Three/Fours Classroom Coordinator

The Glencoe Park District is a nationally accredited, Gold Medal Award–winning agency dedicated to enriching lives, building community, and fostering an inclusive, positive environment where everyone feels respected and valued. Join our team and be part of a mission-driven organization that invests in its staff, supports professional growth, and makes a meaningful impact on families every day. Come help us create exceptional experiences for the Glencoe community!

Job Summary:
Under the supervision of the Early Childhood Director, the Children’s Circle Three/Four Classroom Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the operations of the Three/Four’s classrooms (three classrooms) along with No Nap Club; a three/fours preschool enrichment.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting daily classroom operations.
• Serving as a substitute and providing coverage in other classrooms as needed.
• Ensuring proper staff breaks across the Children’s Circle program.
• Managing hiring accounts.
• Reporting personnel or program-related concerns to the Head Children’s Circle Coordinator.
• In the absence of both the Early Childhood Director and the Head Children’s Circle Coordinator, this position will serve as the designated director.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education.
• Minimum of 21 credit hours in Early Childhood Education, including at least 3 credits in Early Childhood Administration, or willingness to obtain these credits within two years with a grade of B or higher.
• Gateways IL Director Credential preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience working in a DCFS-licensed facility required.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• First Aid/CPR/AED certification required within six months of hire.
• Food Handler Certificate required within 30 days of hire.
• Completion of all DCFS-required paperwork within 60 days of hire.
• All full-time employees must complete a criminal background check, drug test, and physical exam, all covered by the Glencoe Park District.

Required Knowledge:

• Strong understanding and practical knowledge of DCFS rules and regulations.
• Demonstrated expertise in children’s physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development.
• Familiarity with early childhood education principles, including play-based learning methodologies.
• General knowledge of Park District programs and operations.
• Ability to respond effectively in emergency situations, provide appropriate staff support, and exercise sound judgment when interacting with the public.
  
  

Required Skills:

• Must consistently demonstrate behavioral flexibility, tact, and strong public relations skills.
• Must maintain patience at all times, especially in challenging situations.
• Requires an open and collaborative communication style.
• Expected to contribute to a positive and respectful work environment by fostering strong relationships with colleagues and leadership.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Teaching

• Spend at least 50% of the time in the classroom, either in ratio, observing, or mentoring staff.
• Assist in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate early childhood education experiences, including activities in art, music, literature, science, and mathematics.
• Promote and supervise activities that support each child’s emotional, social, intellectual, and physical development.
• Collaborate with families to support their understanding of their child’s development and encourage participation in school programs and events; attend parent groups and school functions when possible.
• Help maintain clean, organized, and inviting classroom environments.
• Foster and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers and families.
• Supervise all classroom and outdoor activities to ensure the safety and well-being of each child at all times.
• Assist children with self-care routines as needed.
• Open and/or close the Early Childhood Center as required.
• Administer prescribed medications in accordance with Park District policies and DCFS regulations.
• Interact with children and families in a sensitive, compassionate, and positive manner.
• Engage with children throughout the day in developmentally appropriate ways, including speaking at their eye level and actively participating in free play and large motor activities when possible.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Acting Director Designee

• Respond appropriately to emergency situations.
• Ensure compliance with all Glencoe Park District policies.
• Adhere to all applicable DCFS regulations.
• Contact parents promptly when a child becomes ill or injured, and isolate ill children when necessary.
• Ensure the safety and supervision of all children during field trips.
• Conduct frequent name-to-face head counts of all children in care.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Administrative

• Interview potential full-time and part-time employees.
• Manage applicant tracking systems and communicate with prospective candidates throughout the hiring process.
• Provide support in onboarding and training new employees.
• Directly supervise full-time and part-time staff in the Penguins and Turtles classrooms.
• Schedule and conduct monthly check-in meetings with each direct report.
• Oversee staff in the Threes and Fours summer camp programs.
• Plan and implement all Preschool Day Off events throughout the year.
• Review and approve bi-weekly timecards for all direct reports.
• Conduct annual performance evaluations for direct reports and provide merit increase recommendations within the approved merit pool.

Required Physical Traits

• Must be able to lift a child weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Adequate hearing to respond to and accommodate children’s verbal needs.
• Ability to grasp and manipulate objects such as doorknobs, file drawers, and diapers.
• Ability to bend, stretch, and reach to pick up and store toys and equipment.
• Sufficient vision to supervise children and participate in activities such as reading.
• Ability to write clearly to communicate with parents and supervisors.
• Strong verbal communication skills to interact effectively with children, families, and coworkers.

Physical Demands:
The considerations described below represent those that must be met by an employee who successfully performs the essential functions of the Two’s/Three’s Classroom Coordinator. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, bend, and lift for extended periods of time. Work requires handling medium-weight materials or equipment, including lifting up to 50 pounds and frequently lifting and/or carrying objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Psychological Demands:
To be successful, an individual must be customer service oriented and able to deal with patrons with various needs. Work has the potential to involve dealing with angry customers.

Work Environment:

Work usually takes place in clean, pleasant, and comfortable office conditions. The noise level is usually moderate but occasionally loud.

Hours:

Regular scheduled hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM –6:00 PM. Due to the nature of park district programming, evening, weekend, and some holiday hours may be expected.

Pay Scale:

This is a Full-Time, exempt position. The intended starting annual pay for this position is $55,307-$60,000 (before taxes and applicable payroll deductions) with a full pay scale ranging from $55,307 to $80,195 a year.

Final compensation will be determined in good faith based on an evaluation of the candidate's qualifications, experience, and the recommendation of the Early Childhood Director or the Executive Director.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription, and Hearing coverage
• Flexible Spending Account and Health Savings Account
• Life Insurance (basic & voluntary additional coverage)
• Participation in Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) - Defined Benefit Pension
• Short- and Long-Term Disability (IMRF)
• Supplemental Benefits (Aflac)
• Employee Assistance Program
• 457 Defined Contribution Plans
• Medical and Childcare Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time Off (sick, vacation, floating holidays and personal time) & Paid Family Leave
• Public Commuter Transit Benefit
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Park District Membership, Program and Rental Discounts
  

*To review the full job description, please contact the hiring manager.

Glencoe Park District is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should notify the human resource manager.