Center Director

About the role

Mission CCSCT empowers vulnerable families and individuals in greater South Central Texas to achieve self-sufficiency by eliminating barriers through innovative programs and strong community partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Ensure efficient operations of designated Head Start center and ensures operations are in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, TDFPS Minimum Standards and all state and local regulations.
• Ensures assigned Head Start center maintains appropriate licensing requirements for operation.
• Ensures classrooms and playgrounds at center are well-equipped.
• Safeguards center property by ensuring all equipment and materials are properly used and maintained; ensures maintenance of all equipment and materials as needed and documents appropriately.
• Collaborates with Content Area Managers to serve the center's children and families as necessary.
• Recruits and monitors volunteers for center.
• Completes required administrative tasks and submits timely reports.
• Keeps EHS/HS Director and Education & Disabilities Manager informed regarding center operations.
• Maintains a calm, safe classroom and playground that incorporates developmental appropriateness; create an atmosphere in which the children feel comfortable and secure, reflecting the cultures of all enrolled children.
• Works with the Teacher Assistant to develop lesson plans that meet the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs of each child, planning for variations in ability levels and individual interests; reviews other teaching staff's plans.
• Evaluates the teaching techniques of other center staff to ensure that developmentally appropriate practice according to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) as well as Community Council of South Central Texas quality Head Start standards are effectively implemented.
• Ensures continuity of curriculum and high standards of equality in the classroom; works individually with children who experience difficulty in group activities.
• Completes annual evaluations for employees supervised; maintains documentation relating to staff competencies.
• Models team leadership; ensures that the teamwork concept is upheld and implemented at the center.
• Ensures that the arrangement of each classroom provides a stimulating, clean, and safe learning environment, incorporating NAEYC standards.
• Ensures proper documentation in children's files in all content areas.
• Completes Individual Education Plans for each enrolled child; continues the on-going assessment process, maintaining written or computer records on each child.
• Provides experiences that promote individual self-expression in conversation, imaginative play, and creativity and provides positive guidance to promote self-esteem.
• Provides experiences involving thinking skills such as generalizing, classifying, sorting, and problem solving.
• Increases the complexity and challenge of activities as children develop.
• Contributes to the operation of the center by participating in staff meetings and sharing information gained through attendance at workshops and Head Start trainings.
• Observes, records, and reports any child's behavior, sharing information appropriately with other staff members.
• Shows personal development and growth by being relaxed, using a calm, quiet voice, being pleasant and enthusiastic about the children, and by using self-control in trying situations.
• Affords assistance with transition activities for the Head Start child and family: into Head Start, during the year, and to the next placement (kindergarten).
• Affords assistance with the children at snack, breakfast, and lunchtime, ensuring that the Head Start philosophy of serving family style meals is maintained and that the children serve themselves.
• Allows the Teacher Assistant and Teacher to be seated at the table(s) with the children at mealtimes.
• Encourages the involvement of the families of the children in a Head Start program and supports the development of relationships between children and their families.
• Reports all suspected child abuse to the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400 or to an immediate supervisor.
• Fulfills CCSCT Policies and Procedures and maintains confidentiality in all phases of agency operations.
• Familiarizes self with the agency's Strategic Plan and gains an overall understanding of how position contributes to the accomplishment of goals within that plan.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings and related activities; attends conferences, workshops, and trainings to increase professional knowledge; serves on committees as assigned.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or required.

Requirements

• Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in Child Development, Early Childhood Education or a related field required.
• Bachelor's or advanced degree from an accredited college or university in Child Development, Early Childhood Education or a related field preferred.
• Must meet the minimum qualifications for Director of a licensed child care facility, to generally include 6 college credit hours in child development and 6 college credit hours in business management.
• Minimum of 2 (two) years' experience working with children age birth to five in a licensed child-care facility.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred.
• Must successfully complete a pre-employment criminal background check, initial health screening, TB test, drug test and motor vehicle records check.
• Must be able to pass regular criminal background checks and submit to TB tests as required.
• Must be at least 21 years of age, have a valid Class 'C' Texas Driver's License with an acceptable driving record and have access to a reliable vehicle with current vehicle liability insurance; must be willing to travel within service area.
• Must maintain CPR and First Aid certifications.
• Must be able to work Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00am-6:00pm. Schedules may vary based on business needs.