The position is responsible for the general and day-to-day operations of a Head Start/Early Head Start center or cluster of outlying centers. The Center Director is responsible for providing coverage to multiple classrooms, assuring regulatory and legal compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, communicating with parents and the community, supervising and monitoring of all staff assigned to the center(s). The Center Director may be re-assigned to various centers as deemed necessary for program operations.
As a front line representative of Save the Children, the Center Director is required to ensure the safety and security of children and families that he/she comes in contact with adhering to the agency’s values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity, and Integrity.
As a Save the Children employee who will come into contact with children on a routine basis, the position is expected to prevent child abuse in every situation by striving, through mental awareness, good practice and training to minimize risk to children. The position must take positive steps to protect children who may be a subject of concern and report, respond to any instance of child abuse, and promote training and awareness around all child-safeguarding obligations.
- Supervise and coach staff; facilitate resolution of conflicts; encourage and support professional development opportunities; develop and monitor center and staff schedules.
- Conduct regular staff meetings, support staff training, and monitor/provide ongoing feedback for performance improvement and appraisals.
- Work with all center staff to ensure quality teaching and learning environments and work mangers/specialists/coordinators to ensure content implementation in all areas.
- Track and monitor staff attendance, including verification of timesheets as well as employee on-sited record keeping.
- Assist in the identification, purchase and annual inventory of center supplies and equipment.
- Arrange for family and staff workdays for center improvement, fairs and other events. Work with Family Service Coordinators, center staff and families to plan and implement all center parent meetings.
- Work with the managers/specialists/coordinators to ensure that all tracking and data entry related to ERSEA (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment and Attendance), health, education, mental health, disabilities and child and family needs is maintained as well as full attendance with a 72-hour turn around to fill vacancies.
- Perform systems evaluation and development and ensure adequate systems are in place to maintain highest quality of service to children and families in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and state licensing requirements and ensure consistency in service delivery across programs.
- Work with the Family Support Coordinator to ensure that all family goal setting, services and supports are developed, supported and delivered as necessary.
- Responsible for monthly reports, safety checks, annual safety inspections and completion of licensing requirements.
- Ensure the reporting of all child, staff, family and other center related incidents.
- Maintain up to date CPR and First Aid certifications.
- Monitor and support child, family, providers and vendor interactions on the facility premise.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
- Preferred baccalaureate degree in early childhood education, child development, a human service degree or related field and experience in working with children.
- Two year’s work experience in a position the directly relates to the implementation and monitoring of program operations.
- Previous Head Start/Early Head Start experience preferred.
- Knowledge of program planning and practices in infant/toddler and preschool center-based programs through knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards and best practices related to early childhood education.
- Knowledge of general business practices including supervision, inventory control and risk management.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, children, and outside agencies.
- Ability to oversee and operate the day-to-day program in compliance with all local, state and federal regulations.
- Ability to communicate effectively with staff and families.
- Good time management, organizational and problem solving skills.
- Ability to perform medium to heavy physical work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently and up to 5-10 pounds constantly, performing such activities as sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping.
- This also includes some duties that require repetitive action and motion skills, keyboarding and computer use.Clear criminal records check (including child abuse registry check if required by state regulations) and pass all state and local health requirements required post job offer and prior to employment.
- To drive agency vehicles (if applicable), must have a valid driver’s license and be insurable by the Save the Children Head Start insurance carrier and have a Motor Vehicle Record acceptable to Save the Children Head Start. Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.