Assistant Director of Program Services

POSITION: Assistant Director of Program Services

JOB CODE: MAD2

OCCUPATIONAL GROUPING: Management

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

POSITION TYPE: Full Time/ Full Year (12-Months)

SALARY GRADE: 64

MONTHLY SALARY RANGE: $9,880.86 to $10,381.08

ANNUAL SALARY RANGE: $118,570.32 to $124,572.96

LOCATION: City of Industry, CA

PROGRAM SUMMARY

Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services, Inc. (Plaza) is a comprehensive early childhood education program with a focus on school readiness for children zero to five years of age. Developmentally appropriate services are provided for children from low-income families, zero to five years of age. Plaza de la Raza currently serves over 700 children and their families.

DEFINITION

Under general direction this position functions as a senior operating officer in the agency. This position provides oversight of health, nutrition and the implementation of family focused services and integrates the components with child focused services to provide comprehensive programming for children and their families, oversight for the program’s eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance functions. This position ensures that the planning and implementation of disabilities and mental health services are individualized for children and families with disabilities and mental health needs.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

General direction is provided by the Executive Director and will exercise supervision of the Integrated Services Program Manager, Mental Health & Inclusion Coordinator, Health Specialist LVN, Family Services Associates and Nutrition services.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assists the Executive Director with the design and implementation of Plaza de la Raza’s policies and procedures and the development of long-range goals and objectives.
• Assigns and/or delegates responsibility for specific work or functional activities and dissemination of policies and procedures to assigned supervisory personnel.
• Reviews, analyzes, and monitors reports, and data and confers with supervisory personnel to develop and implement activities of the department, status of work in progress, and challenges in meeting timelines and compliance.
• Supervises and provides oversight of the disabilities/mental health service areas, ensuring an integrated and comprehensive system for delivery services for children and their families.
• Ensures the on-going monitoring, tracking, follow-up and completion of health, disabilities, mental health, nutrition, and family services in compliance with Plaza de la Raza policies and procedures, Head Start Performance Standards grantee GIMS and all applicable state and local requirements.
• Oversight of the agency’s policies and procedures for collaborating with the local early intervention agencies or local education agency (LEA) and develops the disabilities plan which provides strategies for meeting the

special needs of children with disabilities and their families.

• May attend home visits, parent conferences and IEP/IFSP meetings when requested or as needed.
• In collaboration with the Family Services Supervisor develops the ERSEA written plan and policies and procedures.
• Develops and implements an effective system to ensure the agency meets at least 85% of mandated attendance as outlined in the Head Start Performance Standards.
• Reviews functions written plans and policies and procedures to develop training for program services in assigned areas.
• Conducts ongoing monitoring activities of program procedures to ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, Head Start Act, Funding Terms and Conditions, Child Care Licensing, grantee GIMS, contracts, and all applicable state, local and federal guidelines.
• Evaluates reports and data to ascertain that delivery of services meets compliance and develops a plan of action to correct non-compliant findings with established timelines to ensure correction.
• Prepares reports and documentation of departmental activities for management,
• Analyzes current practices policies, and systems to determine their effectiveness and efficiency and presents findings to the Executive Director and others as required.
• Supports the management team in research activities and reviews analysis of the Program Information Report (PIR) for ERSEA, Family Services, Disabilities/Mental Health, and Nutrition services.
• Tracks training and guidance to staff, parents, and community partners on a variety of topics in the areas of child development, parent/family/community engagement, disabilities/mental health, Health and Nutrition
• Analyzes and prepares information in areas of career development for field staff, site logistics, curriculum, and work rules.
• Completes and delivers written performance evaluations for supervised staff, including introductory, and annual performance appraisals.
• Tracks the completion of professional development plans for supervised staff in program services,
• Works with assigned person responsible for the development of the agency wide T&TA Plan to include staff training needs.
• Participates in the Community Assessment team for program development and improvement of service delivery for ERSEA and Family Development goals.
• Leads, participates, and contributes to the collection of information in assigned service areas to develop funding application.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge of:

The Assistant Director (AD) of Program Services is expected to bring specialized subject matter expertise to bear on program services, including but not limited to disabilities, mental health, health, nutrition, family and community partnership services, as well as demonstrate comprehensive administrative and leadership skills to ensure the smooth functioning of dynamic organizational structures inherent in the Head Start / Early Head Start programs. This position requires the knowledge of principles and practices of management of complex programs and operations; establishes operational strategies by evaluating trends; establishing critical measurements; productivity, quality; designing systems; accumulating resources; resolving problems; implementing change, demonstrating working knowledge of software systems; compiling data from the system to ensure the agency is in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, Head Start Act, Title 22, Funding Terms and Conditions, LACOE GIMs and contracts and all other applicable state, local and federal guidelines.

In addition, the AD of Program Services is expected to know about Office of Head Start Family and Community Partnership Framework, Community Care licensing regulations, data analysis, and developing effective relationships in the workplace, principals of supervision and staff development strategies.

Ability to:

Establish and maintain healthy learning environments, demonstrate respect for individuals and groups with varied cultural, racial, ethnic, religious, and linguistic identities and backgrounds. Communicate effectively in both oral and written formats. Foster and support the development of relationships between children and their families recognizing that the parent is the primary educator of their child, support the social/emotional, physical, and cognitive growth and development of all children in the program, provide individual and group training, assist parents of young children in advocating and decision making for their families.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Baccalaureate degree in Early Childhood Education, health education, health administration, maternal and child health, human development, social work or related field from an accredited 4-year college or university.

Experience:

Three years’ experience in management or direct services with young children and their families in health, or disabilities/mental health or family services.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

• Successful completion of an initial health examination, performed by or under the supervision of a physician, to determine, at a minimum, if the prospective employee can perform the requirements of the job description physical requirements.
• Proof of the absence of Tuberculosis, from a physician to that the prospective employee is clear to work with children and families.
• Documentation of current immunizations against influenza, Measles (MMR) and Pertussis (TDAP).

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Fingerprint clearances from the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), and the Child Abuse Index prior to starting employment.
• Completed and signed statement of any pending and or prior criminal arrests/charges/convictions related to child sexual abuse, child abuse and neglect, and/or violent felonies
• Must have verification that determines eligibility for employment in the United States of America
• As a mandated reporter of child abuse, must immediately report any suspected child abuse and/or neglect to Child Protective Services.
• A valid California driver’s license and the availability of private transportation or the ability to obtain transportation between job sites is required.
• Bi-lingual in a language reflective of the population served is preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met, or are encountered, by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit and climb or balance. The employee may frequently lift and/or move up to twenty-five pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

MAINTAIN PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL STANDARDS

• Maintains confidentiality in accordance with Agency policy and legal requirements.
• Respects and maintains rights and privacy of all staff, parents, and children.
• Attends mandated trainings and meetings and seek out staff development opportunities.
• Works as a team member with all staff and maintain a positive work ethic.
• Acts conscientiously in performing routine duties.

Adheres to Plaza de la Raza's Standard of Conduct which indicates that staff members are required to adhere to

the following codes of conduct:

1. Respect and promote the unique identity of each child and family and refrain from stereotyping on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, or disability.

2. Follow program confidentiality policies concerning information about children, families and other staff members.

3. Maintain visual observation of children at all times and not leave any child alone or unsupervised while under their care.

4. Use positive methods of child guidance and will not engage in corporal punishment, emotional or physical abuse, or humiliation.

5. Not employ methods of discipline that involve isolations, the used of food as punishment or reward, or the denial of basic needs.

6. Not solicit or accept personal gratuities, favors or anything of significant monetary value form contractors or potential contractors.

7. Maintain respect and promote professional relationships with the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), families, staff and children.

8. Refrain from the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of alcoholic beverage, controlled substance, and tobacco products in the workplace or at any activity funded by federal or state funds.

9. Maintain adherence to LACOE, state, or federal mandates, including but not limited to program eligibility determination regulations for Early Head Start, Head Start or state preschool services.

10. Enrolling pregnant women and children that are not eligible to receive Early Head Start or Head Start services.

BENEFIT PLANS

Plaza offers eligible employees the opportunity to select plans and programs that meet individual and family needs through our comprehensive benefit plans listed below:

Health Care Coverages: Medical, Dental, Vision, Employer Sponsored Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability

Voluntary Coverages: Accidental, Hospital and Life Insurance

Financial: 401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off: Vacation, Holiday, Sick Time, Bereavement Leave and up to 30 Days of Jury Duty

Work/Life Solutions: Employee Assistance Program

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Complete an online employment application on www.plazadelarazacds.org; and submit the required documentation: 1) Resume and 2) Transcripts reflecting degree and major awarded. Only complete application packets will be considered for the screening and selection process.

2. Submit official transcripts prior to date of hire.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services Inc. is an equal opportunity employer to all. Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population can learn, live, and work in an atmosphere of tolerance, civility, and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.