Program Director

Job Overview
This position will manage the day-to-day program to ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards. Provide leadership in planning, designing, and implementing systems that align with state and federal regulations. Responsible for development, training, and ongoing work with the program policy council. Communicate with community stakeholders to develop a positive and supportive relationship.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the design of internal structures, systems, and policies.
• Ensure adequate systems are in place to maintain the highest quality of services to children and families in compliance with HSPPS.
• Ensure consistency in service delivery with attention to inclusive practices and integration of component areas; encourage continuous improvement of systems.
• Participate in the development of program and Community Child Care interagency agreements contracts.
• Prepare annual Program Information Report (PIR).
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with the public-school systems, institutions of higher education, and other community agencies and partners.
• Attend interagency planning meetings as appropriate.
• Research and investigate potential grant opportunities.
• Regular written memos, correspondence, reports, and grant application materials to provide documentation information and to generate revenue.
• In conjunction with PFCE/ERSEA Coordinator and Education Coordinators, review and analyzes monthly Attendance Reports to assess chronic absenteeism and use individual child attendance data to identify children with patterns of absence that put them at risk of missing ten percent of program days per year and develop appropriate strategies to improve individual attendance among identified children, such as direct contact with parents or intensive case management, as necessary.
• Reads management and leadership materials and program-related materials to keep abreast of developments in comprehensive early childhood programs.
• Works with other organizations in the community to foster collaboration as defined by federal Head Start.
• Conducts a complete Community Assessment every five years and updates during the intervening years.
• Monitors the implementation of the responsibilities of employees through observation, monthly supervisory meetings, team meetings, and review of files and documentation.
• Assumes an active role in the annual program self-assessment.
• Monitor the program's non-federal share to ensure that the amount required is met. Meets with staff, parents, and the Board to develop strategies for increasing the amount of the program's accumulated non-federal share, if necessary.
• The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by a person in this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed in such a position.

Knowledge/Skills/Experience and Other Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Social Services, Early Childhood Education, Public Administration, or a related field, and a minimum of five years in an Early Childhood Education environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• An understanding of Head Start philosophy and the ability to implement its principle of shared * authority and decision-making.
• Experience in human services program management, including program planning, operations, and evaluation, and the use of management information systems. * Leadership ability.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work as part of a team.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Child Plus, Teaching Strategies, etc.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 35 pounds.
• Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization’s facilities.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person