Substitute Director of Operations (Short-Term)

Position: Substitute Director of Operations

Hours: 20 hours per week

Compensation: $21/hour

Timeline: Beginning of August through the end of October 2026 (Paid training provided in July)

Location: Finger Lakes Toy Library, The Shops at Ithaca Mall (40 Catherwood Rd, Unit D07, Ithaca, NY 14850)

About the Finger Lakes Toy Library (FLTL)

FLTL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2016, which opened its doors in June 2017. FLTL operates a community toy lending library, currently lending over 1800 toys to over 450 member families, and offering playtime programming with diverse partner organizations throughout the community. FLTL is located at The Shops at Ithaca Mall, 40 Catherwood Rd Unit D07, Ithaca, NY 14850.

The mission of the Finger Lakes Toy Library is to improve quality of life by increasing access to toys, supporting play, and encouraging a culture of reuse and sharing.

Equity is important to us, and so FLTL offers membership by donation, using a pay-what-you-can-honestly-afford membership model with no minimum, so that all members of the community can play regardless of ability to donate. FLTL is currently funded 100% by donations and grants and is operated by a staff of mostly volunteers.

Position Overview

FLTL is seeking a reliable, community-minded substitute Director of Operations to manage our daily operations and outreach programming during a temporary, three-month vacancy. This role is ideal for a proactive leader who enjoys working with volunteers and is passionate about supporting local families.

Responsibilities

• Ensuring open hours and playtimes remain staffed by volunteers and/or by oneself. Open hours are 10 am-5 pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and 1-6 pm on Friday, Saturday and Monday.
• Recruiting, training, and managing volunteers, staff, and work study students.
• Managing the toy collection, including overseeing incoming donations, repairs, and replacement parts in accordance with FLTL standards and values.
• Stewarding relationships with sponsors, partner organizations, and within the local community in general, including through social media and email.
• Communicating with members, including through our website, online lending system, social media, and monthly newsletter.
• Preparing reserved loans for pick up or ensuring that volunteers do.
• Regularly communicating with the FLTL board, including attending both regular board meetings and meetings with the board president over Zoom.
• Organizing and managing playtime programming and events.
• Assisting with fundraising, grant applications, and sponsor recognition.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to initiate and deliver projects, events, and/or programming.
• Organized and able to manage many different tasks simultaneously.
• Strong interest in children, play, toys, sustainability, and nonprofit organizations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Leadership experience, preferably with volunteers, and a willingness to lead our team with compassion while utilizing volunteer strengths and scaffolding developing skills.
• Resourceful and willing to develop new knowledge and skills.

Desired Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience working with non-profit organizations, children, and/or families.
• 2+ years of experience with fundraising or community development.
• 1+ years of experience with collections or inventory management.

Our Commitment to Equity & Inclusion

If you are interested in this role, we strongly encourage you to apply—even if you do not meet every single listed qualification. We value diverse pathways of experience and recognize that skills can be gained through internships, volunteer work, lived experience, and community involvement beyond paid positions. Candidates from underrepresented and historically marginalized backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply.

The Finger Lakes Toy Library provides resources, services, and employment opportunities without discrimination regarding socioeconomic status, race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation or identity, age, ability, marital status, military/veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, and local law.

How to Apply

Please email your cover letter and resume/CV to Caroline Hyneman, Director of Operations, at caroline@fingerlakestoylibrary.org.

We are looking to fill this position quickly and will review applications on a rolling basis. To learn more about our organization, please visit www.fingerlakestoylibrary.org.

Pay: $21.00 per hour

Work Location: In person