| Company Name: | Chippewa Nature Center |
| Phone: | 9896310830 |
| Email: | jhockstra@chippewanaturecenter.org |
| Address 1: | 400 S Badour Rd |
| Address 2: | |
| City: | Midland |
| State: | MI |
| Zip: | 48640 |
| Position Title: | Nature Preschool Director |
| Number of Openings: | 1 |
| Position Type: | Other |
| Position Type Other Description: | Administrative |
| Start Date: | 08/03/2026 |
| Duties: | Duties & Responsibilities
1. Develop, implement and evaluate Nature Preschool policies and practices in collaboration with the Director of Programs to ensure Preschool remains a high-quality, nature-based early childhood program that utilizes best practices
2. Hire, train and supervise Nature Preschool staff, ensuring alignment with licensing and CNC requirements
3. Coordinate required staff training and provide site-specific training to ensure use of best practices across the program
4. Ensure compliance with all licensing and program requirements, including Great Start to Readiness and other grant-based programs
5. Support teachers, volunteers, interns, families and students through daily, weekly and monthly communication and regular presence
6. Develop and submit annual budget in collaboration with the Director of Programs
7. Work with the Department of Land and Facilities to provide safe and appropriate indoor and outdoor spaces for Preschool
8. Support early childhood programs at Nature Day Camp during the summer season in collaboration with the Nature Day Camp Director
9. Participate in CNC staff meetings, training, special events and other functions as appropriate
Visit www.chippewanaturecenter.org/employment for full details |
| Experience Required: | Required Qualifications
1. Bachelor’s degree or higher in early childhood education or child development with administrative coursework and experience or other credentials as outlined as acceptable qualifications for Early Childhood Program Directors in the Michigan Childcare Licensing regulations
2. Knowledge of early childhood education best practices and experience implementing them
3. Experience with online registration, assessment and communication platforms
4. Effective verbal and written communication skills
5. Experience teaching outdoors and/or an early childhood setting
6. Experience supervising staff and/or volunteers
7. Demonstrate flexibility, strong ethics and a commitment to serving all people
8. Enthusiastically support CNC’s mission and role in the community
9. Be at least 21 years of age
10. Ability to work outdoors in all weather, lift up to 50 lbs., hike on uneven terrain and sit for periods of time
11. Certification in infant, child and adult CPR and AED or ability to become certified
Preferred Qualifications
1. Master’s degree in relevant field
2. Experience in an administrative role in an early childhood setting
3. Experience in the administration of the Great Start to Readiness Program (GSRP)
4. Experience or certification in Conscious Discipline®
5. Experience with HighScope® curriculum |
| Wage or Salary: | 47000 |
| Per Year |
| Approximate Work Hours or Days: | 40 |
| Hours |
| How to apply: | Application procedure: Send cover letter and resume to Jenn Kirts, Director of Programs at jkirts@chippewanaturecenter.org or 400 S Badour Road, Midland, MI 48640 |
| Posting End Date: | 07/06/2026 |