Center Director

Academic Requirements High School diploma, GED, or equivalency. Associate’s degree is preferred. Certifications 1. Obtain State Center Director certification within the first three weeks of employment. 2. Complete a Child Development Certificate (CDA) in the age group most prevalent in the center you will lead. If items (1) and (2) are not successfully completed on the first attempt, you may retake the course at your expense within 60 days. If you do not seek a second attempt, the employee may be separated from employment. Work Experience Required - Experience in supervision of staff in a licensed childcare center or a licensed childcare home. Experience in early childhood programs is preferred. Critical Action Items & Measurable Deliverables Ensure staff, consultants, contractors, and volunteers protect the physical and mental health and safety of children; no child is left alone or unsupervised while under care. (HSPPS 1302.90) Hire, train, manage, and evaluate program personnel to support staff professional development and continuous program quality improvement. (HSPPS 1302.101) Manage the delivery of high-quality program services that comply with state and federal standards through implementation, monitoring, and feedback of program policies and procedures. (HSPPS 1302.100) Monitor compliance of record‑keeping systems for all physical and electronic program files (e.g., personnel, client, accounting, and incident records), including confidentiality compliance. (HSPPS 1302.101) Ensure center staff (including contractors) follow appropriate practices to keep children safe during all activities, report suspected or known abuse and neglect, supervise children at all times, and adhere to standards of conduct. (HSPPS 1302.47, 1302.90) Track and monitor child outcomes and quality assessment results on a center-wide basis, including compliance with positive adult‑child interactions as measured by the CLASS Pre‑K instrument. (HSPPS 1304.16) Support staff development, including completion of minimum training requirements as specified in state and federal standards, ongoing professional development, and staff wellness initiatives. (HSPPS 1302.92) Monitor and address attendance for each assigned child, including direct contact with parents and intensive case management. (HSPPS 1302.16) Engage families in a partnership that identifies needs, interests, strengths, goals, and resources that support family well‑being, including safety, health, and economic stability. (HSPPS 1302.50, 1302.51) Meet with families to establish Family Service Plans (FSP), review individual progress, evaluate/revise goals, and provide resource referrals based on urgency and intensity of identified needs and goals. (HSPPS 1302.52, 1302.53) Coordinate new and existing community referrals to maximize resources and avoid duplication of effort or services. (HSPPS 1302.52, 1302.53) Ensure physical and electronic child files are current and organized. Monitor facility to be certain it is free from physical and environmental hazards. Report incidents within the timeframes designated in program policy and protocol. Establish weekly staff meetings to ensure effective command, control, and coordination. Prepare and submit reports prior to deadlines. Other Responsibilities Provide timely communication as the first point of contact for the Head Start center for center personnel, support staff, families, and community partners. Analyze program, financial, and child data and make program development recommendations to program leadership team. Participate in program efforts and events designed to actively inform, recruit, and engage families with eligible and/or enrolled children in the service area. Ensure teachers understand, generate, and document in‑kind contributions from parents and others that can be applied toward the non‑federal share requirement. Support development of grant applications, budgets, and required reports in accordance with INK and Office of Head Start timelines and criteria for composition. Perform other job duties as assigned. Requirements Leadership skills evident through professional presence and reinforcement of agency mission, vision, and culture to encourage passion, engagement, and accountability among center staff. Courtesy and sensitivity when dealing with center staff, children, and parents, including effective management of difficult or emotional child and/or parent situations. Strong people acumen, knowledge of human resources policy requirements, and personnel management strategies. Ability to organize and prioritize duties and responsibilities in a fast‑paced environment. Ability to work independently in a flexible schedule including nights, holidays, and weekends. Sensitivity to the service population’s cultural and socio‑economic characteristics. Familiarity with applicable state and federal Head Start regulations, performance standards and guidelines. Ability to work independently. Possess a valid driver’s license. Complete and pass health examination. Confirm work eligibility status. Successfully pass driving history check. Clear criminal background check. Required to lift up to 60 pounds. Required to stand, sit on the floor, bend, squat, kneel, lift children, and engage with children. Exposure to communicable diseases and other hazards such as cigarette smoke, pets, at‑risk neighborhoods, etc. Travel up to 50% by car, bus, airplane, or train may also be required for attendance at conferences, meetings and other duties carried out at distant locations in and out of state and in some cases where overnight travel may be required. Some evenings and weekend work may occasionally be required for events such as home visits, parent‑teacher conferences, Parent Committee meetings, community, and social events such as field trips. English (United States) EEO Statement In accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable federal and state laws (e.g., the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)), it is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity and treat all employees equally regardless of race, religion, national origin, color, sex, or any other classification made unlawful or prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws, such as age, citizenship status, veteran or military status, or disability. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination. Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. Position Level: Senior #J-18808-Ljbffr