Head Start Director of Education

Head Start Director Of Education

A vacancy exists for a Head Start Director of Education position within the Student Services division of the Chester County Intermediate Unit. This position is located at the Gordon Early Literacy Center in Coatesville, PA, supporting Head Start programming IU Countywide. The Head Start Director of Education is responsible for overseeing program operations, supervising staff, ensuring compliance with Head Start and licensing standards, promoting family engagement, supporting school readiness, and maintaining high-quality educational services for children and families.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop positive relationships with the Office of Head Start (OHS) and Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) staff.
• Ensure all data is complete, accurate, and available for federal reporting requirements.
• Responsible for immediate supervision of assigned staff relative to both CCIU and Office of Head Start policies and procedures.
• Write job descriptions, interview job candidates, select finalists, and recommend hiring of staff.
• Coordinate with the Head Start Director to ensure governing bodies are fully informed of the Head Start Program.
• Interact with the Policy Council at monthly meetings.
• Actively ensure compliance across all programs, including reviewing and recommending data sources, assisting the Director in gathering data for the annual PIR, community assessment, and Annual Report.
• Responsible for supervision of the Gordon Early Literacy Center, including crisis management, parent support, and scheduling.
• Hold a leadership role in the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) team at Gordon, and help to disseminate the PBIS framework and knowledge to staff at all Head Start locations.
• Develop relationships with school district staff, enabling the Head Start program to have meaningful transitions with each district.
• Develop positive relationships with families enrolled in the program, assisting with family needs and addressing any family concerns that arise.
• Develop and coordinate employee professional development, leading other component area supervisors to develop meaningful training opportunities.
• Track all professional development and ensure that all program staff are meeting Head Start requirements.
• Supervise and evaluate education staff with regard to educational and administrative planning including provision of feedback that leads to positive change in performance.
• Utilize research-based tools, including CLASS, ECERS, and TPOT, to provide specific and targeted feedback to the employee and coach them to classroom success.
• Oversee daily dismissal of students, ensuring safe processes are maintained, staff and parents follow procedures, and students are properly supervised.
• Interact with the Policy Council at monthly meetings, substituting for the Director and/or the Supervisor of Health and Family Services when needed.
• Oversee assigned staff compliance with CCIU and Head Start Personnel Policies and Procedures.
• With the Data Specialist, oversee assigned staff completion of education and family data tracking.
• Assist in creation of budgets, grant applications, and community partnerships to grow the Head Start program.
• Recommend purchase of equipment, supplies and materials based on classroom needs as identified by ECERS, curriculum, safety reviews, and observations.
• Assist all content area supervisors in refining, clarifying, implementing, and updating service plans to ensure continuity and consistency of programming.
• Assist in recruitment of eligible families. Coordinate classroom coverage as needed.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Education or closely related field required, Master's strongly preferred
• 5 years leadership experience in a Head Start or related program strongly preferred
• Candidate must be bilingual and/or possess a PDE ESL Certification
• Professional or Other Required Clearances
• Candidate must have valid Driver's License and reliable transportation
• Current police, child abuse, NSOR, and FBI Fingerprint-DHS clearances within 1 year required

Anticipated Salary Range: 2026-2027: Administrator, Level G, $105,320 - $131,650/yr. *Placement on band is based on years of direct experience in a comparable role. 260 day position, 7.5 hours per day, 5 days per week Location: Gordon Early Literacy Center, Coatesville, PA

Chester County Intermediate Unit is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Chester County Intermediate Unit ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or disability. Chester County Intermediate Unit has a policy of active recruitment of qualified minority teachers and non-certified employees. Any individual needing assistance in making application for any opening should contact the Department of Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io.