Assistant Director K-5 COMPASS DYCD
Veronica Arts Media
Summary
Reporting to the Program Director, the Assistant Director provides site-based leadership to support positive youth development and outcomes; meet the needs of families and the school community; and further VAM's mission. A successful Assistant Director will bring a positive youth development lens to their work; ensure compliance with all licensing and funder requirements; maintain accurate program data and records; develop and implement systems to effectively manage program logistics and operations; hold themselves and others accountable for program results; provide close supervision of all activities and staff; and demonstrate a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.The Assistant Program Director (APD) supports the Program Director in managing daily operations and ensuring safe, high-quality programming. The APD supervises staff, helps monitor compliance, and maintains effective communication with all stakeholders. In addition to supporting program operations, the APD serves as the site’s Inclusion Coordinator, ensuring that all participants—including those with disabilities and English Language Learners (ELLs)—receive appropriate accommodations and have equitable access to all program services.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Education preferred, depending on teaching experience.
- Minimum of two years of direct experience working with children under 13 years of age.
- Some supervisory experience in a child care program or related field of work.
- Experience in education and/or after-school programming (DYCD Compass Perferred)
- Good Computer skills
- Good verbal and written communication skills
Duties
Program Quality and Youth Development
- Support the implementation of engaging, age-appropriate programs that promote positive youth development and incorporate social-emotional learning, literacy and academic enrichment, STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and arts), physical activity and healthy living, leadership and life-skills development, college and career awareness, and arts, recreation, and cultural enrichment.
- Review program plans, conduct observations, and provide coaching and feedback to staff to ensure high-quality instruction and participant engagement.
- Support the Program Director in creating opportunities for participants to share their interests, influence program activities, assume leadership roles, and provide meaningful feedback on their program experience.
- Assist with continuous quality improvement efforts, including corrective action plans, monitoring follow-up, and implementation of program enhancements.
Staff Supervision and Development
- Provide supervision, guidance, scheduling support, and daily oversight to frontline staff, interns, and volunteers, ensuring adequate staffing coverage and compliance with required participant-to-staff ratios.
- Assist with staff recruitment, onboarding, training, professional development, and performance management using PETs and FAMS.
- Monitor staff attendance, preparedness, professional conduct, and compliance with organizational and regulatory requirements.
- Support coaching, documentation, and corrective action processes as needed.
- Ensure staff understand and adhere to safety procedures, mandated-reporting requirements, and participant supervision expectations.
Participant Engagement, Attendance, and Family Partnerships
- Monitor participant enrollment, attendance, participation, and retention to ensure compliance with contractual requirements and achievement of program enrollment and participation goals.
- Oversee the accurate collection, review, and timely entry of attendance and enrollment data, regularly monitoring attendance trends, absenteeism, lateness, and participation rates, and addressing discrepancies or areas of concern.
- Develop and implement strategies to improve participant engagement, attendance, and retention, including outreach to families, follow-up regarding absences or inconsistent attendance, identification of barriers to participation, and implementation of re-engagement strategies.
- Support recruitment, enrollment, orientation, and retention efforts, maintaining accurate enrollment records, participant files, and waitlists, and ensuring enrollment and rate-of-participation requirements are met.
- Establish and maintain positive relationships with participants and families by communicating program expectations, attendance requirements, participant progress, upcoming events, and available support services; responding to questions and concerns; and elevating significant issues as appropriate.
- Support family engagement initiatives, including orientations, workshops, conferences, celebrations, and other program events that strengthen participant and family connections.
- Collaborate with school personnel, community partners, and service providers to support participant success, align program activities with school-day priorities, expand resources and opportunities for participants and families, and facilitate referrals when additional support is needed.
- Prepare and share attendance, enrollment, and participation reports with program leadership and recommend strategies to strengthen participant engagement, retention, and overall program outcomes.
Safety, Behavior Support, and Incident Response
- Ensure the safety, well-being, and active supervision of participants throughout all program activities, including arrivals, transitions, field trips, special events, and dismissal.
- Implement and reinforce positive behavior-management and restorative practices that promote a supportive, inclusive, and respectful program environment.
- Respond promptly and appropriately to behavioral incidents, injuries, medical concerns, family complaints, and emergencies, ensuring timely communication with program leadership and required stakeholders.
- Ensure incidents are properly documented, reported, and resolved in accordance with organizational policies, DYCD requirements, and mandated-reporting obligations.
- Support emergency preparedness efforts, including drills, evacuation procedures, crisis response protocols, and staff training.
- Maintain the confidentiality and appropriate handling of participant medical, behavioral, emergency, and accommodation-related information, and support the safe planning and execution of field trips and off-site activities.
Data Management and Administrative Support
- Maintain accurate, organized, and confidential program records, including attendance, enrollment, incident documentation, family communications, staff compliance records, and other required program documentation.
- Ensure timely and accurate data entry, reporting, and recordkeeping to support contract compliance, program monitoring, audits, licensing reviews, regulatory requirements, and organizational reporting needs.
- Assist with administrative and operational functions, including staff scheduling, supply and inventory management, purchasing, timesheet review, and resource allocation.
- Support the planning and coordination of special events, field trips, family engagement activities, showcases, and other program initiatives, ensuring alignment with the approved program calendar and established deadlines.
- Participate in supervisory meetings, DYCD trainings, technical-assistance sessions, and professional development opportunities, and perform other duties as assigned by the Program Director or department leadership.
