Head Start/Early Head Start Director

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

The Head Start/Early Head Start Program Director coordinates all functions of the program(s), provides leadership, supervises, works with the Executive Director in planning, designing, implementing and evaluating program systems and in representing the agency in local, regional, state and national communities. The Head Start/Early Head Start Program Director is responsible for assuring that all program mandates and regulations are met on a daily basis. This position develops the structure, systems and procedures that align with the mandates and regulations, and ensures that policies are carried out throughout the program. In addition to operational functions, the Director stays abreast of fiscal, legal, and programmatic aspects of the program(s), and bears the responsibility of assuring that the program is strategically positioned for the future.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Miscellaneous Job Responsibilities (10%)

• Participate in weekly Executive Committee planning meetings.
• Design and deliver training in areas of expertise.
• Interact with members of the Governance Board and Policy Council.
• Attend meetings as needed.
• Attend other agency planning meetings as required.
• Regular formal presentations to parents, staff, Board of Directors and community groups to provide information and ensure collaboration and promote advocacy.
• Perform other duties as requested.

Supervision (35%)

• Hire, mentor, coach, and evaluate the performance of the Head Start/Early Head Start managers.
• Encourage and support professional development opportunities.
• Facilitate resolution of conflicts within the Head Start/Early Head Start program.
• Promote a consistent exchange of information in all directions.
• Promote training that meets team and individual needs.

Systems Evaluation and Development (25%)

• Participate in the design and updates of Head Start/Early Head Start internal structures, systems and policies.
• Ensure adequate systems in place to maintain highest quality of Head Start/Early Head Start services to children and families in compliance with Head Start/Early Head Start Performance Standards.
• Ensure consistency in Head Start/Early Head Start service delivery with attention to inclusive practices and integration of component areas; encourage continuous improvement of systems.
• Ensure coordination among components, across levels and within the organization.
• Participate in the development of Head Start/Early Head Start program and agreements and contracts.
• Prepare annual Program Information Report (PIR) as it relates to Head Start/Early Head Start.
• Prepare Head Start/Early Head Start monthly reports for Governance Board and Policy Council.

Public Relations (25%)

• Establish and maintain relationships and collaborations with public schools, systems of higher education, and other community agencies and partners.
• Attend interagency organizational and planning meetings as appropriate.

Facility Development, Budgets, and Grants (10%)

• Participate in the development of collaborations and facility development for future expansion of families and/or services.
• Ensure leadership in the development of the Head Start/Early Head Start Program budgets.
• Research, investigate potential grant opportunities.
• Assist with preparation of annual federal and other grants.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, and individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience:

Master Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Early Elementary Education or equivalent and a minimum of five years professional leadership/management and supervisory experience preferably in educational setting with at least three years preschool management experience. Must possess strong time management and organizational skills and an understanding of Head Start/Early Head Start philosophy and the ability to implement its principle of shared authority and decision-making. Experience in human services program management, including program planning, operations and evaluation, and the use of management information systems required. Candidate should have leadership ability, good interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work as part of a team. Proficient computer skills required. Candidate should have leadership ability, good interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work as part of a team. Proficient computer skills required. Must meet all qualifications below:

• Ability to determine and prioritize demanding workload while being flexible to emergent unplanned needs and situations.
• Ability to work with individuals with different backgrounds and cultures.
• Significant decision making and problem solving in many areas including the allocation of resources to program components, supervisory issues, scheduling and provision of program services.
• Ability to handle highly stressful and sensitive situations in a professional manner.
• Ability to interpret and implement complex policies and regulations.
• Ability to work independently and maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Ability to exercise tact and discretion in all employee interactions.
• Frequent sitting for long periods using computer keyboard, telephone and other office machines.
• Strong organization and time management skills, ability to meet tight deadlines.

Regular access to reliable vehicle and vehicle insurance. This position may include periodic transportation of program participants. Ability to work a flexible schedule including some evenings and/or weekends. Ability to pass a health examination and criminal background check. Ability to work effectively with minimal daily guidance. Knowledge of community resources. Successful experience working in a team setting. Ability to present a positive image of the organization to members of the community. Visual and auditory acuity within professionally determined normal ranges, with correction if needed. Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer and other office equipment, including, but not limited to, the telephone, fax machine, copier, and tape recorder. Must be able to travel, enter and exit a vehicle without assistance.

Language Skills:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of young children, parents, staff and community members.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Professional Ethics:

• Promote and model professional and ethical behavior as described in the "Code of Ethical Conduct" published by NAEYC, both on the job and when otherwise representing Fort Valley State University Head Start/Early Head Start.
• Be honest, reliable, and dependable.
• Act conscientiously in performing routines
• Respect and maintain privacy and confidentiality of parents, children, and staff.
• Work as a team member developing a system of support for all staff.
• Practice timelines and courtesy with staff and community members.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. The employee must be able to occasionally lift 20 pounds overhead and 40 pounds from waist to shoulder. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate

Current Openings for Head Start/Early Head Start Director Jobs at Fort Valley State University

Location	Closing Date	Employment Type

Get Notified of New Jobs at Fort Valley State University