Director of the Rainbow's End Child Development Center

Salary: $53,808.00 - $71,292.00 Annually

Location: Carbondale, Illinois

Job Type: Administrative Professional

Job Number: 2600174

Department: Rainbow's End-SIUC

Closing Date: 5/26/2026 11:59 PM Central

FLSA: Exempt

FTE: 1.0

Description

The Director of the Rainbow's End Child Development Center leads a dynamic program serving over 130 children and 350+ families annually, directly contributing to student retention, persistence, and well-being. The Director provides strategic and operational leadership across staffing, curriculum, compliance, and fiscal management, overseeing a $1.4M+ operation while ensuring a safe, inclusive, and developmentally rich environment for every child.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

Examples of Duties

The position focus is carrying out established policies and procedures and the day-to-day management of Rainbow's End Child Development Center, its staff, budgets, programs, activities, and facilities.

• Preparation of annual programmatic, food, and grant budgets, long-term projections, student activity fee contributions, audit materials, and food program records;
• Develop, prepare, and submit grant applications; monitor awarded funds to ensure compliance with grant requirements, accurate reporting, and alignment with program goals and budgetary guidelines.
• Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate full-time and student staff; Develop weekly master schedule for staff; Conduct classroom observations to ensure compliance; monitor payroll and staff benefits.
• Provide leadership and oversight to ensure full regulatory compliance with Illinois Dept. of Children and Family Services (DCFS), including policy development, audit readiness, inspection coordination, staff training, and implementation of corrective action plans.
• Authorize security and licenser clearances; maintain appropriate child/staff ratios.
• Develop and implement policies related to the health and safety of the children, including medication, transportation, emergencies, illnesses, accidents/injuries, insurance, facility access/security and maintenance, etc.
• Supervise operation and maintenance of equipment and facilities; develop and implement appropriate access/security procedures; maintain inventory controls; plan and equip indoor and outdoor areas; purchase classroom/department equipment and supplies;arrange for custodial care, maintenance, repairs; schedule use of space.
• Develop and implement child development curricula, age appropriate activities, learning centered environments, appropriate research strategies, program evaluation models, and child development assessments.
• Provide oversight of the kitchen operations and staff, assist in training teaching staff in food service.
• Plan and order a monthly menu, which meets CACFP guidelines, completing associated monthly/annual reports; monitor allergies or special dietary need of children; prepare for local health department inspection, maintain appropriate food sanitation license; ensure all CACFP trainings, guidelines, and documentation are being met.
• Prepare all applicable applications and audit materials.
• Develop and implement health/safety training procedures and compliance records; Report the yearly records to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture).
• Recruit and orient Parent Board members; develop and implement parent education and involvement programs; supervise activities of Parent Board, convene meetings of and prepare agendas/proposals for Board; coordinate open house programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• A master's degree from an accredited school of social work or a master's degree in a human services field from an accredited school; and
• Three years work experience with children or youth, at least two of which were in institution or other residential group care programs, and at least an additional two years of administrative experience.

This is in accordance with Illinois Administrative Code, Title 89, Chapter III: Dept. of Children and Family Services, Subchapter e, Part 411, Subpart E, Section 411.425

Required Documentation: Submit a letter of application, CV, and three references.

Contact: Shari Garnett, [email protected]

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is an R1 Opportunity University with a statewide economic impact of $2.7 billion dollars. We offer 200+ undergraduate degrees, minors and specializations, 79 master's degrees, and 40 doctoral degrees. Our main campus is 1,136 acres, with additional acreage in University Farms, Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, and other facilities. The university is an essential part of the city of Carbondale and an important contributor to the culture of the entire region. While Carbondale includes many of the amenities of urban life, it retains its small-town flavor. Cost of living is considerably lower in the region than similar areas elsewhere, and many employees commute from nearby counties.

The Southern Illinois region is distinct from the rest of the state, boasting considerable natural beauty including the Shawnee National Forest, many state parks, national wildlife areas, and several lakes beloved for recreation. Local foods are readily available in the area, with a variety of eateries and a growing specialized food truck presence. The area is home to the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, an official wine appellation designation. The wineries extend the cultural reach of the community, hosting live music and continual art exhibits. The campus itself is a microcosm of the area, with a lake and forest on campus, as well as traditional collegiate architecture, quad, and residential halls. Students enjoy outdoor study areas as well as specialized computer labs scattered across campus, including in the three million volume Morris Library. To learn about employee benefits , employee tuition waivers , and find resources about Carbondale and the Southern Illinois region, visit: .

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer dedicated to building a community of excellence, equity, and diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran. The university will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders, and regulations.