Assistant Director of Preschool & Noah’s Ark Camp Director

3506 Gwynnbrook Ave, Owings Mills, MD 21117, USA Req #953

Monday, March 31, 2025

Founded in 1854, the Baltimore Jewish Community Center (JCC) has evolved into an organization of vitality and diversity. In keeping with its Jewish values, the JCC is committed to enhancing the general welfare of the total community. If you are looking for a job where the work environment is both stimulating and supportive and the mission is focused on promoting and strengthening Jewish life and values, then the JCC could be the place for you.

Inspired by the work we do every day, the JCC is an organization centered on Jewish values and focused on creating meaningful experiences and opportunities to enrich, connect, and positively impact our community.

We pride ourselves on our inclusive and welcoming workplace and celebrate the diversity of our employees.

We value all members of our team in a supportive environment in which everyone is treated with appreciation and respect and positioned to do their best work every day.

SUMMARY:

The Assistant Director of Preschool and Noah’s Ark Camp Director at the Stoler Early Learning Center is a full-time leadership role responsible for the day-to-day oversight of the Stoler Early Learning Center’s preschool and managing the summer Noah’s Ark Camp. The Assistant Director collaborates with the Senior Director to ensure effective operations, staff management to include hiring, onboarding, and retention, and curriculum oversight. This role focuses on creating a positive, developmentally appropriate learning environment rooted in Jewish values and fostering children’s curiosity, creativity, and growth while ensuring that the mission, vision, and goals of J Early Childhood are followed.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

Specific duties include but are not limited to:

Program Development and Administration

• Assist the Senior Director and leadership team in managing the daily operations, scheduling, and parent communication.
• Collaborate with the Senior Director and Assistant Director of Infant Toddler in designing and implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum infused with Jewish values, traditions, and holidays.
• Support teachers in planning and executing engaging and enriching classroom activities that promote children's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.
• Provide on-going and timely communication with parents of children enrolled in the school.
• Work with the ELC Leadership team to maintain organization of shared spaces within the ELC.
• Responsible for school opening or closing. (Opening means arriving at 7:30am to greet staff and families as they begin the day. Closing means remaining until 5:30pm or when the last child is picked up).

Staff Management and Development:

• Hiring and Onboarding:
  • Actively manage teacher recruitment in partnership with the marketing, human resources, and ELC Leadership team.
  • Responsible for conducting phone screenings, first round interviews, and arranging 2^nd round interviews for the Senior Director.
  • Responsible for onboarding new staff members, including completion of New Hire Orientation, training on licensing guidelines and ELC policies and protocols, weekly check-ins with new staff as they adjust to the team, program, and culture.
• Provide guidance, support, and mentorship to preschool teaching staff.
• Conduct on-going and annual performance evaluations, goal setting, and documentation of teachers’ performance to provide feedback.
• Model best practices in early childhood education, behavioral management, and lesson planning to support teachers.
• Assist teachers and teaching teams to create and utilize observation templates to document individual student development.
• Keep abreast of new developments in the field of early childhood education and assist in creating and maintaining a library of resources for educators (books, articles, videos, webinars) to support their growth and deepen their knowledge of developmentally appropriate practice and child-centered learning.
• Organize and facilitate Professional Development for staff on relevant topics such as licensing regulations, active supervision and child safety, and mandated reporting.

Family and Community Engagement:

• Collaborate with the Senior Director to foster strong parent relationships and encourage family involvement.

• Represent the preschool at community events, outreach initiatives, and networking opportunities to promote enrollment and strengthen relationships with stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, other agencies, and outside partners to enhance program visibility, family engagement, and enrollment.

Noah’s Ark Camp Director (June-August):

• Program Oversight: Lead the transition of the Stoler Early Learning Center to Noah’s Ark Camp, designing and implementing an exciting and fun summer curriculum that integrates Jewish values and fosters developmental growth.
• Camper Recruitment: Collaborate with both internal and external partners to promote camp, increase enrollment, and manage recruitment events. Keep parents informed and updated through regular communication.
• Staff Management: Oversee the hiring, onboarding, and training of summer staff. Provide leadership and mentorship, ensuring a cohesive and well-supported team. Facilitate staff orientation and professional development.
• Operations & Budget: Manage the camp budget for Noah’s Ark Camp ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently within budgetary guidelines.
• Communication: Serve as the primary point of contact for parents and campers, providing regular updates.
• Community Engagement: Serve as the primary ambassador for Noah’s Ark Camp, fostering a welcoming, positive and inclusive environment for family, staff, and the community. Collaborate with the year-round J Camps team contributing to the broader program goals and initiatives.

General Responsibilities for all Early Childhood Staff:

• Demonstrate self-awareness, empathy, confidentiality and professionalism, treating all children and staff with dignity, respect and compassion.
• Ensure the health and safety of children at all times.
• Maintain a positive and calm presence and support staff, children, and families in challenging situations.
• Promote the equitable, fair and consistent treatment of all staff, parents, and children.
• Participate in all training programs, conferences, seminars, courses and other aspects of professional development and continuing education provided by the JCC and other outside resources to meet the MSDE licensing requirements.

WHO YOU ARE:

• Bachelor’s degree in one of the following or related fields preferred: Early Childhood Education, Curriculum Development, Special Education, Psychology, Family Studies, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience working with young children in an educational or similar environment.
• Strong understanding of child development and best practices in early childhood education and an in-depth knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices including play-based and child-centered learning. Experience with constructivist philosophy, including project work and documentation preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of behavior management and effective teaching techniques.
• Proven leadership abilities with experience coaching and supporting educators.
• Familiarity with Jewish cultures and customs and/or a willingness to learn.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written with the ability to engage effectively with children, families, and staff.
• Possess strong organizational skills with the ability to muti-task and prioritize multiple projects and initiatives.
• Proficiency with technology includes computers, i-Pads, our Parent Portal (Brightwheel App), Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Zoom, cameras and other apps and platforms.
• Must be CPR and First Aid certified or have the ability to obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid certification within three months of employment. Medical administration certification is also required.

PHYSICAL SKILLS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment is typically loud and fast paced. This position requires high energy and positive interactions with staff, parents, members, other agency employees, community leaders, and outside partners, vendors, and others.

The role involves frequent use of a phone and computer, , as well as physical activities such as reaching, stooping, kneeling, and crouching. The employee must have the ability to lift, carry, and/or move children or other objects at up to 50 pounds and engage with children by sitting on the floor with them.

This role requires spending extended periods of time outdoors, on your feet each day in a variety of weather conditions. Must have the ability to move across the campus to address emergency situations.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Salary (or Salary Range): $60,000 - $70,000

Benefit & Perks: The JCC offers a comprehensive benefits package including generous time off, paid holidays, health, dental and vision insurance, 401(k) employer match, FSA/HSA options, life insurance, long term disability, complimentary membership to the Jewish Community Center, discounts on programs including preschool and summer camp, and wellbeing programming.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and incumbent will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by supervisor or other management, as required. The JCC reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the needs arise. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

The Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. In keeping with our Jewish values, we are dedicated to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, marital status, citizenship, veteran's status, physical or mental disability that does not prohibit the performance of essential job functions (with or without reasonable accommodation) or any other basis protected by federal, or applicable, state or local law. We welcome everyone interested in our mission to join us. If you require accommodation, please contact us and we will make every effort to meet your needs.

The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore and its Agencies are equal opportunity employers, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, marital status, citizenship, veteran's status, physical or mental disability that does not prohibit the performance of essential job functions (with or without reasonable accommodation) or any other basis protected by federal, or applicable, state or local law.