Assistant Program Director

JOB TITLE: Assistant Program Director

REPORTS TO: Director of Programs and Impact

SUPERVISES: Teaching Staff (in the absence of Director of Programs and Impact)

STATUS: Full-time exempt, 40-hrs/week (100% Programs)

SCHEDULE: Fortress is open Monday-Friday, 6:30am-6:000pm. The Director of Programs and Impact and Assistant Program Director typically split their schedules to cover our open hours with one shift from 6:30am-3:00pm and the other from 9:30am-6:00pm; however, flexibility in scheduling is required. Some additional evening, early morning, and weekend work will be required with this position. As a salaried, exempt employee, this position will be expected to work the hours necessary to complete all responsibilities, which may occasionally require extended hours.

COMPENSATION: $55,000-60,000/year 

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Assistant Program Director is responsible for assisting the Director of Programs and Impact in ensuring that day-to-day operations provide a safe, enjoyable, and enriching experience for children and parents served by Fortress programs, and that goals are being met in accordance with the program’s logic model and data collection plan. The Assistant Program Director is responsible for classroom support as needed, and for managing/supervising the staff and day-to-day operations in the absence of the Director.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contributes to providing quality service in whatever capacity is required in accordance with skills and training.


• Assists the Director of Programs and Impact in ensuring that Fortress is operating in compliance with the organization’s internal policies and procedures, and with the regulations of all programmatic governing agencies, including HHS Child-Care Licensing, CACFP, CCMS, Texas Rising Star, Head Start, and Texas School Ready.


• Supports the process of apportioning the work among the employees and directing work of teaching and kitchen staff. 


• Helps to ensure the safety and security of the children, employees, and the property. 


• Assists the Director of Programs and Impact in ensuring enrollment goals are met.


• Reviews enrollment applications to ensure accuracy and completeness.


• Supports implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum.


• Supports child screening and child assessment process. Ensures children are referred to community resources as necessary.


• Manages staffing needs to meet Child Care Licensing Minimum Standards for classroom ratios.


• Is available and accessible to parents/guardians daily and responds professionally to parent/guardian concerns.


• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or related field is required.


• Minimum of three years of classroom or management experience in an early childhood setting.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Maintains awareness of trends and best practices and is proactive in continually acquiring knowledge in fields related to children and families, poverty and homelessness, and early childhood development and education. 


• Is knowledgeable about Child Care Licensing Minimum Standards and Head Start Performance Standards.


• Has knowledge of Google apps (Drive, Sheets, Docs, and Gmail) - or the ability to learn and use them independently.


• Is able to learn and use software programs needed in the operations of Fortress programs, including, but not limited to BambooHR, Brightwheel, or any other data collection and reporting software.


• Excellent time management and a self-starter attitude.


• Highly Preferred: Bilingual in English and Spanish.


• Bonus: Formally trained in one or more of the theories of practice that Fortress utilizes, including: Trust-Based Relational Intervention; Conscious Discipline; Crisis Prevention Institute; and Understanding Poverty/Bridges Out of Poverty.

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Is a mature and practicing Christian, with the ability to serve as a spiritual leader to other staff.


• Has a passion for the mission and goals of Fortress, particularly when it comes to meeting the academic, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of children and families experiencing poverty.


• Meets the Texas Health & Human Services (HHS) director qualifications, which requires that directors:
  
  
  
  • Be 21 years of age or older;
  
  
  • Have a sufficient combination of education and experience (See section §746.1015 of HHS Minimum Standards for details. Preference will be given to candidates who meet non-expiring director’s qualifications.)
  
  
  • Pass a criminal background check; and
  
  
  • Comply with Texas HHS Minimum Standards for Child-Care Centers.
  
  
  
  


• Has a strong grasp of the formal and casual language registers, exceptional interpersonal skills, and the ability to interact effectively with staff, clients, and community partners.


• Is highly dependable, with good attendance, resourcefulness, and the ability to initiate and oversee projects in adherence to timelines and schedules.


• Possesses empathy and the ability to provide both nurturing care and relational structure for children, families, and staff.


• Operates from a trauma-informed and equity-oriented perspective when working with children, families, and employees.

BENEFITS

• Paid leave (eligibility requirements apply):
  
  
  
  •  2 weeks of paid time off 
  
  
  • 21 days of paid holiday closures 
  
  
  • Paid Parental Leave 
  
  
  • Flex time granted to exempt employees who exceed 40 working hours in a one-week period 
  
  
  
  


• Membership in a telehealth program (this is not health insurance), which includes free telemedicine visits, discounted laboratory testing, free prescription program (limited to certain prescriptions), and free/discounted virtual therapy.


• Reduced-tuition enrollment in Fortress preschool for children ages 6-weeks through 4 years (when space is available).


• Professional development assistance, which includes 30 annual hours of paid clock hours of ongoing professional development and other classes or certifications as approved by the director or direct supervisor.


• Complimentary lunch (we eat what our students eat!)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• At least 60% of time will be spent on your feet or otherwise actively interacting with students, staff, and parents.


• As much as 40% of time will be spent in administrative work, such as being seated at a computer or making phone calls.


• This role involves meeting moderate physical demands, particularly while interacting with children, such as lifting and carrying items weighing up to 40 lbs.


• The majority of this role occurs on-site and at Fortress’s facility, however, some local travel is required. This role must possess and maintain a valid Texas driver’s license.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Candidates with lived experience facing economic or racial injustice are strongly encouraged to apply. Fortress does not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, or other non-merit factors. We reserve the right to inquire about and screen for religious affiliation and faith practices as a bona fide occupational requirement, as allowed by federal law under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

MISSION

Fortress provides hope and resources for children and their families as they work toward long-term stability, health, and happiness. Through programs focused on academic, social-emotional, and spiritual support, our dual-generational approach utilizes existing strengths and develops new skills to help families overcome barriers rooted in systemic inequities, generational trauma, and life circumstances.

CORE VALUES

Our team is dedicated to upholding a core set of values which define our organization and align with our overall mission. We are:

• United in Christ


• Equity Oriented


• Family Focused


• Learning Centered


• Trauma Informed


• Unflinchingly Bold


• Rooted in Empathy


• Entrepreneurial yet Disciplined
  

To learn more about our work culture, core values, and faith practices – and to apply! – visit www.fortressfw.org/hiring