Early Childhood Education (ECE) / Academy Director

• Ensure full compliance with all South Dakota Child Care Licensing requirements and Boys & Girls Club of America (BGCA) and Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains (BGCNP) policies, procedures, and regulations, including staff-to-child ratios, documentation, programming standards, and required trainings.
• Provide day-to-day leadership and oversight of licensed early childhood and academy programs, ensuring safe, high-quality operations aligned with state licensing and Club standards.
• Recruit, interview, hire, supervise, evaluate, and discipline assigned employees in accordance with state licensing regulations, BGCA standards, and BGCNP policies and procedures.
• Supervise staff to ensure all personnel meet state licensing, BGCA, and BGCNP requirements, including background checks, training, and certification requirements.
• Maintain program compliance with South Dakota Child Care Licensing, BGCA, and BGCNP standards, including:
  • Health and safety practices
  • Staff-to-child ratios
  • Accurate documentation and recordkeeping
  • Required trainings and certifications
• Serve as a primary point of contact for families by providing clear, professional, and consistent communication, fostering positive relationships, and upholding Club values and expectations.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date licensing and compliance documentation and coordinate licensing visits, inspections, internal reviews, and corrective actions as needed.
• Model and uphold the Club Values of excellence, being impact-driven, teamwork, and good character in all interactions with youth, families, staff, and community partners.
• Manage and monitor program budgets, ensuring fiscally responsible purchasing and alignment with organizational priorities and grant requirements.
• Communicate regularly with parents and guardians through phone calls, emails, and daily interactions to support family engagement, transparency, and trust.
• Support youth social-emotional development by addressing behavioral challenges and assisting with the development and implementation of youth success plans, consistent with Club behavior guidance practices.
• Plan and execute special programming events each semester that align with BGCA priority outcomes and developmental best practices.
• Oversee licensed program budgets and assist with financial tracking related to Academic Success, Good Character & Leadership, and Healthy Lifestyles.
• Implement, monitor, and track assigned grant-funded programs, ensuring compliance with grant requirements, reporting timelines, and organizational standards.
• Facilitate regular staff meetings and participate in required Club trainings, including monthly all-staff meetings and required professional development.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support program quality, compliance, and organizational goals.
• HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday–Friday
  • Summer Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. • School Year Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. and after school until 6:00 p.m.
  • Occasional weeknight and weekend hours may be required to support special events, family engagement activities, trainings, or organizational needs.

• Bachelor’s Degree from an Accredited University is preferred.
• Must meet South Dakota Child Care Licensing qualifications for a Program Administrator by meeting at least one of the following: – Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Education, or Human Development – Two-year degree in Early Childhood Education – Valid Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or similar recognized credential – Certification in a specific child-learning philosophy (e.g., Montessori) plus at least one (1) year of experience in a licensed child care setting – Child Development Technician diploma – Four (4) years of verifiable experience in a licensed child care center or school-age childcare program.
• Experience working with youth from 3 years old through those in 5th grade.
• Management/supervisory experience.
• Must understand, implement, and demonstrate behavior management principles and other youth treatment modalities, per the Club training and values of fun, supportive relationships, recognition, opportunities and expectations, and safety. 
• Must be able to provide leadership, on-the-spot and reflective feedback, and supervision to assigned employees to ensure they, too, understand and demonstrate principles of behavior management and other youth treatment modalities, per the Club training and values of fun, supportive relationships, recognition, opportunities and expectations, and safety. 
• Experience working with state childcare licensing is preferred.

• Must be of the mental and physical capacity to observe, interact, and communicate with youth, staff, volunteers, parents, etc. at the Club to ensure the safety of the space and others, provide guidance and reflection per the Club priority outcomes and goals
• Ability to stand/sit for long periods throughout a shift
• Ability to operate various types of general office equipment including PC, telephone, copier, etc.
• This position is considered a safety-sensitive position.

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain nor be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace!

All qualified applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, non-job-related disability, or any other protected class.

The Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees in compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application/hiring process should contact Human Resources to communicate their request for accommodation at 605-692-3333.

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