Center Director

Best to apply by 7/30/26

This position is intended for the 2026-2027 school year. Position is open until filled.

ESD 113 learns from and cares for our staff, schools, students, families, and the land, works alongside communities to build pathways that expand opportunity, and acts with collective purpose to advance educational justice.

This position is scheduled for 240 days/year, 8 hours/day.

This position is located in Thurston County, WA.

Pay steps 1-3 are considered FLSA non exempt.

Pay steps 4-5 are considered FLSA exempt.

Benefits include Medical/Dental/Vision, Life/AD&D insurance, FSA/DCAP, LTD insurance, Retirement/DCP, EAP, Annual Leave, Sick Leave, Personal Leave and Holiday Pay.

Required attachments: Cover Letter, Resume, and Transcripts.

Please see the job description below for additional Minimum Job Qualifications and a list of Essential Functions

Purpose Statement

The job of ELP- Center Director is done for the purpose of managing daily operations, ensuring a safe and compliant environment for children and staff. Key responsibilities include developing and implementing curriculum, supervising and training teachers, managing staff and finances, handling administrative tasks, overseeing facility maintenance, and engaging with parents to foster strong community relationships in accordance with the Federal and State Performance Standards and Regulations. Strong leadership, excellent communication, and a deep understanding of child development are crucial for this role.

Essential Functions

Assures the implementation of early learning curriculum, and other strategies by classroom observations and home visits for the purpose of creating high quality early learning classrooms that meet federal and state standards.

Assures that recruitment and enrollment activities occur for the purpose of achieving and maintaining full enrollment as per grant requirements.

Attends workshops, meetings, in-service, training, etc. for the purpose of maintaining professional knowledge in early childhood education and disabilities.

Collaborates with others (e.g. education specialist; parent, family, and community specialist; health specialist; mental health specialists; and other content service experts, etc.) for the purpose of implementing and maintaining services and/or programs.

Facilitates communication between families and program personnel, outside agencies, employers, etc. for the purpose of evaluating situations, solving problems and/or resolving conflicts.

Oversee, train, and supervise all preschool staff, conduct performance reviews, and coordinate recruitment to fill vacancies for the purpose of maintaining high quality early learning centers.

Maintains manual and electronic files and/or records (e.g. eligibility and enrollment information, center activities, personnel files, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing reliable information, and complying with district, state and federal requirements.

Monitors a variety of processes (e.g. budgets, inventory, health and safety, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring a safe and sanitary facility and that services are delivered in conformance with district, state and federal requirements.

Monitors early childhood education, disability, health and family engagement data for the purpose of maintaining a high quality program in compliance with state and federal requirements that prepares children and families for success in school.

Manage daily operations, ensure compliance with licensing and safety regulations, and oversee property and facility maintenance for the purpose of maintaining safe centers for staff, children, and families.

Participates in program planning for the purpose of implementing and monitoring effective early childhood programs.

Participates in meetings and facilitates workshops and seminars for the purpose of creating and implementing a high quality early learning program for children and families.

Performs personnel functions (e.g. interviewing, hiring, evaluating, scheduling work assignments, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining adequate staffing, enhancing productivity of personnel and achieving objectives within budget and funding source requirements.

Prepares a wide variety of written materials (e.g. reports, memos, letters, policies, budgets, inventory, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written references and/or conveying information.

Provides regular supervisory meetings with all center staff for the purpose of facilitating professional growth opportunities and to ensure a system of accountability for requirements.

Researches a variety of information (e.g. current practices, laws, etc.) for the purpose of developing new programs and/or plans.

Trains assigned staff for the purpose of providing orientation for new employees, developing professional skills and safety awareness.

Travels between Early Learning center and ESD 113, and other locations as needed for the purpose of completing the essential functions of the job.

Marginal Functions

Assists other personnel as may be required for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment.

Other Duties: Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

Skills: Skills are required to perform multiple, technical tasks with a need to occasionally upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: operating standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications; preparing and maintaining accurate records; and planning and managing projects.

Knowledge: Knowledge is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; read technical information, compose a variety of documents, and/or facilitate group discussions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: pertinent codes, policies, regulations and/or laws; Washington State childcare licensing requirements; and developmentally appropriate practices in working with young children and their families.

Ability: Ability is required to schedule a number of activities, meetings, and/or events; gather and/or collate data; and use job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined and similar processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with others; work with similar types of data; and utilize job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data may require independent interpretation; and problem solving with equipment is limited to moderate. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: communicating with a variety of groups; maintaining confidentiality; working as part of a team; meeting deadlines and schedules; working evenings and Saturdays as needed; adapting to changing work priorities; and work related traveling in personal vehicle.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods; managing a department; supervising the use of funds. Utilization of resources from other work units may be required to perform the job's functions. There is some opportunity to impact the organization's services.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 50% sitting, 25% walking, and 25% standing. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.

Experience

Job related experience within a specialized field with increasing levels of responsibility is required in early childhood. This experience should include two years' supervisory experience and a minimum of four years of experience working in an early childhood center.

Education (Minimum)

Associates degree in job-related area with an emphasis in AA in Early Childhood Education or related Associates degree with a minimum of thirty (30) quarter credits in ECE.

Education (Preferred)

Bachelors degree in job-related areas with an emphasis in BA in Early Childhood Education or related Bachelors degree with a minimum of thirty (30) quarter credits in ECE.

Required Testing, Certificates and Licenses

The following are required for this position:

Physical exam within 6 weeks of hire and periodic exams if doctor recommended
Obtain CPR/First Aid card within 60 days of hire
Obtain Food Handlers Permit within 30 days of hire
Valid Driver's License and Evidence of Insurability

Continuing Education and Training

Maintains Certificates and/or Licenses

Clearances

The following clearances are required:

Criminal Justice and DEL Fingerprint/Background Clearance
MMR Clearance
TB Clearance
WA State Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Release

Position Information

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary Grade: 41

Approval Date: 9/3/2019

Revised Date: 9/26/2025

Capital Region ESD 113 is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Early Learning- Center Director (Thurston County)