POSITION SUMMARY:
The Discovery School (TDS) is California’s only museum-based preschool, located at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge, on the campus of the Bay Area Discovery Museum, within Fort Baker National Park.
Under the direction of the Director of Playful Learning and The Discovery School Director, the Assistant Director of Operations plays an integral part of the school’s leadership team. TDS educators and administrators work collaboratively to create an inclusive, supportive and inspiring learning environment for children, educators, and families. Inspired by the preschools of Reggio Emilia, Italy, TDS’s approach to learning honors and respects children and their immense capabilities.
The Assistant Director of Operations works closely with The Discovery School Director in the development and oversight of systems and policies that support a strong institutional structure, financial stability, and a community in which families, administrators and teachers are welcomed and respected.
This is a part-time position, working roughly 20 hours a week. The pay rate for this position is $38-$40 per hour based on relevant experience.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Institutional Strategy and Leadership
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Supports The Discovery School team toward the goal of developing The Discovery School as a high-quality Reggio-Emilia Inspired preschool with its own unique culture and identity.
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Supports and may participate in ongoing professional learning opportunities in the study of early childhood education and care (ECEC), current research in ECEC
Finance
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Works with CFO and Director of Playful Learning Experience and School Director to develop and oversee budgets aligned to strategy and goals.
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Supports annual budget development for (a) designated program(s)/team(s), aligning to institutional goals and strategic planning. Manages expenses and revenues to ensure fiscal health.
School Operations
Philosophy/Vision
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Supports the vision for the school, representing the highest standards of innovative early education practice; builds support among teachers, parents, institutional leaders across departments, and community members.
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Supports TDS Director in delivery of an exemplary inquiry-based, social-constructivist educational program that represents innovation in education and research-aligned approach.
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Co-constructs, communicates and upholds institutional systems that support successful operation of the school for all participants
Licensing
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Ensures quality control of the program regarding the fulfillment of CA licensure requirements including:
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Management of all required documents
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Communication with staff and families regarding necessary documents
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Maintain current understanding of changes in regulations and communicate these to TDS Director and others as needed
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Oversee and maintain emergency supplies
Enrollment
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Oversees the admissions process for the school, including organizing and facilitating tours for prospective families, toward a goal of full enrollment in both preschool classrooms
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Attends Preschool Fairs
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Develops relationships with the education community, including but not limited to a network of preschool and kindergarten admissions directors; support family placement in elementary programs that will best serve the child.
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Supports strategies to maintain existing students, recruit and grow enrollment.
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Promotes a positive image of the school to existing and prospective families.
Facility
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Oversees processes and systems to ensure administrative aspects of school are well run (e.g. inventory of office supplies and materials, forms required for staff and student records)
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Communicate with BADM facilities team to manage any maintenance needed
Personnel
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Maintains staff records in collaboration with TDS Director, monitoring licensing and required continuing education
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Prepares and maintains an approved list of substitute teachers and secures additional staff as needed.
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Manages staff levels effectively to ensure business operations of school are well run and school is staffed appropriately.
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May fill in as a substitute teacher when needed
Communication and Com Systems
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Manages Famly App, monitors attendance records
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Maintains professional and positive written and verbal communication with parents to meaningfully engage all families in the school and museum communities
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Ensures prompt and courteous replies to parent inquiries and with appropriate follow-up
SKILL REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
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BA or BS in early childhood education, child development or relevant field required
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CA Site Supervisor Permit.
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Must have 3 or more years of preschool leadership experience as a Director, Assistant Director, or Site Supervisor.
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Highly organized and detail-oriented individual comfortable with the recordkeeping required by state licensing
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Must have a minimum of 15 hours Health and Safety Training for a childcare center and be certified or commit to become certified in First Aid and CPR for adult, infant and child.
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Understanding of, respect for, and investment in creativity (defined broadly as the openness, flexibility and persistence to solve problems in innovative ways).
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5 or more years of classroom experience preferred, including strong experience engaging families.
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Experience working in Reggio-Inspired schools strongly preferred
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Tolerance of ambiguity, change, risk, rapid iteration and a fast-paced work environment; ability to manage pressure with sense of humor, perspective and strong prioritization, and positivity.
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Exemplary communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills; comfort with networking and presenting.
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Skills in both creative idea generation and tactical execution.
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Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team.
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General comfort with technology; high proficiency with full Microsoft Suite; ability to learn new platforms quickly.
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Willingness and ability to travel nationally for conferences, networking opportunities, and speaking engagements
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Applicants' bilingual in Spanish or Cantonese and candidates of color are strongly encouraged to apply.
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Ability to handle confidential and sensitive material with discretion.
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Professional commitment to Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion; thoughtful and open about the role of a workplace and a cultural institution in creating a sense of welcome and belonging for staff and visitors.
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Abides by and enforces BADM’s health and safety protocols.
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LiveScan and criminal record clearance through DOJ child Abuse Index
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Proof of absence of tuberculosis (TB) required before starting employment.
This job description is not an exhaustive list of all functions the Assistant Director of Operations may be required to perform, and you may be required to perform additional functions if hired into this role. BADM reserves the right to revise this job description at any time.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The employee is required to come and go from the work area; to frequently use a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and telephone utilizing safe ergonomic practices; to speak and listen; and to read and understand documents containing text, numbers, and images. The employee is frequently required to move from one location to another and sit, as well as to lift and carry objects such as laptops, books, files, and meeting setup materials weighing up to 15 pounds. The employee may frequently be required to reach and stoop, kneel, or crouch.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Predominantly works in an indoor office environment, moderate noise level, an indoor temperate environment, and light levels that are bright and conducive to minimal eye strain.
The Bay Area Discovery Museum is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity. We encourage those from all backgrounds to apply to allow us to build the most inclusive and creative team possible.
Please do not remove yourself from contention before you even apply. Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. If much of this job description describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply.
ABOUT US
At the Bay Area Discovery Museum, we believe that providing children with the high-quality early learning experiences they need to be successful is the best investment we can make as a society.
Whether at the Museum, online, or in the community, we provide experiences that spark children’s natural curiosity for the world around them, while building their creative problem-solving skills and STEM content knowledge. Both on-site and off-site, we facilitate research-backed learning experiences that are fun and engaging for children and families. At our one-of-a-kind location at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, this includes hands-on exhibits, rich STEM and art programming, an on-site preschool, and camps and classes. Off-site, our museum educators bring hands-on STEM programming to students and families at schools and libraries in all nine Bay Area counties.
We believe that these research-backed on-site and off-site experiences should be made available to all children and families and offer a variety of access initiatives toward this goal. We are currently working our way back up to our pre-pandemic numbers:
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350,000 visitors each year, including nearly 100,000 with free or reduced admission
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10,000 member families
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26,000 children through our school and community programs
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587 schools and 215 libraries through all nine Bay Area counties
The Bay Area Discovery Museum is committed to being welcoming and inclusive. We are continuously working toward the goal of reflecting the diversity of the Bay Area both within our organization and with those we serve.
NOTE TO CANDIDATE
Due to the sensitivity and requirements of our positions, you should expect to undergo and be cleared of an employment background/criminal check if extended an offer for employment. You may also be asked to provide proof of educational degree(s), licenses, credentials, or vaccinations pertinent to the position.