Center Director

Center Director - Head Start

This position is responsible for the general day-to-day operations of a facility or a group of centers. Other duties include but are not limited to, covering multiple classrooms, assuring regulatory and legal compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations as well as the Head Start Standards, as well as supervising and monitoring all staff assigned to designated centers. This position may be reassigned to various centers as necessary for program operations.

Supervision

• Ensure the daily operations of the childcare facility are in alignment with the Office of Head Start Program Performance Standards, NC Division of Child Development and Early Education rules and regulations, and the Action Pathways governing bodies requirements as it pertains to the health, safety, welfare, and educational needs of the children enrolled in the Head Start programs.
• Supervise, support, role model for, and evaluate classroom staff at the center.
• Work with central administrative staff to promptly fill classroom vacancies and provide ongoing orientation to new staff, particularly in Head Start Performance Standards, licensing regulations, and general philosophies of the Head Start/Early Head Start program.
• Promote a consistent exchange of information across the agency.
• Encourage and support professional development opportunities.
• Conduct probationary and annual performance evaluations based on quantifiable and objective criteria, utilizing agency forms and checklists designed for evaluations.
• Arrange and facilitate regular meetings with staff and provide for mandated training and updates to policies and procedures.
• Ensure all center activities are in full compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and State Licensing requirements. Immediately report and work to remediate any situation where any activity or condition does not meet standards.
• Monitor, report and provide feedback for all employee-related accidents.
• Monitor, evaluate and provide training of classroom volunteers.

Program Coordination

• Provide staff development opportunities through center meetings and training, as well as identifying additional training needs.
• Develops and monitors center and staff schedules.
• Ensure the center(s) are safe and clean at all times. Make the supervisor immediately aware of any maintenance or safety issues and submit maintenance requests immediately upon identification of need. Maintain documentation of requests.
• Maintains and monitors filing and tracking systems and documentation for their site(s).
• Coordinates with Head Start service area coordinators to ensure children and families receive integrated services. Follows up on children having or suspected of having learning disabilities, developmental delays, behavioral disorders or physical disabilities. Participates in the development of an IEP or IFSP.
• Confers with teaching staff to plan and implement a curriculum designed to meet the needs of Head Start children and families. Monitors classrooms to observe the effectiveness of instructional methods and materials. Evaluates teaching techniques and recommend changes for improvement. Evaluates performance of all assigned staff. Rewards and disciplines as needed.
• Provides orientation for new staff. Ensures staff attend scheduled ongoing training, internally and externally, to maintain certification and to gain skills in working with preschool-aged children or infants and toddlers. Assists staff in setting and obtaining career goals. Assists in providing pre-service and in-service training to teaching staff.
• Ensures classrooms have developmentally appropriate instructional materials and teaching aids designed to stimulate learning, promote development and literacy. Provides teachers with supplies, equipment, and visual or other instructional aids. Confers with teaching staff regarding children's behavioral or learning problems and recommends methods of modifying inappropriate behavior and encouraging learning experiences.
• Ensures required adult/child ratio is maintained at all times. Recruit, train, assign and evaluate classroom substitutes to maintain adult/child ratio. May perform classroom teaching duties to meet ratio requirements.
• Monitors and evaluates classroom activities to ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, state and local regulations; monitors progress toward objectives and child outcomes; reviews files. Prepares reports as directed for Child Service Manager.
• Reviews and evaluates facility activities to ensure conformance to state and local regulations. Requisitions repairs or replacements as needed to remain in compliance.
• Performs as an Early Literacy Mentor to assigned Head Start Teachers. Activities include but are not limited to:
• Conduct monthly classroom visits with teachers to evaluate progress and provide support and advice.
• Prepare individualized early literacy plan with each teacher according to needs assessment.
• Develop and maintain progress reports on each teacher toward established goals.
• Report monthly on status assigned mentees to Early Literacy Mentor Coach.
• Maintains web clock-based timesheets on assigned staff and approves or disapproves leave requests. Corrects inaccurate time as needed after discussing with the appropriate employee.
• Informs parents of facility activities, policies and enrollment procedures.

All childcare providers and household members who have incurred any pending charges, indictments or convictions (other than minor traffic offenses) since the last qualification letter was issued by the DHHS Criminal Background Check Unit must notify the operator of such charges within five business days or before returning to work, whichever comes first. The operator must notify the Criminal Background Check Unit within one business day of being notified. 10A NCAC 09.2703.

Any new charges or convictions could result in disqualification. In addition, if the individual has been placed on the Responsible Individual List (RIL), Child Maltreatment Registry (CMR), or the Sex Offender Registry (SOR), this will result in disqualification.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree (four-year college or university) in Early Childhood Education or in Administration. The position requires a Level III Administration Credential. State certification in the area of Birth to Kindergarten is preferred.

Experience: Four to ten years related experience with four years of experience in an early childhood educational setting and a minimum of two years supervisory experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be permitted.

General Requirements

It is the employee's responsibility to obtain and keep current all certifications, licenses, physicals, etc., at all times.

• Early Childhood Credential (or CDA)
• Level III Administration Credential
• Food Handler's License
• Annual physical
• Annual (negative) TB test
• CPR certification
• First Aid certification
• Valid driver's license and own transportation. Must provide proof of and maintain vehicle liability insurance and annual state vehicle inspection.

Other Requirements

Must have good supervisory skills and be able to effectively perform duties with a minimum of supervision. The employee must have a thorough knowledge of age-appropriate activities for infants and toddlers as well as 3 and 4-year-old children. Familiarity with the needs of low-income families and community resources to resolve problems is essential to success in the position. The employee must be able to pass a criminal background record check and be able to pass initial and random substance abuse tests. Ability to speak Spanish as a second language is preferred.

Conditions of Employment

Background check with state and Federal law enforcement agencies required. Selected applicants must submit to a pre-employment substance abuse screening test and receive a negative result for the use of drugs and alcohol as specified in agency policies. Must submit and receive negative results for random testing of same. The employee must have a valid North Carolina Driver's License. Must be able to pass a post-offer physical examination. Action Pathways, Inc. is an "at-will" employer. Either the employee or Action Pathways, Inc. may terminate the employment arrangement at any time, with or without cause. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. The job description or announcement is not an employment agreement or contract.

Employee Benefits

• Competitive pay with periodic Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA)
• Zero-cost Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability (Employee only)
• Retirement plan with 5% employer matching
• Paid Vacation/Sick/Personal leave
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Paid professional development training
• Education assistance
• Auto mileage reimbursement for official travel
• Employee discounts
• Bragg Mutual Credit Union Membership
• Employee Recognition Events