Description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Vice President of Head Start is responsible for administering and directing program

operations, health services, family services, ERSEA, outreach, nutrition, and home-based

services for the Head Start program, including supervision and development of direct reporting

staff; implementation and support of the education program; and ensuring full compliance

with State, Federal, local laws and regulations, and adherence to the Head Start Program

Performance Standards and regulations and ECS Policies and Procedures.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Administers and sustains the Head Start/Early Head Start grants through compliance of State,

Federal, and local laws and regulations and adherence to the Head Start Performance 

Standards.

2. Serve as the management liaison with the Head Start Policy Council, organizing and supporting 

the Council, attending all Council meetings, and training Council members. Shares information and 

collaborates with the Policy Council in program governance of the HS/EHS grant.

3. Ensures compliance with HS Program Performance Standards in Early Head Start/Head Start 

service areas including Governance, Operations, Health Services, Family Services, ERSEA, 

Nutrition, Home-Based, Outreach, Education, and Facilities.

4. Assures remediation and develops a corrective action plan for any non-compliances reported by 

Quality Assurance, Education, DCF, Office of Head Start, and other sources related to the program.

5. Supports continuing professional development of staff as part of the commitment to excellence.

6. Provides leadership and direct supervision to the management staff of Operations, Health and 

Child Services, and Family Support Services.

7. Oversees the on-going monitoring by the Operations team to ensure full implementation of the 

education program to include curriculum implementation with fidelity, child assessments, CLASS 

assessments, pilots and projects, and use of technology in the classroom to meet or exceed the 

growth range for each child.

8. Provides leadership and support for the implementation of the Trauma Informed Care practices 

into existing and new programs and policies and procedures.

9. Implements and monitors the Head Start budget in coordination with the CFO and the COCO, to 

support compliance with all budgetary requirements and ensure programmatic fiscal responsibility 

with Federal Funds. Reviews and adjust expenditures based on monthly financial statements in 

conjunction with the CFO, COCO, and Fiscal staff.

10. Monitors and assures the Non-Federal Share is met or exceeds the required amount. Submits 

timely waivers if needed. Meets with staff, parents, and develops strategies, community 

partnerships, and volunteers to increase the amount and sources of the program’s non-federal share.

11. In close collaboration with the COCO, AVP of Education and Head Start

Management team, establishes performance goals and participates in effective and 

efficient program planning and implementation that ensure the delivery of high-

quality programs for children and families and furthers the ECS vision and mission.

12. Reviews and updates Head Start/Early Head Start program operation systems, including policies 

and procedures, self-assessment, Program Information Report (PIR), long and short-term 

planning/goals and improvement and/or action plans. Collaborate with the AVP of Education to review 

and support School Readiness Goals.

13. Assists and contributes to the development of the ECS and Head Start Annual Report, HS/EHS 

Grant Applications, and program budget. Provides information as needed for the Community Assessment 

and Self-Assessment.

14. Prepares and submits accurate and timely reports required to the funding sources, the Executive 

Team, Board of Trustees, Policy Council, and any other required parties.

15. Maintains open lines of communications with grantee personnel.

16. Seeks opportunities to collaborate with other ECS departments to improve communication between 

departments and strengthen services provided to all children and families in the program.

17. Reads management and leadership materials and program related materials and shares with 

appropriate staff. Stays abreast of developments in early childhood trends and research, funding 

grant opportunities, and other opportunities of benefit to ECS.

18. Participates in all other agency activities that promotes the success of ECS.

19. Maintains continuous lines of communication, keeping the Chief of Center Operations informed of 

all important issues and policy matters.

20. Provides any required or requested information to the Chief of Center Operations for the 

Executive Team and Board/Policy Council meetings.

21. Takes an active role in representing ECS throughout the community and cultivating key 

relationships.

(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of duties performed. 

Employees will be required to perform other related marginal duties as required.)

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP:

•  This position reports to the Chief of Center Operations.

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

•  A baccalaureate degree with demonstrated proficiency in program development &

administration, budgeting & fiscal management, and personnel administration & staff

supervision, preferably in a field related to early childcare, education, or families.

•  Master’s degree and experience with organizational expansion and scaling programs

strongly preferred.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

•  Head Start experience, or the ability to quickly understand the principles, practices, and

objectives of early childhood education and Head Start program administration.

•  Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work as part of

a highly collaborative team within the organization and build positive rapport with key

community groups and constituents.

•  Demonstrated experience in a change management environment requiring leadership

in defining process and establishing relationships, both internal and external.

•  Demonstrated experience in program planning, operations, and evaluation, and the

use of management information systems.

•  Creative problem-solver with the ability to use data and sound judgment to drive

decision-making.

•  Working knowledge of accounting principles, fiscal management, budgeting processes

and monitoring.

•  Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills including negotiation and

conflict resolution.

•  Working knowledge of Microsoft Office products
•  Significant experience in planning, administration, and supervision
•  Demonstrate the ability to communicate and interact with all levels of personnel,

parents, and external vendors with professionalism and diplomacy.

•  Ability to plan and direct activities to write goals and objectives.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS OR REGISTRATIONS:

•  Valid driver’s license and proof of automobile coverage
•  Satisfactory Driving Record (as outlined in Vehicle Driving Policy)
•  Complete a minimum of 15 clock hours of professional development per year.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

•  Works in an office setting with local travel to multiple sites required.
•  Some out-of-town travel, including nights and weekends required.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS:

•  Typical Physical & Mental Demands: Requires prolonged sitting with some bending, stooping, and stretching, and eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, telephone, photocopier, calculator, and other office equipment.
•  Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to communicate with clients and staff.

(Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability)