Director of Preschool, Early Childhood, Youth and Family Programs

 

The Washington DC Jewish Community Center is seeking a visionary Jewish educator to lead its Preschool, Early Childhood Youth and Family Programs. Located between Dupont and Logan Circles in a booming neighborhood downtown, just six blocks from the White House, the DCJCC has a robust and growing constituency of young, professional families who have chosen urban living for themselves and their children. The Director of PECYF is charged with designing a continuum of services for these families and supervising a program staff that combines best practices and universal Jewish values in a manner attractive to a sophisticated and diverse population. The ideal candidate:

 

  • Is an active participant in discussions surrounding best practices in Early Childhood Education and is capable of integrating the most successful strategies from a number of educational philosophies involving emerging curriculums, the competence of children, developmentally appropriate learning into our Reggio-inspired school. 
  • Excels at communicating to parents, board members and staff the goals of our PECYF programs and create tangible means of measuring success.  
  • Serves as a mentor to teachers and staff and actively facilitates professional development.  
  • Forms warm and caring relationships with preschool children, their parents and caregivers that honor the importance of all individuals to our community. 
  • Supervises programmers in our Parenting Center, Camp and After-School activities to deepen and broaden their impact.
  • Develops relationships with other local public, charter and independent schools and is a proactive advocate for families in the ex-missions process. 
  • Uses their expertise in child development to coordinate teachers, parents and if necessary, the consulting JSSA social worker and other diagnostic professionals to respond to specific student issues and behaviors.
  • Works with committees of parents and DCJCC lay-leaders to build and support programming and community.
  • Meets or exceeds NAEYC accreditation and DC licensing standards for preschool directors.
  • Understands the crucial role JCCs have to play as a central touchstone in modern Jewish life and seeks collaborative opportunities with the DCJCC’s other signature programs in the Arts, Community Service, Outreach, Jewish Living and Learning, and Fitness. You will be joining a friendly, dedicated staff that works cooperatively to build community. 
  • Has at least 5-10 years experience running a school, with a proven track record for growing their program including the ability to create and implement a business plan that meets budget goals. 

Masters in Early Childhood Education or equivalent.

This is a full-time exempt staff position with full medical benefits, Life Insurance, and 401K option as well as Washington DCJCC Membership for staff member and immediate family.  Staff members receive special discounts on classes and tickets for performances, some of which are free.

Salary commensurate with experience.
Interested candidates should send a cover letter detailing their experience and educational approach along with a resume and references to:

Joshua Ford
Associate Executive Director
Washington DCJCC
joshf@washingtondcjcc.org

No phone calls.

The Washington DCJCC is an equal opportunity employer.