Under the general direction of the Sr. Vice President of Operations, this full-time position ensures the inclusion of persons of all abilities into YMCA programs and branches, including child care services and day camp programs.

• Five or more years experience working directly with children with special needs. School-based, out-of-school program or YMCA child care experience preferred. Comparable experience in other organizations may be considered.

• Knowledge and experience in working with families and individuals to create an inclusion services plan.

• Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as well as child care licensing standards and policies in Tennessee and Mississippi.

• Ability to adequately observe program activities, enforce safety regulations and apply appropriate policies and procedures.

• Advise upon and support inclusion practices throughout the YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South in programs and centers, recommending strategies and solutions in support of programs.

• Provide leadership for researching and developing strategies to better serve and engage all segments of our community.

• Develop intake processes and create individual inclusion plans for children requiring accommodation to successfully participate in YMCA programs.

• Create inclusion-based program standards established on best practices and research and develop processes for how this is executed in a large childcare system.

• Serve as a liaison for inclusion with schools, districts, and partnering organizations:

• Conduct regular site visits and inspections of programs and staff serving children and individuals with an inclusion care plan to evaluate program quality and adherence to standards.

• Recruit, hire and train inclusion assistants.

• Develop and manage a department budget

• Researches grants, entitlements and allocations available from the federal and state governments.

• Provide training and development to YMCA staff and volunteers to include, but not limited to; inclusion practices, understanding specific special needs and diagnosis, ACEs, etc.

• Work with leadership to identify and pilot initiatives to engage underserved populations and increase participation and membership/program results.

• Ensure compliance with all state and local agencies including child care licensing.

• Responds to all agency, parent and community inquiries and complaints in a timely manner, seeking guidance from supervisor(s) and peer child care leaders as needed.

• Model superior communication and leadership to their team.

• Attend and participate in assigned staff meetings and special events to provide a collaborative and cohesive approach to the YMCA’s vision and mission.

• Assume other duties and responsibilities as assigned by and agreed to with the Sr. Vice President, Executive Director or Vice President to meet the changing needs of the program and/or branch.

Mission Advancement: Reinforces the Y’s values within the organization and the community. Effectively communicates the benefits and impact of the Y’s efforts for all stakeholders.

Collaboration: Builds and nurtures strategic relationships to enhance support for the Y. Serves as a community leader building collaborations based on trust and credibility to advance the Y’s mission and goals. Communicates for influence to attain buy-in and support of goals. Provides tools and resources for the development of others.

Operational Effectiveness: Integrates multiple thinking processes to make decisions. Involves staff at all levels in the development of programs and activities. Ensures execution of plans. Institutes sound accounting procedures and financial controls. Assigns clear accountability and ensures continuous improvement.

Personal Growth: Fosters a learning environment embracing diverse abilities and approaches. Creates a sense of urgency and positive tension to support change. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.

Behavioral Characteristics: Welcoming, Nurturing, Determined, Hopeful, and Genuine.

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Psychology, Sociology, Child Development or related field. Master’s degree is preferred.
• Must maintain a current motor vehicle license and acceptable driving record that meets YMCA standards.

Work Schedule

The full time work schedule for this position is generally Monday through Friday, 8:00am-6:00pm, though evenings, and weekends work may be required.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Frequent climbing, sitting, standing, pushing, walking, kneeling, and stooping
• Occasional exposure to the outdoor elements
• Occasional exposure to some chemical elements
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds

Resumes and cover letters are required