What are the responsibilities and job description for the Early Childhood Education Director position at Action Pathways, Inc.?
ACTION PATHWAYS, INC.
Early Childhood Education Director
Department: Head Start Administration
Job Status: Full Time
FLSA Status: Exempt
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer
Grade/Level: Grade 315
Amount of Travel Required: 30%
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday / Frequently requires weekend and evening work.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes
Salary Range: $90,000 - $95,000
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Early Childhood Education (Head Start/Early Head Start Director) is responsible for assuring all the Head Start/Early Head Start program mandates and standards for excellence are met daily. This position develops the structure, systems, and procedures to facilitate this. In addition to operating responsibility for the program's fiscal, legal, and programmatic aspects, it assures that the program is strategically positioned for the future. Ensures goals and objectives are accomplished within the prescribed timelines and funding parameters. Develops and executes fundraising and in-kind contribution plans, including grant writing, by performing the following duties personally or through subordinates. At the discretion of the Director of Early Childhood Education, with the approval of the CEO, some responsibilities may be delegated to subordinate staff.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Reasonable Accommodation Statement
To perform this job successfully, an individual must perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations.
Essential Functions Statement:
Level of Performance
The employee in this position must provide strong leadership for the personnel assigned to the program. Employee uses the authority of position to make independent decisions regarding program development and execution of program plans, human resource planning and development, and allocating financial resources as needed to achieve annual and strategic objectives. Incumbent is expected to closely assess program activities and staff performance, ensuring appropriate systems are in place, and that the program is in full compliance with employment laws, grant conditions and agency policies. Employee makes sound recommendations to CEO based on program performance, expenses, current or projected environmental and political circumstances, etc.
Employee implements and continuously practices within a sound framework of agency policies, compliances and quality improvement initiatives. The employee is responsible for obtaining sufficient funding through the award of grant dollars, donations, and in-kind. Monitors expenses to ensure program costs remain reasonable and within approved budget. Adjusts spending as needed or proposes revisions to budget to accommodate accelerated spending, reduced income and budget management issues. Employee is expected to plan, organize and supervise development of strategic and annual goals. Work is customer oriented. Employee must actively support agency goal in operating programs of excellence. Active and full participation on the Senior Leadership Team is anticipated.
It assures compliance with all funding source mandates and all applicable laws and regulations and ensures that standards exceeding the minimum are being met.
- Provides guidance and leadership to staff to emphasize the importance of the program achieving high quality standards, internally and through public and private sector partnerships.
- Reviews and analyzes monthly financial and statistical reports to assess the budget status and to initiate preventative measures if any problems appear to be predicated.
- Oversees and monitors agreements for the purchasing of goods and services assures that bids are solicited in accordance with state and federal regulations.
- In conjunction with the management team, assures that the program serves the number of eligible children for which it is funded.
- Reads management and leadership materials and program-related materials to keep abreast of developments in comprehensive early childhood programs.
- Works with other organizations in the community to foster collaboration as defined by federal Head Start.
- In conjunction with the Board of Directors, staff and Policy Council, leads planning meetings in which long and short-term goals for improvement are established.
- Conducts a complete Community Assessment every three years and an update during the intervening years.
- With input from program participants and the staff, develop a yearly funding application for early education grants.
- In conjunction with the Policy Council, Board of Directors, and Agency Advancement, it seeks additional outside funding for the program, meeting the non-federal share requirement.
- Facilitates the continuing professional development of all staff as part of the commitment to excellence.
- Maintains effective, appropriate communication with the CEO, Policy Council and Board of Directors, including:
- Attending all regular and special meetings and committee meetings
- Providing a written report to the board of the fiscal and programmatic status of the program and of the administrative activities since the last meeting, monitoring results, and strategies to resolve problems
- Communication of relevant information from the funding sources
- Provide training for new Board members and Periodic refresher for veteran Board members on their roles and responsibilities.
- Monitors the implementation of the responsibilities of employees through observation, monthly supervisory meetings, team meetings, and review of files and documentation.
- Assumes an active role in the annual program self-assessment.
- Assures remediation of any non-compliances found in delegate or grantee assessments and incorporates recommendations into planning for program improvement.
- Provides and/or secures training and technical assistance for all staff.
- Maintains a close working relationship with the Chief Financial Officer and Financial Analyst(s), who provide the Director with information for budget writing and the status of the budget to facilitate effective oversight of expenditures.
- Hears and resolves community complaints about the program, seeking input from staff, parents, the CEO, the Policy Council, or the Board as needed.
- Carries out the function delineated in procedures for staff grievances.
- Hires, and if necessary, fires staff, complying with applicable laws, regulations, Agency Personnel Policies and Procedure assures Policy Council input into the hiring and/or firing of staff prior to seeking their approval for the personnel action.
- Completes and submits regular reports to the funding sources, CEO, the Board of Directors, and the Policy Council.
- Monitors the program's administrative cost, assuring it does not exceed the allowed amount.
- Monitors the program's non-federal share to assure that the amount required is met. Meets with staff, parents, and the Policy Council to develop strategies for increasing the amount of the program's accumulated non-federal share, if necessary.
- Maintains open lines of communication with the grantee personnel.
- Negotiates final contracts for space and equipment, seeking to secure the lowest rate possible.
- In consultation with the management team and Facilities Manager ensure that facilities, classrooms and playgrounds are maintained and appropriately equipped.
- Other related duties as assigned
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by a person in this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed in such a position.
Supervisory Responsibilities
The position is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the Head Start and Early Head Start Programs. The director carries out supervisory and leadership responsibilities per Action Pathways' policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing employee complaints and resolving problems; interviewing, selecting, and recommending for hire, separation, promotion, and change in status all employees.
Disclaimer
The duties and responsibilities herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of a person in this position. The CEO may assign related duties.
SKILLS & ABILITIES
Education: Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Education Administration, Social Work, or related field required.
Experience: Ten years of management experience in an early childhood education environment. Experience in staff supervision, fiscal management, and administration is required. Head Start/Early Head Start management experience is required. Teaching experience is a plus.
Employee must have extensive experience in North Carolina Child Care Licensing Regulations, Head Start Regulations, and Performance Standards.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Computer Skills
The position requires knowledge of Internet software, preparation of Excel spreadsheets, and extensive word processing skills. The employee must be able to learn program-specific ChildPlus software within 90 days of employment, including retrieving data for review and preparing reports.
Certificates & Licenses
The employee is responsible for obtaining and keeping current all certifications, licenses, health cards, etc., at all times.
Employee must have a valid driver's license and own transportation.
The employee must have an annual physical examination and TB test indicating negative results or free from TB.
Other Requirements
Employee must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, able to effectively communicate with a diverse group in both oral and written form.
Leadership and management skills must be suitable for overseeing the staff and operations of a comprehensive quality child and family service program.
Employee must have a working knowledge of public and private organizations, funding sources, and government regulations.
This position requires a clear and complete understanding of the Head Start philosophy and the ability to implement its principle of shared authority and decision-making.
Employee must be able to travel to attend important meetings in the county, state and region.
STANDARDS OF CONDUCT
Employee must recognize and be sensitive to the cultural, ethnic, and social diversity among the population served and the community at large.
Employee must maintain strict confidentiality.
Individual must be tactful and courteous when representing the agency with the general public.
Employee must be committed to continuous quality and performance improvement.
The employee is expected to become familiar with program policies that affect the areas of operation under the control of this position and to implement such policies in a manner that ensures best practices are used.
AT-WILL STATEMENT
This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. Action Pathways, Inc. is an “at-will” employer. Either the employee or Action Pathways, Inc. may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause.
SAFETY POLICIES AND PRACTICES
The employee must be knowledgeable about and follow the agency’s safety policies and procedures as described throughout agency written program plans, standard operating procedures, and personnel policies.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
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 use hands and fingers to operate computers and other office machines; and to talk with or listen to a variety of people.
Physical Demands
Stand O (Occasionally)
Walk O (Occasionally)
Sit F (Frequently)
Handling / Fingering F (Frequently)
N (Not Applicable)
Activity is not applicable to this occupation.
O (Occasionally)
Occupation requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0 - 2.5 hrs/day)
F (Frequently)
Occupation requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5 - 5.5 hrs/day)
C (Constantly)
Occupation requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5 hrs/day)
Other Physical Requirements
Vision (Near, Color)
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Work is generally in a moderate office environment. The noise level may be elevated on visits to Head Start Centers and when making presentations in other locales.
Action Pathways, Inc. has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment. Action Pathways, Inc. reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform as the agency may deem appropriate.
Salary : $90,000 - $95,000
