Center Director (33024)

About the Role

The Center Director is responsible for the general and day-to-day operations of a Head Start/Early Head Start center or cluster of outlying centers, covering multiple classrooms. This role involves coordinating, overseeing, and teaching duties, communicating with parents and the community, and supervising all education staff at the assigned center. The director ensures the implementation of educational activities for preschool-aged children and infants/toddlers that comply with federal performance standards and participates in HS/EHS Quality Assurance efforts.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates and oversees daily activities of a Head Start/Early Head Start Center to ensure compliance with federal performance standards and local licensing/health/fire inspection requirements.
• Assesses educational needs of staff and develops individual education plans that comply with federal performance standards.
• Conducts classroom observations and measures staff performance using the Teacher/Teacher Assistant Success Rubric and Active Supervision.
• Performs Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) observations on teacher-child interactions and maintains CLASS scores as required.
• Prepares for and achieves National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation, maintaining compliance thereafter.
• Oversees Teaching Strategies GOLD assessments and observations as outlined in the Education calendar.
• Conducts classroom Environmental Rating Screenings as scheduled.
• Provides coaching and feedback to education staff on classroom management, emotional support, classroom organization, and instructional support.
• Schedules, assigns, and reviews the work of center staff, ensuring compliance with staffing ratios and maintaining staff records.
• Supervises assigned staff, prepares performance appraisals, and takes corrective action as needed.
• Reviews and approves staff timecards and time-off requests.
• Selects new staff for vacant positions and ensures proper hiring documentation.
• Monitors food service and supplies, ensuring proper documentation for USDA Food Program reimbursement.
• Ensures a safe environment during meal times, restroom activities, and playground activities.
• Documents children’s progress and completes required screening and assessment forms.
• Reviews and reports incidents of health concerns (e.g., ringworm, head lice, bruises) to appropriate specialists and agencies.
• Reports suspected child abuse and neglect to designated state agencies and local Child Care Licensing.
• Plans volunteer activities for parents and community volunteers.
• Attends workshops and meetings to acquire and disseminate information to staff.
• Plans, coordinates, and oversees field trips for assigned children.
• Orders supplies and equipment to meet Head Start requirements, including those for special needs children.
• Maintains inventory of program assets and submits repair requests to ensure a safe environment.
• Inspects classrooms and grounds for safety, orderliness, sanitation, and cleanliness.
• Reviews and forwards accident and incident reports.
• Coordinates with Head Start/Early Head Start staff regarding child and family concerns.
• May perform First Aid and CPR.
• Maintains strict confidentiality regarding children, families, and staff.
• Attends required staff and parent meetings and collaborates with community organizations.

Requirements

• A baccalaureate or advanced degree in Early Childhood Education; or a baccalaureate or advanced degree in any subject with coursework equivalent to a major in Early Childhood Education and experience teaching preschool-aged children.
• Coursework equivalent to a major in Early Childhood Education may include:
  • Teaching credentials: State licensure or certification for Pre-K teachers, recognized by the local school district or state education agency, with at least 500 clock hours of experience teaching preschool-aged children.
  • No less than 18 semester credits in courses focusing on child development, early childhood education and curriculum, teaching and assessment, psychology, family development, health and physical development, mathematics, science, and children’s literature.
• A baccalaureate degree in any field with admission into the Teach For America program, passing a rigorous early childhood content exam (e.g., Praxis II), participation in a Teach For America summer training institute, and ongoing professional development.
• Completion of State Childcare Training, including:
  • Certificate of Completion of an approved 10-hour Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Preschoolers or Infant/Toddlers Course.
  • Proof of successful completion of:
    • 6 hours Child Growth and Development
    • 6 hours Behavioral Observation & Screening
    • 8 hours Health, Safety & Nutrition
    • 4 hours Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
    • 6 hours Child Care Facility Rules and Regulations, or a 30-hour Introductory Child Care Training Course
  • All state-mandated courses for Voluntary Prekindergarten.
  • A Certificate of Completion of an approved 10-hour Special Needs Course.
  • A State of Florida Child Care and Education Program Director Credential.
• Possession of a valid Driver License and must be at least 21 years of age.
• Three years of experience teaching preschool or kindergarten age children, plus two years of supervisory experience.
• Some experience in financial management and budgeting preferred.
• Previous Head Start/Early Head Start experience preferred.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area) preferred.
• Certification in First Aid and CPR within 90 days of hire.
• Successful completion of a Level II background screening, local criminal record check, health, TB, and drug screening prior to hiring.

Skills

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

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage.
• Telehealth (24/7 online access to doctors).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Employer-paid life insurance (1X salary).
• 13 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday.
• Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year).
• 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match or 3% student loan repayment reimbursement.
• Tuition reimbursement.