The Head Start or Early Head Start Center Director provides supervision, and leadership with oversight responsibility for creating a culture of support, collaboration, and inclusion at their site. The Center Director sets the tone and empowers staff to take ownership of service delivery and they have an understanding of how to make the most of their staff's expertise.
Center Directors provide effective modeling and leadership. They work collaboratively with their Regional Program Manager, education managers, other departmental managers, and site staff to ensure effective operational and instructional practices. The center director coordinates with family services staff to ensure the empowerment and inclusion of all families enrolled at the site. They manage their time and tasks effectively to meet the needs of the agency.
Center Directors supports Child Start’s overall mission by fostering the creation of high-quality, responsive, respectful, and safe work environments. They ensure compliance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards and other applicable federal, state, and licensing requirements. Center Directors are expected to be physically present at the site. Center Directors provide coverage for absent staff.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (not intended as an all-inclusive summary):
The Center Director 2 serves as the lead and supervisor for a multi-classroom center in the Head Start Early Head Start, State Preschool, CCP, or CCTR or a combination thereof, supervising 8-14 staff with responsibilities including the following:
o Ensures a safe, healthy, and welcoming environment for clients and staff
o Oversees site staff, program requirements, daily operations, and compliance with Child Start policies and procedures, licensing, and Head Start Performance Standards
o Models staff-staff, child-teacher, staff-family interactions, professionalism, and Ethical practices
o Creates a culture of continuous learning and accountability
o Responsive to the needs of the whole child and family
o Cultivates an understanding of Child Start’s mission, and work to progress children in school readiness and increase family engagement
Implements data-informed instruction and decision-making
o Encourages staff collaboration, and high quality and supportive interactions between teacher-child, staff-family, and staff-staff
o Fosters Health, Wellness, Motivation, Engagement
o Guides Staff expectations, Shared goals, Reflective practices
o Supports empowerment, diversity, inclusion, and respect
o Organizes and facilitates ongoing (at minimum monthly) team meetings
o Creates opportunities for team members to feel united in reaching common goals
o Draws on strengths of team members
o Cultivates a culture of openness in information sharing
o Encourages team cooperation and participation
o Provides encouragement when constructive criticism is necessary
QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.
Education and Experience:
• AA degree in Early Childhood Education required /BA preferred
• 2 years previous experience teaching in an early childhood setting; experience with supervision, management or coaching preferred
• Experience managing an infant/toddler or preschool program
We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and healthy work place.