The Education Director will report directly to the Senior Director of Early Childhood and manage the daily operations of our 3-K and Pre-K classes. This includes instructional as well as the outreach aspects of the program. The Education Director is responsible for the program in the areas of implementation of curriculum, program/parent events, data entry, staff development/training/hiring, and supervision. The Education Director is also responsible for meeting compliance requirements set forth by all stakeholders including DOE & DOH. The Education Director will act as a substitute teacher on days where staff members are out.
Sunnyside Community Services (SCS), a multi-service settlement house located in Western Queens. SCS Youth and Family Services (YFS) department offers engaging, youth-centered programming to children and youth throughout Queens and beyond. We offer a free, full day Pre-Kindergarten, five after-school and summer camp programs, two Beacon Community Centers, a Cornerstone program, a College Readiness and Career Readiness program. Our youth development continuum spans Pre-K to college, and services are offered across seven campuses.
Responsibilities
Working under the leadership of the Senior Director of Early Childhood, the Education Director’s responsibilities will include:
- Support teachers in implementing curriculum.
- Ensure staff are using Teaching Strategies Gold to assess all students.
- Ensure that operational and educational outcomes are being met.
- Review lesson plans and provide feedback weekly.
- Conduct monthly staff meetings and on-going professional development for team.
- Meet regularly with staff members in 1-1 check-ins.
- Use the ECERs guidelines to conduct classroom observations and set goals.
- Serve as site supervisor and ensure daily operations are conducted in a safe manner.
- Communicate daily with Senior Director of Early Childhood.
- Ensure the safety of all staff and program participants.
- Lead recruitment and retention efforts for all staff and participants.
- Ensure classrooms have adequate staff coverage and coordinate proper supervision as needed, including leading classes.
- Provide coverage in classes when teachers are out and subs are not available.
- Provide communication with families in a timely and professional manner.
- Coordinate and implement monthly family engagement events and newsletters.
- Report all incidents with students, parents or teachers immediately to the Senior Director and HR.
- Attend and participate in trainings, professional development opportunities, and program meetings.
- Adhere to all security and privacy protocols.
- Data entry collection, and management (using Salesforce, DOE Vendor Portal, TSG).
- Respond to requests for program data (from supervisor, agency fiscal department, agency senior managers, data manager, and funders, etc.) in a timely fashion.
- Maintain (staff and student) files and documents for internal and external audits.
- Work with fiscal team and office support in placing month supply orders, keep inventory of items on site, and maintain the UPK budget.
Qualifications
- Minimum bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or related field; master’s degree preferred.
- NYS teacher certification.
- Minimum 3 years of experience in a managerial role.
- Knowledge of ECERS tool a plus.
- Understanding the evaluation process and familiarity with IEP’s a plus.
- Experience in community organizing/community engagement, or other forms of direct outreach.
- Excellent communication, project management, and multi-tasking skills.
- Excellent interpersonal organizational, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated cultural competence with respect to local communities.
- Computer literate with working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
- Proficiency in use of technology (i.e., laptops, computers, tablets).
- Bilingual preferred (proficiency, written and spoken)
Salary Range: $74,000 – $76,000
Reports to: Senior Director of Early Childhood and COMPASS Programs
Start Date: September 1, 2026
Benefits Package
- Comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance
- 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
- Flexible spending account and transit checks
- Employee Assistance Program
- 12 paid holidays plus DOE closures
- 1 sick day per month
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability
How to Apply
If you would like to join our team, please send a cover letter and resume with subject line “Education Director, UPK” to Kelly Connolly, Senior Director of Early Childhood & COMPASS programs, at kconnolly@scsny.org.
All positions at Sunnyside Community Services are filled without regard to race/color, religion/creed, national origin, age, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy-related condition or lactation, military/veteran status, marital status, familial status, caregiver status, sexual or reproductive health decisions, height, weight, status as a victim of domestic violence/stalking/ sex offenses, predisposing genetic characteristic, immigration or citizenship status, prior arrest or conviction record, credit history, salary history, unemployment status, pre-employment marijuana testing, union affiliation/activity, or for reporting or opposing discrimination on these bases or for reporting or opposing violations of workplace health and safety, pay equity or practices, or for participating in any internal or any legally protected status listed in the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL). All are encouraged to apply.
Sunnyside Community Services strives to address, explore, and educate all our stakeholders about the diversity of human experience and to advance and integrate racial equity and social justice into all organizational policies and programs. We believe that everyone, regardless of who they are or what they do for the organization, should feel equally involved and supported.
Sunnyside Community Services represents a commitment to considering the whole person and how systemic barriers and access to opportunities can affect their well-being.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer