The Organization
Rooted in South Philadelphia, Greater Philadelphia Community Alliance (GPCA) is the result of a strategic merger between Diversified Community Services (DCS) and United Communities Southeast Philadelphia (UCSEP). Both organizations share a long history in the settlement house movement of the late 1800s.
Over the last several years, DCS and UCSEP have experienced a resurgence and extraordinary growth. We have earned a reputation as an entrepreneurial trailblazer by capturing the regard of colleagues and funders, locally and nationally. GPCA's mission is to break the generational poverty cycle by ensuring equitable resource distribution for vulnerable children, families, and communities. We aim to be Philadelphia's catalyst for community empowerment, partnership, and the upward mobility of families and communities. We are committed to a nonprofit model that promotes social enterprise, an inspiring and safe environment, and a team-oriented culture.
GPCA'scurrent operating budget is approximately $24 million, with 200+ employees across more than nine programs and eight locations.
GPCA's programming areas include:
- For young children: Early childhood education
- For school-age youth: Out-of-school time programming (after school and summer camp) and case management for at-risk youth
- For adults: Employment training, parenting education, energy assistance programs, housing counseling programs, and financial literacy; and
- For the community at large: Affordable housing and community economic development
Building on this solid platform, DCS and UCSEP's strategic merger to become GPCA will strengthen our mission impact, fill our need to expand community impact across South Philadelphia and beyond, and increase our organizational stability.
GPCA has been a leader in early childhood education for 42 years. GPCA's childcare centers are nationally recognized and accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). NAEYC sets the standard for quality early education with rigorous requirements and regulations regarding programming, staffing, and family and community involvement. GPCA's centers have also obtained a Keystone STAR 4
ratings. The Keystone STARS is Pennsylvania’s program to improve the quality of early learning. It is a voluntary program that recognizes Department of Public Welfare (DPW) regulated childcare providers who exceed state health and safety certification requirements. The Keystone STARS is a nationally recognized quality rating system beginning at STAR One and progressing up through Two, Three, and Four.
Position Overview:
This position is a key member of the Leadership and is responsible for successfully managing their department and organization. In this role, the position will participate and collaborate with strategic direction and decisions for Diversified Community Services.
The Center Director is responsible for the overall operations of the assigned facility and the administration and development of programs in order to reflect the goals and objectives of the agency. He/She supervises and assesses assigned staff as they carry out their duties in accordance with their job description. There are occasions when it may be necessary for the center director to perform his/her duties outside the physical building that houses the Early Childhood program. The center director is responsible for purchasing and storing supplies essential to the program's needs. The nature of the job requires the lifting of objects and children.
Key Responsibilities:
- Designs and administers program curricula to promote the growth and development of the children.
- Coordinate regularly scheduled parent meetings in order to address the needs of the families.
- Operates the center in conformity with federal, state, and local regulations and any other licensing entity in order to maintain compliance.
- Recommend changes in the agency’s standards, procedures, and policies.
- Post the vacancies of positions, interview, and forward recommendation(s) to the HR Director.
- Supervises and/or performs the staff orientation to ensure their understanding of the agency’s mission, the center’s philosophy, governing regulations, policies, and procedures with which they must comply.
- Supervises and evaluates personnel, paid and volunteer, assigned to the center.
- Approves requests for sick and vacation leave.
- Recommends disciplinary actions, including dismissal.
- Recommends changes in the organizational structure, including the addition or deletion of center positions.
- Schedules work assignments of center personnel.
- Supervises and/or performs the record-keeping and ensures the safekeeping of such reports and records as:
- Payroll records
- Leave and vacation requests and records
- Enrollment and attendance records
- Food count records
- Children’s records
- Health and safety inspections
- Personnel records
- Requisitions and inventories
- Financial reports
- Plan and conduct regular meetings and in-service training meetings for center staff.
- Observe ECE/classroom activities.
- Participate in supervisory and administrative staff meetings.
- Recommend expenditure and estimate revenue for future budgets.
- Supervise and/or perform the collection of fees and their safety deposit.
- Assist in the editing and/or writing of the center brochure, center policies, and parent booklet.
- Order supplies and equipment.
- Supervise and/or perform children's enrollment.
- Maintain a physical environment that meets state and local codes and regulations; supervise the cleaning and minor repairs; secure janitorial services.
- Develops and maintains effective communication with parents through daily greetings, parent conferences, regular parent meetings, and written communication.
- Design and carry out activities and programs to meet the special needs of parents and their children as resources permit; bring to the attention of the Executive Director needed activities and programs beyond the resources of the center.
- Represent the center at the agency and outside meetings.
- Attend meetings that relate to daycare/early childhood/school-age programming and at least one conference or workshop a year.
- Submit verbal or written reports as required.
- Assist in developing grant requests and proposals; supervise all fundraising activities and events at the center.
- Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, or changed at any time by the Executive Director, either verbally or in writing.
- Performs any other related duties as required or assigned.
Salary: $55, 000-$58,000 with a $2,000 Sign on Bonus
Benefits: we provide a competitive benefits package, which includes:
- Medical and dental benefits
- Life insurance and short-term & long-term disability
- 403(b) retirement plan; GPCA will match 100% of your contribution up to 4% of your gross compensation
- Paid time off that includes 15 days of vacation the first to second year, 20 days’ vacation the third year; and 24 days’ vacation the fourth year and beyond
- Twelve sick days per year
- Eleven paid holidays
Greater Philadelphia Community Alliance is committed to providing equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected status with respect to recruitment, hiring, upgrades, training, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment. This policy complies with applicable federal, state, and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $55,000.00 - $58,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
Education:
Experience:
- Early childhood education: 2 years (Preferred)
- Supervising: 2 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- CPR Certification (Preferred)
Work Location: In person