Center Director I

Job Description

Job Description

Title : Center Director

Reports To : Senior Education Manager

Department : Children and Family Services

Location : Oakland, CA

Schedule : Monday through Friday

Travel : Local travel may be required

Employee Status : Regular, Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Union : N/A

Supervises : Teachers

Benefits

Two weeks of paid vacation a year, sick time, 14 holidays, up to five floating holidays based on employee status, medical and dental benefits on the first of the month following 30 days of employment, life insurance policy at no cost to employee (with the option of increasing policy amount), flexible spending account for medical and dependent care costs, commuter benefits, 403(b) with employer match, and other benefits. We foster a joyful workplace and offer opportunities for professional development and growth.

Agency Summary

The Unity Council is a non-profit Social Equity Development Corporation with an over 60-year history in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland. Our mission is to promote social equity and improve quality of life by building vibrant communities where everyone can work, learn, and thrive.

Our programs aim to provide the community with the tools, knowledge, and resources to transform their lives and ultimately achieve their long-term educational, career, and financial goals. These holistic programs and services reach more than 10,000 individuals and families annually in five languages. Programs include early childhood education, youth mentorship and leadership development, employment services, career readiness training, housing and financial stability, senior citizen services, affordable housing and neighborhood development, and arts and cultural events. Our work expands beyond the Fruitvale district and now reaches across Oakland and into Contra Costa County. The Unity Council employs a diverse workforce of more than 300 people who reflect the linguistic, cultural, and ethnic identity of the communities we serve.

Department Summary

The Children and Family Services programs include Head Start, Early Head Start, State Pre-Kindergarten, Home Based Services, and Developmental Play Groups. Over 900 children birth through kindergarten entry and 32 expectant parents and their families receive child development and comprehensive family services through the Unity Council. The programs are diverse, multilingual, developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, and individualized for each child and family services are provided in seven centers and one home-based program throughout Oakland and Contra Costa County.

Position Summary

Under direction, plans, develops, implements and supervises program operations for an assigned Head Start and Early Head Start (EHS) center; monitors and ensures center operations are in conformance with Unity Council policies and procedures, licensing regulations, Health and Safety Standards and service area plans. Participates in implementation of age appropriate curriculum and ongoing monitoring of children’s cognitive and physical development. Monitors and ensures recruitment and enrollment activities, family development plans and parent participation and overall parent satisfaction. Ensures data entry of all education events are uploaded on to the various electronic platforms. Coordinates and participates in activities of parent committees; compiles and submits site reports; and performs related duties as assigned.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Maintain high quality classroom environments that meet or exceed the national average;
• Ensure that classroom activities and lesson plans reflect and include all Head Start/Early Head Start/State Preschool Program services, including education, health, nutrition, mental health, social services, parent involvement, disabilities and transitions;
• Monitor and supervise all teachers in the classrooms and all activities in the center;
• Provide regular breaks for teachers and serve in the classroom as needed;
• Work with teachers on organizing and setting up classroom environment designed to meet the developmental needs of the children;
• Provide site orientation and on-site supervision to staff, volunteers, and substitute teachers; assign and schedule the work of staff and volunteers; ensure that daily staffing requirements and child/staff ratios are met at all times.
• Monitor and review staff performance; provide guidance, support and counseling on performance issues to staff; ensure ongoing professional development through education, mentoring, and providing training and resources;
• Create professional development plans and evaluations for teachers;
• Conduct and monitor developmental screenings and assessments, write observations, and devise Individual; Development Plans (IDP) or Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP) on all children enrolled in the program; assist in developing Individual Education Plans (IEP) for special needs children; review IDP's and IEP's or IFSP's prepared by staff; provide written referrals;
• Ensure all DRDPs are completed in a timely manner and support teachers by assisting in the development of individual portfolios using the Learning Genie and ChildPlus system;
• Maintain a clean and organized indoor and outdoor environment, including food service areas; maintain safe standards for use and storage of equipment and supplies; maintain inventory of center supplies;
• Ensure overall program compliance with department policies and procedures, Early Head Start (EHS) and/or Head Start Program Performance Standards and Regulations, CA Department of Education, Child Development Division funding terms and conditions, Title 5 regulations and Title 22 Community Care Licensing regulations;
• Conduct outreach and recruit children and families for enrollment in the Early Head Start, Head Start, or State Preschool program(s) as needed and in collaboration with the FCP Coordinator; encourage and involve parents as volunteers in the classroom;
• Develop and maintain required reports, records, files and documents as determined by Early Head Start/Head Start policies and procedures; ensure all records, including employee, children and family records, are accurate, up-to-date, and kept confidential;
• Use the various technological platforms, of ChildPlus, Learning Genie, Teaching Strategies Cloud, etc. to ensure all information for educational events are uploaded, reflected and managed;
• Conduct monthly parent meetings in collaboration with Family Advocates and FCP Coordinator;
• Complete a minimum of 21 hours of Professional Development annually;
• Other duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in early childhood education, Head Start experience preferred;
• 2 years working experience as a supervisor;
• Ability to model play-based, child-centered curriculum;
• Experience and knowledge of Early Childhood Programming;
• Good writing ability and experience in program-related materials;
• Caring, compassionate approach to working with children and families;
• Familiarity with administrative procedures;
• Ability to work harmoniously in a diverse team;
• Knowledge of workplace safety rules regarding lifting, general safety, and utilizing preventative health measures to prevent the spread of disease;
• Bilingual (Spanish/English and or African Languages) preferred.
• Advanced computer skills with strong MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
• Regularly required to operate standard office equipment (computer, photocopier, fax, etc.);

Requirements

• Site Supervisor Permit or higher from Commission on Teacher Credentialing;
• BA Degree in Child Development or related field preferred; or BA Degree with 15 ECE units including 9 units; Core Courses and 6 Infant/Toddler Units plus Supervised Field Experience or;
• AA Degree in Child Development or related field; or AA Degree with 24 ECE units including 9 units Core Courses plus 6 units administration and 2 units adult supervision;
• 6 units Infant/Toddler Care.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able climb stairs, reach, bend, lift 20-30 pounds, crawl, kneel, stoop, twist, grasp with hands and fingers materials, use arms and legs, able to walk, climb ladders if applicable.
• Regularly required to sit for long periods of time, and occasionally stand and walk;
• Regularly required to use hands to operate computer and other office equipment;
• Close vision required for computer use.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Physical exam
• TB test
• Background/fingerprint clearance
• MMR and Tdap vaccinations,
• CPR
• Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training

This description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities or requirements for the position. This position may change or assume additional duties at any time.

*** Please submit your cover letter and resume. ***

The Unity Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer.