Interim Early Childhood Education Director

About the role

The Interim Director of Early Childhood Education (Head Start/Early Head Start Director) is responsible for assuring all the Head Start/Early Head Start program mandates and standards for excellence are met daily. This position develops the structure, systems, and procedures to facilitate this. In addition to operating responsibility for the program's fiscal, legal, and programmatic aspects, it assures that the program is strategically positioned for the future. Ensures goals and objectives are accomplished within the prescribed timelines and funding parameters.

Responsibilities

• Develops and executes fundraising and in-kind contribution plans, including grant writing, by performing the following duties personally or through subordinates.
• Provides guidance and leadership to staff to emphasize the importance of the program achieving high quality standards, internally and through public and private sector partnerships.
• Reviews and analyzes monthly financial and statistical reports to assess the budget status and to initiate preventative measures if any problems appear to be predicated.
• Oversees and monitors agreements for the purchasing of goods and services assures that bids are solicited in accordance with state and federal regulations.
• Conducts a complete Community Assessment every three years and an update during the intervening years.
• Develops and submits yearly funding applications for early education grants.
• Facilitates the continuing professional development of all staff as part of the commitment to excellence.
• Hires, and if necessary, fires staff, complying with applicable laws, regulations, Agency Personnel Policies and Procedures.
• Maintains open lines of communication with the grantee personnel.
• Negotiates final contracts for space and equipment, seeking to secure the lowest rate possible.
• Monitors the program's administrative cost, assuring it does not exceed the allowed amount.
• Maintains effective, appropriate communication with the CEO, Policy Council and Board of Directors, including: attending all regular and special meetings and committee meetings, providing a written report to the board of the fiscal and programmatic status of the program and of the administrative activities since the last meeting, monitoring results, and strategies to resolve problems, communicating relevant information from the funding sources, providing training for new Board members and periodic refresher for veteran Board members on their roles and responsibilities.

Requirements

The position is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the Head Start and Early Head Start Programs. The Interim Director carries out supervisory and leadership responsibilities in accordance with Action Pathways' policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing employee complaints and resolving problems; interviewing, selecting, and recommending for hire, separation, promotion, and change in status all employees.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Education Administration, Social Work, or related field required.
• Ten years of management experience in an early childhood education environment.
• Experience in staff supervision, fiscal management, and administration is required.
• Head Start/Early Head Start management experience is required.
• Teaching experience is a plus.
• Extensive experience in North Carolina Child Care Licensing Regulations, Head Start Regulations, and Performance Standards.

Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of Internet software, preparation of Excel spreadsheets, and extensive word processing skills.
• Ability to learn program-specific ChildPlus software within 90 days of employment, including retrieving data for review and preparing reports.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, able to effectively communicate with a diverse group in both oral and written form.
• Leadership and management skills suitable for overseeing the staff and operations of a comprehensive quality child and family service program.
• A working knowledge of public and private organizations, funding sources, and government regulations.
• A clear and complete understanding of the Head Start philosophy and the ability to implement its principle of shared authority and decision-making.
• Able to travel to attend important meetings in the county, state and region.

Standards of Conduct

The employee must be knowledgeable about and follow the agency’s safety policies and procedures as described throughout agency written program plans, standard operating procedures, and personnel policies. The employee must be committed to continuous quality and performance improvement. The employee is expected to become familiar with program policies that affect the areas of operation under the control of this position and to implement such policies in a manner that ensures best practices are used.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.