps Council on hiring and termination. Ensure all employees comply with minimum standards for employees. Supervise and evaluate staff, and communicate with staff through staff meetings and written memos.

· Develop and supervise the implementation of quality, developmentally appropriate curriculum and a safe, healthy, positive Christian learning environment. Promote spiritual growth through example, curriculum and weekly chapel services, utilizing available resources, partnerships and grants.

· Maintain Steady Steps certification as a 4-star Texas Rising Star Provider. Fulfill partnership responsibilities outlined in the Texas School Ready! Project (formerly TEEM Project) Memorandum of Understanding, and maintain open communication with the Project Mentor/Coordinator.

· Create strategies for involving and resourcing parents in their children’s care and learning

· Develop Steady Steps policies and conduct public relations events with support from the Steady Steps Council.

· Participate in professional development for the Director’s role. Provide professional development opportunities for school staff, including 15–20 hours of annual staff training, as part of the staff development responsibilities described above.

· Maintain the highest standards in safety in regards to child protection as required by Texas Department of Family Protective and Regulatory Services and FUMC Safe Gatherings Policy.

· Administer all aspects of the food program in compliance with the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) contract with the Texas Department of Agriculture.

· Inform Senior Pastor of any necessary information, issues, or concerns.

· Coordinate Steady Steps activities through the Steady Steps Council and FUMC Board, in conjunction with the church communication and committee-representation responsibilities described below.

· Attend church staff meetings and keep church staff updated on the Steady Steps ministry. Ensure Steady Steps maintains an advisory and consultative relationship with, and is represented at, Church Council, Finance, SPRC and Trustees.

· Communicate with the chair of the Education Committee about use of shared space and/or equipment. Submit suggestions for new Steady Steps Council members to the Lay Leadership Committee (nominating committee) in late summer/early fall.

· Execute other duties as assigned by the FUMC Senior Pastor

Qualification and Education Requirements:

· Must meet Director qualifications according to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Minimum Standards. Must meet one of the combinations of education and experience as stated by Texas Department of Family and Protective Services §746.1001-1025 Education Experience

(1) A bachelor degree with 12 college credit hours in child development and six college credit hours in management and at least one year of experience in a licensed child-care center;

(2) An associate of applied science degree in child development or a closely related field with six college credit hours in child development and six college credit hours in management. A “closely related field” is any educational instruction pertaining to the growth, development, physical or mental care, or education of children ages birth through 13 years and at least two years of experience in a licensed child- care center;

(3) Sixty college credit hours with nine college credit hours in child development and six college credit hours in management and at least two years of experience in a licensed child- care center;

(4) A child-care administrator’s certificate from a community college with at least 15 college credit hours in child development and three college credit hours in management and at least two years of experience in a licensed child- care center;

(5) Six college credit hours in management with a Child Development Associate credential or Certified Child-Care Professional credential and at least two years of experience in a licensed child- care center

(6) A day-care administrator’s credential issued by a professional organization or educational institution and approved by Licensing based on criteria specified in and at least two years of experience in a licensed child- care center; or

(7) Nine college credit hours in child development and nine college credit hours in management and at least three years of experience in a licensed child- care center.

· Desired BA in Child Development or Early Childhood education, with experience as a teacher and administrator.

· Must have current Infant/CPR, and First Aid Certificates.

· Must current driver’s license, and proof of insurance.

· Must satisfy all screening requirements including criminal history

Working Conditions and Schedule:

· Tobacco and perfume-free work place.

Position Type: Full Time Salaried

Benefits: PTO and Employed Paid Insurance available

Steady Steps

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