Site Specialist

Job Vacancy #26-16

Program:

Early Childhood Education

Position:

Site Specialist

Location:

San Marcos, Texas

Status:

Regular Full Time

Schedule:

Mon-Fri; 7AM-3PM

Salary:

$1,949.39-$2,066.88 Biweekly

(commensurate w/experience & education)

Reports To:

Education Director

Date Posted:

April 6, 2026

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

MISSION

Helping Central Texas improve economic self-reliance through a wide range of services and community partnerships.

STRATEGIC FUNCTION

The Head Start Program Site Specialist is responsible for the overall operation of the center in partnership with the collaborating entity. The Site Specialist will oversee assigned staff in a cohesive way so as to promote continuity and efficiency in the function of the center. The Site Specialist will guide staff and oversee classrooms in order to promote and build developmentally appropriate practices for all children in the center. The Site Specialist will work as a team with administration, program consultants and the community to coordinate all activities involving the program and families.

OPERATING PRINCIPLES

• Lifelong Learning: Seeks innovative opportunities to expand knowledge, skills, and experiences.
• Effective Communication: Provides well thought-out, concise, and timely oral and written information.
• Teamwork: Considers group effort more important than individual effort.
• High Personal Standards: Sets challenging goals and continuously seeks feedback and opportunities to improve performance.
• Flexibility: Accepts other viewpoints, shifts strategies if necessary, and adjusts to changing work priorities.
• Concern for Accuracy and Effectiveness: Considers how work impacts both short term and long-term operating efficiencies.
• Initiative: Is proactive rather than reactive.
• Courteous and Respectful: Ensures all business dealings and relationships are conducted fairly and honestly.
  
  
  

Duties/Responsibilities

May include the following:

• Ensure that all program policies, procedures and activities as defined in the Program Service Plans are followed
• Ensure that all children’s developmental, health, and nutrition screenings and documentation is completed and maintained according to agency policies and procedures
• Report all suspected Child Abuse to the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400 and to the Family Services Director
• Ensure that the physical environment in the center and each class is appropriate
• Ensure that all adult to child interactions in the center are positive, appropriate and respectful according to the Head Start Program (birth to 5) Guidance and Discipline Policies and Standards of Conduct and CLASS approach
• Ensure that developmentally appropriate curriculum is implemented in each class every day and that teacher lesson plans are maximizing instructional time, including afternoon instruction
• Ensure that each classroom is well managed and implementing Conscious Discipline protocols
• Ensure that nap and outdoor play times are in compliance with written procedures in the Education Procedure Manual
• Ensure that parents are actively engaged as partners in their children’s education. This includes planning and conducting monthly Parent/Child activities and Parent meetings, family needs assessment, family goals, and ensuring that home visits are conducted with each assigned on a caseload and documented according to the Program Service Plans
• Ensure that all documentation is completed and filed as directed in the Program Service Plans including but not limited to developmental and behavioral screenings, children’s files, family goals, and resource referrals, and parent communication in the Child Plus data management system or Learning Genie
• Assist with transporting families to dental, physical, and other appointments as needed.
• Support families in addressing needs (e.g., mental illness, substance abuse, disabilities, family violence) that affect their well-being, by referring them in coordination with the Head Start Management team, to community resources
• Work with Disability Coordinator to coordinate referrals and services for children with developmental delays
• Ensures timely follow up on child absences, tardiness and late pick-ups with home visits and support as specified in the program procedures
• Work with staff, families and community partners to support and guide transitions of children
• Work with ERSEA & Transitions Coordinator to assist in recruitment of eligible families
• Maintain funded and waitlist to maintain compliance with Head Start Performance Standards
• Create center wide communication: monthly newsletter, flyers for events and parent education opportunities
• Ensure that all agency policies and procedures are followed with regard to the purchasing of supplies, materials and equipment needed for the functioning of the center including but not limited to petty cash, the center inventory, agency credit cards and Purchase Orders
• Maintain good relationships with community partners including but not limited to community partners, local ISDs, ECI, public libraries, health care providers, and volunteers
• Work with all staff, parents and collaborating partners to make the transition of children into and out of the class an experience that is supportive of each child
• Assist with recruitment of parents to serve on the Policy Council
• Prepare staff schedules and assure that child-staff ratios and class size are maintained at all times
• Ensure that all staff and volunteers receive required on-site training, orientation, and documentation of volunteer hours and monthly record sheets are submitted
• Hold monthly staff meetings to provide training such as monthly mini-professional development lessons on CLASS
• Observe in each classroom at least twice per month using the Ongoing Classroom Monitoring Tool in Child Plus to document teacher’s compliance with all program expectations
• Timely assist staff in maintaining expected job performance through professional development and by following procedures outlined in the CAI Guidelines for Personnel regarding disciplinary action when needed
• Review, complete, and submit all employee documentation related to time and travel according to agency policies and procedures
• Be familiar with and maintain compliance with all standards including but not limited to the Program Service Plans, Head Start Performance Standards, and Texas Minimum Standards for Licensed Child Care Centers, State Department of Health Services, and local health, fire and safety agencies
• Attend all meetings as required and participate in professional growth opportunities
• Cooperate as a team by sharing information regularly and consistently with Family Services Director, Education Services Director, and staff of the collaborating agency; and filling in as needed and performing other duties as assigned
• Maintain CLASS Reliable certification and conduct observations as directed each fall and spring
• Supervise staff as assigned
• Arrive on time and work designated hours (unless otherwise specified by immediate supervisor)
• Flexibility with work schedule and location as needed based on program needs
• Enter attendance records into Child Plus data management system weekly and ensure that teaching staff follow the appropriate Attendance Policy regarding communication with the families regarding attendance. Report attendance concerns to ERSEA and Family Services Coordinators
• Reconcile petty cash box monthly and manage the allotted teacher appreciation and educational supply budget to ensure appropriate usage of funds
  
  
  

General Indicators:

• Submits time sheets accurately and on time to supervisor.
• Submits mileage accurately and on time to supervisor.
• Attends all staff and other meetings as assigned.
• Manages time effectively.
• Be a positive role model.
• Maintains confidentiality: records, client services, and staff.
• Adheres to agency's best practices related to time and leave.
• Dress is appropriate to work environment.
• Maintains professionalism.
• Maintains a safe, orderly and clean environment.
• Willing to work at alternative locations.
• All other duties as assigned.
  
  
  

Requirement/Qualifications

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in Child Development or Early Childhood Education
• 6 hours in business management
• Three years experience in a classroom with 0 - 5-year-old children
• Three years of supervisory experience in a licensed child care facility
• Ability to speak English and Spanish
  
  
  

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Interdisciplinary Studies (with specialization in any of the above)
  
  
  

OR

• Bachelor's degree in related field from an accredited college or university with 12 hours in child development
• One-year experience in a licensed child care facility
• One-year of supervisory or mentor experience in any setting
• One year of Case Management experience working directly with families
  
  
  

Physical Requirements:

• Be able to lift 25-30 pounds
• Be able to walk, run, squat, sit on floor, speak, hear, and see to ensure children's health and safety
  
  
  

Other Requirements:

• Daily access to transportation.
• Valid Texas Driver’s License-Class C
• Vehicle insurance (personal injury and liability)
• Basic PC computer skills including creating basic documents and utilizing electronic communication systems
• Must be flexible with hours.
• Criminal Background Check required for all Head Start staff at the agency's expense
• Fingerprinting required for all Head Start staff at the employee's expense
• Initial Health Exam required for all Head Start staff at the agency’s expense
• Initial and annual TB screening are required for all Head Start staff at the agency's expense
• Must be at least 21 years old