Child Care Lead Coordinator, Mini College

Job Description:

Primary Responsibility:

Under the direction of the Children’s Mini College Director or designated campus leader, the Child Care Lead Coordinator manages the daily operations of the mini college, supervising staff, ensuring compliance with regulations, and developing and implementing programs to meet the needs of the children and families, while also fostering a safe and nurturing environment.

This position is responsible for programming and supervision of pre-school aged children of Colorado Mountain College employees, CMC students, and the community. The Child Care Lead Coordinator is responsible for scheduling and supervising child care assistants and early childhood teachers. The position is also responsible for assuring compliance with codes of all State and local governing contracting agencies and CMC policies.

The Child Care Lead Coordinator works collegially with parents and other staff and faculty members of CMC. *This is a term auxiliary funded position and continued employment for this portion of the position is contingent on continued funding.

Pre-Requisites for Position (Qualifications Standards)

Education and experience sufficient to meet the rigors of the position.

Examples may include a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, elementary education or special education from an accredited college or related field with a minimum of 1 year of full time equivalent working in a child care center, including administrative, classroom oversite, and supervisory responsibilities, or an associate’s degree in one of the fields mentioned above and 3 years of related full time equivalent experience; or the education and experience that will provide the necessary knowledge, skill, and abilities to perform the functions of the position.

The incumbent is required to possess or be immediately eligible for a level 2 Early Childhood Professional Credential via Colorado Shines and be willing to obtain a level 3 professional credential within 2 years of hire. Credentials require renewal every three years. Must meet all licensing requirements (incumbent must know and abide by all Early Childhood Education licensing rules). CPR and First Aid certification is required within 30 days of hire. Clearance from a criminal history background check and central registry of child protection required. Experience administering grants preferred.

Special Skills or Abilities:

Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively. Knowledge of childcare development and early childhood education principles. Ability to understand childcare educational research and/or best practices and convert/apply to the classroom. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Ability to analyze problems and recommend appropriate solutions/changes.

Ability to communicate effectively and establish effective working relationships with staff and parents. Responsible, kind, and dedicated to providing quality care and enrichment for children ages 2 ½ - 6. Adept at understanding staffing and turnover in early childhood education to ensure consistency and quality. Exceptional verbal, written, analytical, and interpersonal skills. Maintain confidentiality, discretion, and professionalism. Organize and prioritize work with flexibility, teamwork, and humor.

Welcoming. Innovative. Focused on Student Success. These principles reflect the soul of CMC. They guide us in building our teams, cultivating leaders, and expanding our approaches and mindset. They guide us to be an institution of higher education that’s the right fit for every faculty member, staff, student, and community member in its trust. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to working effectively with students, employees, and community members of all backgrounds.

The position requires excellent interpersonal skills. The ability to communicate bilingually in Spanish and English effectively, both in writing and verbally, is preferred.

Hiring range = $56,362.18 - 62,624.64 annual salary depending upon a combination of education and experience.

Benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Pet insurance, retirement contribution, tuition reimbursement, annual & sick time, mental health resources, healthy lifestyle benefits, affordable transitional housing may be available to the successful candidate based on eligibility and availability, relocation if applicable. CMC utilizes a wage progression compensation model that accounts for a candidate’s skill and experience.

Although a salary range is listed, salary will be set commensurate with the successful candidate’s qualifications and in compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. Position anticipated to close on June 20, 2025, or until filled.

Minimum Qualifications:

Essential Duties Teaching (80%) & Child Engagement Teaching Children Plans both long and short-range activities in accordance with curriculum objectives, developmentally appropriate practice, and program philosophy. Plans individual and group activities to stimulate growth in language, social and emotional, and motor skills such as learning to listen to instructions, playing with others, and using play equipment.

Provides responsive care to all children by adapting daily routines and plans to the interests and needs of the individual child and the group. Demonstrates cultural competency and respect for the child's background by incorporating cultural, linguistic, and familial values into the childcare program and lesson plans. Completes child transition and orientation of the classroom. Meets the emotional, social, physical, and cognitive needs of each child.

Ensures a conducive environment for early childhood development at the center by recognizing the fact that children exhibit different behaviors and developmental levels and warmly respond to them Provides careful and effective supervision of individual and groups of children, on and off campus Maintains and oversees a positive, developmentally appropriate, organized, and creative learning environment.

Assures the health and safety of children by following health and safety practices and regulations. Ensures children are kept away from risks by promoting safety and hygiene at the center Environment Provides a safe, clean, and healthy environment for the mini college, implementing and enforcing safety procedures and protocols. Sets up and removes equipment used for children’s activities and keep storage areas tidy and organized. Ensure furniture, floor coverings, toys and equipment are kept clean and properly maintained following safe and hygienic standard Provides a positive, developmentally appropriate, organized, and creative learning environment.

Maintains classroom environment in a sanitary, neat and orderly manner. Assists with snacks and other meals as appropriate including the maintenance of a clean environment for snacks and meals. Family Engagement Maintains good relationships with families by promptly informing them of issues relating to them when necessary, and offer understanding, kindness, empathy, and referral to the center Director Promote diversity at the center by showing respect to children and parents of different cultural backgrounds, recognizing the fact that children are reared differently by different parents.

Make parents comfortable to freely discuss issues concerning their children’s care Communicates regularly with parents and guardians regarding their children's progress and well-being, encouraging parent participation. Reports on the progress of children to parents in bi-annual reports and through parent-teacher conferences. Works directly with parents and guardians concerning activities, policies, and enrollment procedures.

Assists Director in providing orientation and interpreting the policies and programs of the center for parents. With the program director, Plans and coordinates special events and activities for children and families, including fundraising events. Professionalism Demonstrates organizational skills and attention to detail. Collaborates with other childcare professionals and community organizations, maintaining open and effective communication with staff, faculty, parents, and community members. Attends and participates in professional meetings and conferences that promote the latest advances and research in working with young children.

Attends required continuing education classes and adheres to guidelines set by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood. Participates in meetings and gives suggestions in reviewing systems, processes, and policies of the center for better performance Serves as a valuable member of the team by creating and applying effective communication lines with other team members and providing support to them to ensure consistency in approach and cohesion.

Keeps abreast of principles, legal requirements, and policies regarding health and safety, and report and act on situations that may impact on children and staff well-being; Reports any suspicion of child abuse to the supervisor and/or child abuse hotline.

Administrative & Supervisory – 20% Administrative Manages the day-to-day operations of the preschool classroom. Responsible for adhering to a budget and communicating supply and equipment needs with the program director. Maintains accurate records and documentation, including children's attendance, development, progress, and emergency forms. Ensures the program meets all licensing and regulatory requirements.

Creates documentation of learning Collects and inputs data for the Teaching Strategies GOLD assessment for all students. Data is then used to monitor student progress and guide lesson design and classroom activities to help children meet the CO State Preschool Standards. Supervisory Supervises and mentors childcare staff, including teachers and assistants, assists in performance evaluations, and provides ongoing training and development.

With the program director, Manages the hiring, orientation, and scheduling of new staff, ensuring compliance with policies and legal requirements. With the program director, ensures entry and approval of all hours into the College's Workday system, meeting all payroll deadlines. Implement methods for effectively utilizing the services of teacher’s aides, interns, and volunteers Other duties as assigned.

Supervision Received: The position reports to a designated supervisor. Position usually works within the framework of responsibilities but may require guidance at times.

Supervision Exercised: This position supervises part time staff, Students, Work study students, and volunteers.

Special Conditions of Employment:

A valid Colorado driver’s license is required. The ability to maintain a flexible schedule including occasional evening and weekend work. Occasional out-of-town travel, including overnight stays, is possible. This position will require a satisfactory background and motor vehicles records check. Incumbents in this position will adhere to all safety and compliance policies of Colorado Mountain College while performing all duties assigned. Occasional travel and the ability to work some evening and weekend hours required.

Working Conditions

This position requires occasional sitting, frequent walking and standing; occasional handling objects, pushing/pulling; frequent reaching with hands/arms, and use of finger movements; occasional lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling objects up to 50 lbs. Constant written and oral communication and the ability to reason and analyze and perform calculations occasionally. Work is performed using a computer and standard office equipment daily and driving a vehicle occasionally.

CMC is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, the College will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship.

If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADA Coordinator, Human Resources.

NOTE:

This position description is intended to indicate the basic nature of positions allocated to this class and provide examples of typical duties that may be assigned. It does not imply that all positions within the class perform all of the duties listed, nor does it necessarily list all possible duties that may be assigned. Employees may perform other related duties as required to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Each role at Colorado Mountain College contributes to the institution’s sustainability initiatives by fostering environmental stewardship, supporting sustainable practices in daily operations, and advancing a culture of ecological responsibility that aligns with our commitment to balance the needs of current generations not to compromise the needs of future generations.

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