Director of Licensing & Compliance Child Care

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Youth Development Director of Licensing and Compliance reports directly to the VP of Youth Development and provides oversight, and administration for all licensed childcare of the YMCA of East Tennessee. This position ensures all programs consistently meet or exceed local, state, and federal licensing and compliance standards, including Tennessee Department of Human Services, and the National Afterschool Association (NAA). The Director oversees compliance systems, audits, reporting, staff training, policy implementation, and operational readiness for both new and existing program sites. In addition, every position in the YMCA of East Tennessee is responsible for upholding the Judeo-Christian principles that are central to our mission by modeling behaviors that exemplify the Y’s core values – caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
Requirements

CORE FUNCTIONS:

1. Provide leadership and operational oversight for all licensed childcare programs throughout the YMCA of East Tennessee area.
2. Ensure all programs maintain compliance with applicable childcare licensing standards, QRIS and accreditation standards, health and safety regulations, YMCA policies, and federal nutrition program requirements.
3. Coordinate and manage licensing applications, renewals, inspections, corrective action plans, audits, and monitoring visits for all new and existing program sites.
4. Develop, implement, and monitor policies, procedures, and operational systems to ensure program quality, consistency, and risk reduction.
5. Support the expansion and onboarding of new childcare program locations, including licensing readiness and operational setup.
6. Conduct site visits, compliance reviews, and operational assessments to ensure quality standards are maintained. Eash site must be visited a minimum of every 2 months.
7. Assist with emergency preparedness planning, incident response, documentation, and risk management procedures across all program sites.
8. Ensure accurate recordkeeping, documentation, reporting, and timely submission of all required compliance materials.
9. Provide direct leadership, coaching, and support to program leaders and administrative staff related to licensing and compliance expectations.
10. Promote a culture of accountability, professionalism, inclusion, and continuous improvement among all staff teams.
11. Build and maintain positive relationships with community organizations, school districts, families, and local partners.
12. Provide leadership support for association initiatives, events, and community engagement opportunities.
13. Assures compliance with state and local regulations in areas of but not limited to; ensuring sites are staffed according to DHS and Y adult to child ratio; financial, staff records and all documents needed for inspection; evaluates each site to ensure consistent with Y, DHS, and NAA policies and procedures.
14. Coordinates the ordering and distribution of programming material and needed supplies to each site.
15. Responsibility for ongoing training of staff as well as three performance evaluations per year in accordance with DHS policies.
16. Organize, attend, and supervise field trips on in-service days and/or during holiday camps.
17. Provides data and reports as required for assigned programs.
18. Follows all Y policies, rules, regulations and procedures, including emergency and safety procedures. Completes incident and accident reports, as necessary.
19. Other duties may be assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
May occasionally serve as a temporary site director during the absence or vacancy of a site director position. Planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and conflict resolution. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluations of these units. Monitors daily operation to adhere to all Y health and safety standards and policies.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and /or ability required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor’s degree in human services, social services, business administration, education, nonprofit management, or related field preferred. Equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirements. Two or more years of management and leadership experience, preferably in YMCA, childcare, nonprofit, youth development, or licensed program administration settings. Experience with childcare licensing regulations, compliance administration, or regulatory oversight preferred. Demonstrated experience in program administration, operational leadership, and risk management. Strong organizational, problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities and program locations in a fast-paced environment. Commitment to the mission, values, and goals of the YMCA of East Tennessee. YMCA Team Leader certification preferred or obtained within two years of hire.

REASONING ABILITIY
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or scheduled form.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outdoor weather. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10’s and 100’s. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume and distance.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Frequently required to talk or hear (25 yards). Occasionally required to stand, walk, sit and use hands and fingers. Employee may occasionally be required to lift 50 pounds. Vision abilities required by this job include close, distance (100 yards), color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Ability to plan, lead and participate in a range of activities in a variety of outdoor/indoor settings.

LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups children and adults as well as employees of the organization.

DIVERSITY, EQUALITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING
The YMCA of East Tennessee is an equal opportunity employment employer. We do not discriminate against, and welcome all ages, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, COURSES
New Employee Orientation; required before starting work, provided by the Y.
Annual Training; must take part in minimum of 36 hours training annually.
Additional training, licenses, and courses may be required throughout employment.

The YMCA of East Tennessee is an equal opportunity employment employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.