Director of Head Start and GSRP

Description

Scope: Responsible for the development and management of Head Start/GSRP programming at multiple sites to promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of low-income children through the provision, to low-income children and their families, of health, educational, nutritional, social, and other services that are determined, based on family needs assessments, to be necessary.

Essential Functions:

• Design and manage a comprehensive Head Start and program curriculum based on federal and state regulations and guidance and responding to the needs of children and their parents for learning and personal growth in a structured and positive environment during school-year and full-year programming.
• Provide administrative oversight for the program at multiple sites to include but not be limited to issues involving site selection and maintenance, supply and food procurement, staffing, and equipment usage.

• Design and manage early childhood development and health services to assist children prepare for kindergarten through group learning and individual activities appropriate for individual learning needs and styles.  Identify and secure materials required for carrying out these activities; identify the need for educational assistance for program participants beyond the scope of the program; access services to support the program through schools and other community education and health agencies; and participate in meetings with parents and school officials to ensure that services provided meet the developmental needs of each child.

• Act as liaison between Head Start/GSRP and other Wayne Metro services to create a seamless, integrated support network for families.

• Collaborate with internal departments to identify and address the multifaceted needs of early childhood families and ensure they have access to comprehensive resources    
• Collaborate with community partners including schools, public and private agencies, and other community members to provide the highest level of services to children and families, to foster the development of a continuum of family-centered services, and to advocate for a community that shares responsibility for the healthy development of children and families of all cultures.   Utilize services offered by Wayne County and community-based agencies to ensure      that screenings are appropriate and linked to any necessary follow-up services.
• Jointly develop, with agency fiscal and development staff, program budgets in accordance with grantee and agency guidelines.  Implement programming in concert with the budget and monitor any need for budget or spending modifications.
• Provide for the involvement of family members in the development of each child through their active participation in all aspects of the program including planning, implementation, and evaluation with the goal of providing a support network for parents, involving parents more fully in the lives of their children, and creating opportunities for shared learning between parents and their children.  Encourage and facilitate the participation of parents on the Policy Committee and Council.
• Develop and implement a process through which staff and parents can identify family goals, strengths, and necessary services and other supports.
• Design and implement a means through which volunteers can strengthen the program and the skills of the volunteers.  Encourage low-income members of the communities, including parents, to regularly volunteer in program design, implementation, and administration.
• Facilitate regular meetings of the Policy Committee and its role as a policy-making entity as required by federal guidelines. 
• Ensure the Head Start activities are linked closely with other child care and preschool programs including the Michigan School Readiness Program, the Child Care Coordinating Council, and privately-managed child care organizations.  Assist in the development of childcare alternatives necessary to meet the needs of Head Start families.
• Provide day-to-day supervision and direction to assigned staff including but not limited to: conferring with staff on children and counseling staff upon their selected approaches with difficult situations; serving as a liaison to program consultants and volunteers; evaluating staff performance; evaluating staff development needs and aiding in determining appropriate training or coaching; and resolving staff conflicts.
• Ensure for the continuing evolution of the program and its ability to meet the needs of its children and families through annual community assessments, inclusive planning, and continuous self-assessments and monitoring.
• Participate in meetings with the grantee, agency administration, and project partners related to program design, program implementation, and program evaluation in the interest of insuring the program is meetings its goals and objectives.  Serve as a liaison between the project partners and the agency regarding program implementation and monitoring.
• Serve as an advocate for children in the community through means which may include but not be limited to membership in an advocacy group, participation in a professional organization, and efforts to affect present community services and support for those services in a manner which would insure their greater availability and effectiveness.  Act as an advocate for agency clients attempting to secure services or assistance from other agencies.
• Maintain all records in a manner consistent with federal guidelines and Wayne-Metro policies and procedures.  Compile data from such records in the preparation of reports as requested by program management, the grantee, and government entities.
• Manage, in partnership with grants staff, the development and implementation of contracts and grants to include program goals, service methods, staffing patterns, implementation design, periodic reviews of activities and progress towards goals, modification of program plans, expenditure of grant funds, reporting to funding sources, and evaluation of activities.
• Represent the agency in partnership with grants staff to those conducting monitoring or audit reviews.  Prepare materials required for such visits, address issues arising from visits, and submit follow-up materials to the monitors/auditors as necessary.
• Maintain a positive attitude towards assigned work, clients, and staff, and a willingness to work with others.
• Perform work in a manner that upholds Wayne-Metro policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

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. This job

operates in a professional office environment with a usually quiet noise level. This is

largely a sedentary role and the employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to

25 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required

to sit, frequently use hands and to talk or hear. 

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher, in child development, child psychology or early childhood education. A minimum of seven years experience in Head Start, Education, Social Work, and/or child development or a combination of education and experience that is similarly appropriate.
• Knowledge of and ability to implement best practice techniques in early childhood development.
• Experience and strong abilities in human services program management including program planning, operations, budgeting, and evaluation, and the use of management information systems.
• Ability to understand and implement federal, state, and grantee regulations, policies, and procedures for Head Start and other childcare programs.
• An understanding of 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.
• The ability to develop and manage a budget.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work as part of a team, communicate effectively both orally and in writing, receive and provide feedback, and manage dynamic interchanges in meetings.
• Ability to identify, contact and develop collaborative relationships with area providers of family services, nutrition, health, mental health, and education in both the public and private sectors in the interest of providing comprehensive and effective services to children and their families.
• Strong ability to communicate effectively both orally and in written form.
• Ability to empathize and communicate with those persons facing economic, social, health, age, and educational barriers.
• Ability to provide direction to staff and facilitate personal development in the interest of achieving program goals.
• Good interpersonal and professional skills including but not limited to professional appearance, tact, punctuality, and dependability.
• Ability to work independently

Minimum Competencies:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Applications (Word, Excel, Power Point) required. 
• Working knowledge of basic internet applications and programs including Google technology. The ability to learn and utilize the necessary programs for this position.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in written form.
• Good interpersonal and professional skills including but not limited to professional appearance, tact, punctuality, and dependability. 
• Ability to provide services for those persons facing economic, social, health, age, and educational barriers.
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment (as deemed necessary).
• Perform work in a manner that upholds Wayne Metro policies and procedures.

Licensing and Other Requirements:

• Valid identification and reliable transportation.
• Although the Covid-19 vaccination is no longer mandated, it is encouraged. Wayne Metro will always prioritize the safety of our staff and clients.

Travel Requirements:

• Ability to travel to various sites.

Work Hours:  Work to be scheduled Monday through Friday with specific hours to be determined by program needs. 

Other Duties

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency is an Equal Opportunity Employer - EOE/M/F/D/V