Center Support Specialist

SUMMARY
The Center Support Specialist is responsible for assisting the Center Director & Assistant Director in ensuring an educational, caring, and safe child development program to meet the developmental needs of children served by the Center for Transforming Lives. The Center Support Specialist is responsible for managing and supervising the staff, program, and day-to-day operations of the Child Development Center in the absence of the Center Director and Assistant Director. The Center Support Specialist is the third in charge of center operations. The Center Support Specialist provides administrative support and reception for the Center for Transforming Lives Child Development Centers including answering calls, data entry and creating and revising documents. This position may support other child development centers as needed.  This position provides case management support to child care children and families.

RESPONSIBILITIES

●        Contributes to providing quality service delivery for children and families.

●        Assists the Center Director & Assistant Director in ensuring that the Child Development Center is operating in compliance with agency policies and procedures, state licensing standards, Head Start Program Performance Standards, and other regulatory entities.

●        Assists the Director and Assistant Director in ensuring goals are met, with focus on traditional childcare families

●        Helps to ensure the safety and security of the children, employees, and the property.

●        Ensure families and children are referred and/or connected to community resources as appropriate.

●        Greeting and directing families and visitors, respond to direct requests for information. 

●        Set up and maintain a comprehensive filing system for traditional childcare families in accordance with Texas Childcare Licensing. 

●        Remain compliant with updates in child files.

●        Respond to inquiries made in person, by phone or email and provide appropriate referrals within the Center for Transforming Lives. 

●        Supports child screening and child assessment process. 

●        Ensure staffing patterns throughout the center meet Child Care Licensing Minimum Standards for classroom ratios.

●        Available and accessible to parents/guardians during operating hours and responds professionally to parent/guardian concerns.


EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

●        A minimum of an Associate’s degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education or related field required. 
●        Minimum of three years of classroom or management experience in an early childhood setting.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

●        Knowledge of Child Care Licensing Minimum Standards and Head Start Performance Standards.

●        Ability to work independently and demonstrate interpersonal and public relations skills. Maintains awareness of trends and best practices and is proactive in continually acquiring knowledge in fields related to children and families, poverty and homelessness, and early childhood development and education.

●        Communication Skills: Effective communication, both written and oral. 

●        Analytical skills: Ability to manage work activities, work tasks and scheduling.

●        Ability to manage time effectively and handle multiple tasks and responsibilities simultaneously and on time.

●        Knowledge of Windows operating system and Office products, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, or ability to learn them independently and to use them.  

●        Ability to learn and use any other software programs needed in the operations of Center for Transforming Lives programs, including, but not limited to, any center management data collection and reporting system (Pro Care and Child Plus).