Director, Early Learning Child Development Centers & Early Childhood Education,

Job Summary

Responsibility for the oversight of the operations of both the FGCU Early Learning Child Development Centers (Little Eagles Learning Center & NCEF Child Development Center) including supervision of the Directors, and the hiring of staff, daily operations, budget management, fundraising initiatives, and licensure and accreditation.
Assignment will include undergraduate and graduate level teaching as appropriate; student field experience supervision; course and/or curriculum development; scholarship; serving on College and University committees; and, other duties as assigned.

Florida Gulf Coast University is committed to establishing and maintaining an inclusive working and learning environment in which students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all other aspects of the campus life reflect a diverse, multi-cultural, and international worldview.

At FGCU, we collectively stand against any individual or group that practices any form of racism, discrimination, intolerance, hate expressions, or disrespect. We are committed to preparing students to understand, live among, appreciate, and work in an inherently diverse country and world made up of people with different ethnic and racial backgrounds, religious beliefs, abilities, ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, socio-economic status, cultural traditions, family statuses, and military backgrounds. FGCU strives to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes our University stronger. The University community recognizes the importance of a diverse and inclusive institution and holds these ideals as paramount for the current and future success of the institution.

We seek colleagues who promote and embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply for this position as we believe that our University will grow and move forward through a commitment of equality for all.

Job Description

Essential Job Duties

• Supervises the daily operations of the Early Learning Child Development Centers including: implementation, monitoring and managing operating budgets, hiring and supervision of staff, maintains the license and accreditation status, and identifies and pursues fundraising efforts.
• Responsible for providing programmatic and instructional leadership to obtain and maintain National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation as outlined in the mission and vision of the center.
• Serves as liaison for the Center, University, parents, and the surrounding community to ensure that childcare routines are consistent with good child development principles.
• Serves as a supervisor and mentor to Center Directors, teachers, and staff in teaching infants, toddlers, and/or preschool children and serving in such on a limited basis as needed for ratio and/or coverage.
• Maintains written records monitoring child’s progress in all areas of development.
• Ensures the health, safety, welfare, and accountability of children through constant supervision; and that parents receive adequate information about their child’s experiences.
• Assignment may include undergraduate and graduate level teaching as appropriate; course and/or curriculum development; serving on College and University committees (including dissertations) and/or other initiatives; and other duties as assigned.

Additional Job Description

Required Qualifications

• Education Doctorate (Ph.D or Ed.D.) from an accredited institution in area of Early Childhood Education, Curriculum Instruction, Elementary Education, Educational Leadership or closely related field with administrative and/or teaching experience in an early learning child development and research setting.
• Current Florida Child Care Director Credential (Advanced) or eligible to obtain within 30 days of employment. Current First-Aid and CPR certification upon employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant and sustained experience with children in a full-time licensed child care facility or public/private school program; experience in managing an early child development and research center; Demonstrated excellence in research-informed teaching, teaching-informed research, and field-informed innovative learning, teaching, research and community engagement.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of state and local rules and regulations, which govern childcare, NAEYC accreditation standards, and Florida Early Learning Standards; childcare standards in the areas of health, safety and nutrition; and state regulations governing the identification and reporting of child abuse and neglect.
• Knowledge of child development including typical and atypical language, cognitive, motor, social, and self-help skills development
• Knowledge of educational program development and the ability to design and deliver high quality interpretive programs to infants, toddlers, and/or preschool children.
• Ability to manage overall budget including salary, expense, operating capital, auxiliary, grant, and other personnel services funds.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to multi-task.
• Ability to apply sound judgment and discretion in confidential matters.
• Ability to provide services to all children and families with respect and dignity.
• Ability to work with students and colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to work in an environment that includes young children and numerous interruptions and function under pressure
• Ability to thrive in an organization that values the diversity of its student body and workforce and actively promotes equity and inclusion.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Appointment will be made at an out-of-unit faculty rank commensurate with the candidate’s experience on a 12-month out-of-unit multi-year appointment basis available as early as January 2022.

Because applications and materials are subject to public review and retention under Florida’s Public Records Law, please DO NOT send examples of your project/scholarship unless requested to do so. Therefore all submitted materials including articles, disks, slides, books, etc., become the property of FGCU and CANNOT BE RETURNED. As applicable, finalists will be notified of the need to submit specific additional materials. Such materials will become the property of FGCU.

Under Florida’s Public Records law, applications will be available for public review upon request.

Required Application Materials:

• Unofficial Transcripts
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy
• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research
• Five (5) Professional References

The position is listed as “open until filled”, however applications received by October 23, 2022 will receive priority consideration.

Salary commensurate with education and experience

FGCU is an EOE AA /F/Vet/Disability Employer.