The Mission of the Del Norte Child Care Council (DNCCC) is to promote and encourage the healthy growth, education, care, and development of children through increased community and family awareness of children’s needs.

Supporting services for Del Norte County by bringing families and professional resources in, child care subsidy, family child care referrals, the food program for family child care providers, toy lending library, school readiness, child abuse prevention, car seat lending, child care centers for preschool, after school care, and more.

Key responsibilities

Partnership with the Board

• Give the Board clear, timely, and accurate information so it can make good decisions.

• Prepare monthly reports and work with the Board Chair on meeting agendas.

• Bring policy recommendations, risks, and options to the Board.

• Help recruit and orient new Board members.

Financial stewardship

• Lead budget planning with the Fiscal/Operations lead and program directors.

• Present a proposed annual budget and monthly financial reports to the Board.

• Keep strong internal controls, including separation of duties for approving, recording, and paying expenses.

• Sign contracts and agreements within the limits the Board sets.

• Pursue grants and other funding that fit DNCCC's mission.

Programs and compliance

• Oversee all programs through the program directors.

• Make sure DNCCC meets the terms of its state, federal, and local contracts, including CDSS and CACFP.

• Use data and family feedback to improve services.

People and culture

• Hire, support, and evaluate program directors and staff.

• Keep personnel policies current and fair.

• Build a workplace where staff can do good work without burning out.

Community and partnerships

• Serve as DNCCC's main spokesperson.

• Build relationships with Tribal nations, schools, county agencies, employers, and other nonprofits.

• Speak up for child care needs in Del Norte County and the North Coast region.

Qualifications

No college degree is required. We will consider all relevant experience, whether it was gained on the job, in the community, through training, or in school.

What you need

• At least 3 years of experience leading a program, team, or organization, in a paid or volunteer role.

• Experience supervising staff.

• Experience building or managing a budget, or managing grant or contract funds.

• Clear writing and speaking, including presenting to a board or the public.

• Good judgment, honesty, and steady leadership under pressure.

• Comfort with everyday computer tools (email, word processing, spreadsheets).

What would help

• Experience in a nonprofit, Tribal program, public agency, or child care setting.

• Knowledge of early childhood education or California child care programs.

• Experience with state or federal contracts and compliance.

• Fundraising or grant writing experience.

• Ability to speak Spanish.

• Experience working with Tribal communities and rural families.

• Lived experience as a parent, child care provider, or family that has used child care services.

• Salary of $70,000 per year, based on experience.

• Flexible scheduling where program needs allow.

• A structured onboarding plan, with a Board mentor and outside peer support during your first six months.

• Paid professional development and membership in statewide child care networks.

• A close-knit team and a chance to make a visible difference in a small community.

• Life on the Redwood Coast: ocean, rivers, and redwood forests, with a lower cost of living than most of California.

Working conditions and hiring requirements

Working conditions

• Mostly office work in Crescent City, with regular local travel to meetings, sites, and community events.

• Occasional regional travel and some evening or weekend events.

• Occasionally lift up to 25 pounds (for example, car seats, event supplies, or program materials).

• Reasonable accommodations are available to help a person with a disability do the job.

After a job offer

These steps happen only after a conditional job offer:

• Criminal background clearance (fingerprinting through the California Department of Justice).

• Child Abuse Central Index check.

• Health screening as required for child care programs.

• A valid driver's license and proof of auto insurance, or another reliable way to travel for work.

We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, in line with the California Fair Chance Act. Some convictions may prevent clearance under state child care law. We will review each case individually.

Our commitment and how to apply

DNCCC is an equal opportunity employer. We serve families of many backgrounds, and we want our leadership to reflect them. We strongly encourage people from Tribal communities, Latino communities, Hmong and Del Norte County to apply, along with parents, child care providers, and anyone who has used child care services.

If you meet most, but not all, of the qualifications, please apply anyway.

To apply, include a resume (or a short summary of your experience) and a letter about why you want this role. Applications will be reviewed starting 12/1/2026.

Questions? Contact [email protected].