Director of Education Operations and Outreach

Job Summary

The Education & Outreach – Operations Director supports the mission of the YMCA, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. This role is responsible for aligning departmental objectives with the YMCA’s overarching mission and long-term goals. Through collaborative work with program directors and staff, this position offers guidance and support grounded in team-driven planning and shared leadership.

The Education & Outreach – Operations Director will oversee the strategic direction of 4 core areas of the YMCA’s childcare programming: Early Learning (infant-thru Pre-K), Pre-K Counts, School Age Before & After School Program, and Summer Camp. This role includes fulfilling the duties of the Pre-K Counts Coordinator and leading outreach initiatives aimed at expanding childcare and education services throughout Blair County and the surrounding region.

Candidates should have a strong knowledge of Pre-K Counts program regulations, DHS state licensing requirements, and child development from birth through age 12. Success in this role requires experience in staff management and leadership, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

This position requires direct care of children when necessary to maintain compliance with state-mandated staff-to-child ratios.

Hybrid Work Option:
Following a successful six-month probationary period, this position may be eligible for a hybrid work schedule of three in-person days and two remote days per week. This is not a guaranteed benefit, and the employee may be required to report in person on scheduled remote days due to meetings, operational needs, or unexpected circumstances. Flexibility and responsiveness to program demands are essential.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT & EXPANSION

· Ensure each childcare program (School Age, Summer Camp, Pre-K, and Early Learning) meets community needs by supervising existing activities, developing new initiatives, and expanding programs in response to demand.

· Identify and explore opportunities to expand childcare and educational services throughout Blair County, Bedford County, and the surrounding region.

· Oversee curriculum implementation and planning to support program goals that foster children’s emotional, social, cognitive, and physical development; regularly evaluate program effectiveness.

· Ensure a healthy and safe environment for all children and staff by maintaining safe program spaces and equipment, and by ensuring that all incidents and accidents are appropriately reported and addressed.

FISCAL MANGEMENT & REPORTING

· Develop and manage budgets related to childcare programs.

· In partnership with the Finance Director, manage all aspects of the Pre-K Counts budget, including development, monitoring, and revision to ensure alignment with fiscal objectives.

· Maintain knowledge of and provide oversight for key fiscal processes, including CCIS implementation, scholarship management, and tuition collection.

· Maintain program fiscal records

STAFF & VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT

· Recruit, hire, train, and supervise staff.

· Develop and implement strategies to foster a positive work environment and support staff retention

· In collaboration with directors, conduct regular meetings with childcare staff and supervisors, and promote ongoing professional development and training.

· Provides guidance and support to directors and staff regarding personnel challenges.

MARKETING MANAGEMENT

· Develop and implement a comprehensive marketing plan for each childcare program.

· Partner with the Marketing Director to provide social media content that highlights outreach efforts, childcare programs, and YMCA services, events, and initiatives.

· Lead community outreach initiatives to support program growth and visibility.

· Collaborate with the Membership and Marketing Directors to align messaging and promotional efforts.

LOCAL, STATE & FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS

· Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations as they relate to program areas

· Ensures that YMCA and STARS program standards, and safety procedures followed, maintaining required documentation, records, permits, and licenses.

· Understand and support the YMCA’s commitment to inclusion in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

COMMUNICATION & RELATIONSHIPS

· This position requires strong interpersonal skills, with an emphasis on effective communication and relationship-building with children and their families, staff, and community partners.

· Develop and maintain relationships with state childcare licensing agencies, school administration, community leaders, parent groups and other organizations and agencies related to assigned programs/community initiatives. Responds to all agencies, parents and community inquiries and complaints in a timely manner.

· Maintain consistent communication with the Executive Director and program directors regarding staffing, participant concerns, and other relevant matters related to School Age Childcare, Summer Camp, Early Learning, and Pre-K Counts.

· Maintain strict confidentiality in all matters related to staff, children, families, human resources, and other sensitive information.

· Represent the YMCA in childcare-related community engagement opportunities, including participation in the Blair County Chamber of Commerce Basics Childhood Committee.

SKILLS

· Strong leadership and team management skills

· Budget development, financial oversight, and resource management

· Strategic planning and program development

· Marketing, public relations, and community outreach

· Fundraising and donor engagement

· Effective communication in sensitive and high-pressure situations

· Cultural competence and ability to work with diverse populations

· Flexibility and adaptability in leadership approach

· Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build positive relationships

· Commitment to inclusion and ADA compliance

· Collaboration and participation in cross-functional leadership teams

· Meeting facilitation and committee engagement

· Organizational and time management skills

· Professional discretion and commitment to confidentiality

· Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

· Must meet Pennsylvania Department of Human Services requirements for a Childcare Director.

· Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Special Education, Elementary Education, or a related human services field.

· , preferably within a YMCA or as a center director in a DHS-licensed facility.

· Extensive knowledge of child development, childcare licensing regulations, and the Keystone STARS program.

· Proven experience in staff supervision, program planning, budgeting, and organizational leadership.

· Strong skills in managing discipline, educational practices, and creating supportive environments for children.

· Grant writing experience preferred.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

· Act 33/35 clearances (child abuse and state police criminal), FBI Clearance, NSOR

· Good health as confirmed by a current health assessment signed by physician.

· Proof of being free of tuberculosis

· Two written references, participate in ongoing trainings which include the following topics: First Aid, CPR, Fire Safety, Observation, Health and Safety, Curriculum and additional training hours in the areas set forth by Stars Program and the Department of Human Service, mandated reporter certification, Child abuse prevention training.

· Fulfillment of state-specific hiring standards and completion of YMCA program specific certifications, if any.

· Develop a yearly training plan as set forth in PDR (Personal Development Plan).

· Promote YMCA and YMCA mission.

· Ensures the care, safety and well-being of the children and staff.

· Planning enrollment, parent conferences, and parent education and encouraging parent involvement.

· Ensure incidents/accidents are documented and reported.

· Work with other department heads as needed.

· Assuming all other duties and assignments deemed appropriate by the Executive Director

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

· The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· Sufficient strength, agility, and mobility to perform essential functions of position and to safely supervise children’s activities.

YMCA COMPETENCIES (Team Leader)

1. Mission Advancement: Models and teaches the Ys values. Ensure an elevated level of service with a commitment to changing lives. Provides volunteers with orientation, training, development, and recognition. Cultivate relationships to support fund-raising.

2. Collaboration: Champions inclusion activities, strategies, and initiatives. Build relationships to create small communities. Empathetically listens and communicates for understanding when negotiating and dealing with conflict. Effectively tailors communications to the appropriate audience. Provides staff with feedback, coaching, guidance, and support.

3. Operational Effectiveness: Provides others with frameworks for making decisions. Conducts prototypes to support the launching of programs and activities. Develop plans and manage best practices through engagement of team. Effectively creates and manages budgets. Holds staff accountable for high-quality results using a formal process to measure progress.

4. Personal Growth: Shares new insights. Facilitates change, models adaptability and an awareness of the impact of change. Utilizes non-threatening methods to address sensitive issues and inappropriate behavior or performance. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person