Center Director (33024)

About the role

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant. LSF is seeking a Center Director who will lead and support the daily operations of a Head Start/Early Head Start center or cluster of outlying centers, ensuring compliance with federal performance standards and local licensing/health/fire inspection requirements.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates and oversees the daily activities of a Head Start/Early Head Start Center to ensure compliance with federal performance standards and local licensing/health/fire inspection requirements, implementing ongoing monitoring to ensure compliance with all regulatory bodies.
• Affirms educational needs of education staff and develops and implements individual education plans that comply with federal performance standards.
• Conducts classroom observations on education staff and measures education staff performance on the Teacher/Teacher Assistant Success Rubric classroom.
• Conducts Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) observations on teacher – child interactions.
• Maintains CLASS scores as required by Head Start Policies and Procedures.
• Prepares for and achieves National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation. Once achieved, maintains compliance (annual reports, classroom supplies and materials and staffing).
• Selects new staff for vacant positions, preparing and routing for appropriate approval the completed Hiring Manager Checklist and required documentation as per Head Start HR Policies and Procedures.
• Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start/Early Head Start children, families and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Requirements

• A baccalaureate or advanced degree in Early Childhood Education; or a baccalaureate or advanced degree in any subject, and coursework equivalent to a major relating to Early Childhood Education with experience teaching preschool-aged children.
• Three years of experience in teaching pre-school or kindergarten age plus two years of supervisory experience required. Some experience in financial management and budgeting preferred. Previous Head Start/Early Head Start experience preferred.
• Bilingual preferred: English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area.
• Certification in First Aid and CPR within 90 days from the date of hire and successful completion of a Level II background screening, local criminal record check, health, TB and drug screening prior to hiring.

Qualifications

• Considerable knowledge of supervising Education staff.
• Considerable knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for early childhood.
• Considerable knowledge of behavior modification theories and practices relating to early childhood development.
• Considerable knowledge of current educational techniques and practices relating to early childhood development.
• Skill in coordinating and selecting appropriate activities for young children and their parents.
• Skill in making presentations to groups.
• Skill in verbal communication with pre-school age children.
• Skill in resolving conflicts between pre-school age children.
• Ability to plan, organize and conduct early childhood education programs.
• Ability to oversee the work of subordinate staff.
• Ability to assume a seated position on the floor, or a bent or keeled position for extended periods of time.
• Ability to collect, organize and evaluate data and develop logical conclusions.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to prepare and maintain work related reports and files.
• Ability to handle confidential information.
• Ability to use a computer and related software.
• Ability to follow established procedures.
• Ability to administer CPR and First Aid.
• Ability to implement safety procedures.
• Ability to work effectively with others.
• Ability to provide physical assistance in the transportation of special needs children.
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Telehealth (24/7 online access to Doctors)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employer paid life insurance (1X salary)
• 13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday
• Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year)
• Tuition reimbursement
• LSF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Pay

Compensation is commensurate with experience.

Schedule

Full-time position.