Interim Center Director

Location: North Coast Center - Oceanside, CA. This is a full-time, temporary role for 5 weeks.

Since 1965, MAAC has been maximizing self-sufficiency with families and individuals through high-quality programs and advocacy in our communities. MAAC employs dedicated staff who provide life-changing services to thousands of individuals annually through programs in five core focus areas: Education, Economic Development, Health & Wellbeing, Housing, and Advocacy & Leadership Development. Through a wide variety of programs, MAAC has grown to become one of the largest nonprofit social service organizations in the community. Learn more about MAAC.

About the Program

MAAC’s Child Development Program—Head Start, Early Head Start, and State Preschool—delivers the national school readiness program to special needs and economically disadvantaged children and their families. Our highly individualized programs integrate a developmentally appropriate curriculum reflecting the diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds of participating families.

Currently, MAAC Head Start serves over 2,000 economically disadvantaged children and their families throughout north San Diego County in the communities of Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, Escondido, and Carlsbad. These comprehensive, federally funded school-readiness programs promote parents as the primary educator of the child. The majority of participating families are of Latino/Hispanic ethnicity. The programs ensure that children ages 0-3 (Early Head Start) and 3-5 (Head Start) and their families are provided with comprehensive services to promote optimum physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth. MAAC’s California State Preschool program provides educational and developmental services to qualifying children ages 3 to 5; parents are encouraged to participate with their children and to be involved in their children’s development.

About the Role

This position is designed to enable individuals, qualified pursuant to Title 22 regulations, the opportunity to obtain hands-on experience to meet MAAC’s experience requirements for the classification of Center Director. Incumbents in this classification are limited to a maximum of a two-year term (appointments may be made for a shorter period of time); at the conclusion of which the incumbent may be considered for a position as a Center Director.

Under direction, the Center Director in Training plans, develops, implements, and supervises program operations for an assigned Head Start or Early Head Start (EHS) center(s). The role ensures center operations conform with MAAC policies and procedures, licensing regulations, Health and Safety Standards, and service area plans. The incumbent participates in the implementation of age-appropriate curriculum and ongoing monitoring of children’s cognitive and physical development, while also ensuring recruitment and enrollment activities, family development plans, and parent participation and satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, supervise, and evaluate the programs and activities of an assigned Head Start/EHS center; develop, implement, and monitor service area and center work plans to achieve assigned goals, objectives, and educational outcomes.
• Plan and evaluate the performance of assigned staff; establish performance requirements and personal development targets; monitor performance and provide coaching for improvement; recommend compensation and recognition for performance.
• Provide day-to-day leadership to ensure a high-performance, child- and family-centered environment that supports Head Start educational objectives and family service expectations.
• Supervise and oversee the day-to-day operations of assigned centers and program options; ensure centers are properly staffed in conformance with licensing requirements; respond to parent inquiries regarding child and family issues.
• Inspect and monitor center operations to ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, state licensing requirements, and health, safety, and fire regulations.
• Oversee and participate in the implementation of daily lesson plans and activities, ensuring they are age-appropriate, individualized, and culturally sensitive; observe teachers in the classroom and provide feedback.
• Promote parent involvement in center activities; coordinate and facilitate monthly parent committee meetings; plan and conduct parent education/training meetings.
• Ensure the maintenance of up-to-date, accurate center and children’s files; compile and submit end-of-the-month reporting for each assigned program option.
• Fill in for other center staff as required; substitute in the classroom; prepare and portion children’s meals; serve as a bus aide when needed; participate in field trips.
• Attend management, staff, and program planning meetings; participate in mandatory training sessions.
• Build community relationships; participate in recruitment and enrollment activities as required.
• Maintain an inventory and order materials and supplies for center operations.
• Conduct home visits as required to address special children and/or family situations and needs.
• Perform a variety of summer recess activities, including redesigning center forms, updating policies and procedures, and developing staff training plans.

Requirements

• Principles and methods of instruction, care, and supervision of infants, toddlers, and preschool children.
• Concepts of child development and child behavior patterns of infants, toddlers, and preschool children.
• MAAC policies and procedures, Head Start Performance Standards, and relevant federal, state, and local regulations applicable to Head Start/EHS center operations.
• Health and safety regulations and requirements for maintaining Head Start/EHS centers and grounds in a safe, clean, and orderly condition.
• Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and court decisions applicable to assigned areas of responsibility.
• MAAC administrative procedures and forms applicable to Head Start/EHS center operations.
• Principles and practices of effective supervision.
• MAAC human resources policies and procedures, applicable Head Start regulations, and labor contract provisions.

Skills

• Ensure Head Start/EHS center operations meet Performance Standards and comply with all applicable regulations.
• Develop and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum, lesson plans, and instructional strategies.
• Sound business communication; correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Proficiency with computer hardware and standard business software.

Pay

Salary Range: $70,034 - $80,000 (Dependent on Qualifications/Experience).