PT Head Start Director

Description

NATURE AND SCOPE OF POSITION

The Head Start Director will coordinate and direct all program and administrative services for the Early Head Start and Head Start program. General responsibilities include supervision and management of all EHS and Head Start leadership team roles, overall supervision and guidance of all program operations and ensuring full compliance with all Head Start performance standards, state and local licensing regulations. The Head Start Director will provide the program with vision and leadership, and ensure management functions are properly carried out. Must be an inspiring leader with a proven track record of success.

JOB FUNCTIONS ESSENTIAL:

• Serve as the main point of contact for all Head Start stakeholders, including interactions with governing bodies, agency leadership, managers of other agency programs, the Policy Council, and parents of Head Start students.
• Design, develop, implement and monitor all programs within the Head Start facilities, ensuring their compliance with governing bodies and regulatory agencies, as well as guiding these programs towards success.  Set reasonable short and long-term goals and metrics to help achieve the program’s success.
• Lead and direct the overall day-to-day functions of the Head Start program, including personnel administration and supervision of direct reports.  Provide effective coaching and mentoring of direct reports to ensure staff is adequately trained and able to perform their individual responsibilities.
• Analyze, design, develop and implement customized training and development programs for Head Start personnel.
• Direct and oversee the administration and maintenance of facilities, materials, and equipment for all Head Start facilities.
• Direct and administer the financial performance and budget for the Head Start program, ensuring cost-effective business operations and informing the Vice President of Finance and Administration of any unforeseen financial issues.
• Continually monitor the effectiveness and success of Head Start personnel and programs.  Proactively address issues that affect the success of these programs immediately.
• Direct and oversee all community outreach/relations initiatives for the Head Start program in an effort to create strong relationships within the community.
• Lead and uphold the shared mission and values of the organization and Head Start program.

MARGINAL-

• Provide courteous and prompt service to all internal and external clients.  Prioritize and address requests and assignments in a professional manner to develop cooperative relationships and to ensure that client confidentiality is assured.
• Identify opportunities and recommend methods to improve service, work processes and financial performance, e.g. expense management.  Assists in the implementation of quality improvement initiatives. Assist co-workers in the completion of tasks and assignments to ensure continuity of service.  Orient new co-workers and actively support teamwork throughout the organization.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications

PRIMARY QUALIFICATIONS

Education:     

• Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field from an accredited 4 year university is required.
• Master’s Degree Preferred.

Certifications:            

• First aid and CPR certifications required or to be obtained.

Work Experience:      

• 5-7 years in a management position, including experience in program oversight, budgeting, facilities management, and staff management, preferably within a multi-site operation and in a field related to early child care, education, or families.
• Prior experience managing multiple units/divisions is required.
• Prior experience in project management is required.
• Prior experience in facilitating and delivering training programs is preferred.
• Reliable transportation and/or state-mandated minimum insurance coverage(s) on your vehicle.

Special Skills:             

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work as part of a team, communicate effectively both orally and in writing, receive and provide feedback, and manage dynamic interchanges in meetings.
• The ability to develop a fiscally sound budget and provide reasonable and timely status updates on budget matters.
• Experience in Human Services program management, including program planning, operations, and evaluation, and the use of management information systems.
• An understanding of the Head Start philosophy and the ability to implement its principle of shared authority and decision-making.
• Strong organization and time management skills with ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent decision-making and communications skills.
• High degree of tact and professionalism.
• Strong positive attitude.
• Effective leadership and delegation skills.

Other Considerations:

• Frequent travel to Head Start facilities is required.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY SPECIFICATIONS

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 the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger motions, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk or hear, taste or smell.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.

Work Environment: Work environment characteristics 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather and internal climate conditions prevalent at the time.  The work environment is considered to be that of a normal business/office operation or within an educational institution.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  Exposure to blood, saliva and bodily fluids is common.  Proper training and protective equipment are required to avoid direct contact from blood, saliva and bodily fluids is required.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities/Prime Time Family, Inc is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, creed, ancestry, marital status or sexual orientation, gender identification, genetic information, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, marital status, citizenship status, victims of domestic violence, or any other protected category.

NOTE: This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the position.  It is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all duties and responsibilities.  The organization reserves the right to change this description at its discretion.