Senior Director of Head Start Early Childhood Services

Job Description: Job Goal: As Eastern Oregon’s largest nonprofit dedicated to Early Childhood Care & Education, the Senior Director ensures our Head Start/Early Head Start & Oregon Prekindergarten efforts align with best practice, understanding that we are pivotal stewards whose early learning resources and assets are meant to be shared. This charismatic and caring leader will build and lead with a collaborative spirit that contributes to high level outcomes and continued investment in early learning. Key to this position includes responsibilities to support UMHS’ activities and efforts to identify, develop, cultivate, and sustain special program innovation, initiatives and working in close partnership with the CEO around strategic partnerships that further UMHS’ position as a recognized leader in early childhood services and supportive programming in serving families, communities, nonprofit and funding relationships across Eastern Oregon and UMHS service areas. This position is responsible for all functions of a thriving Head Start‐Early Head Start‐Early Head Start Child Care Partnership/Oregon Pre‐Kindergarten Program serving over 500 children and families in eight counties and in 23 locations. This position is an exciting opportunity to lead a dedicated team committed to best practices around Early Learning, Health, and Family Well‐Being. This position works collaboratively with local School Districts, Early Learning Hubs, and key public & oral health, parent education and mental health partners to ensure sound financial management, compliance with funder requirements, and long‐term planning to ensure school readiness and child well‐being additionally, the Senior Director develops and fosters a workplace that values and supports a culturally diverse work environment and its employees, volunteers, and partners. Essential Responsibilities:Program AdministrationDevelop and implement program policies and procedures; soliciting staff and community members’ participation in setting policy and implementing/developing tools for evaluationDevelop long‐range plans to meet set goals and objectives, including launching new innovative strategies like Dual Language Learner classrooms, mixed mode, age or duration specific models, and therapeutic offeringsWork in concert with other UMHS staff to coordinate facilities management and operations; budgetary and financial reporting; recruitment/ training/supervision/evaluation of staff, volunteer & partner coordination; and community outreachEnsure all services are provided in concert with performance standards, established laws & contract requirements in a fiscally responsible manner with established outputs that lead to stated outcomesEnsure complete program related audit preparation and audit performance results are successfulEnsure alignment with Federal monitoring requirements; accurately interpret, input, navigate & share data into the Head Start Enterprise System (HSES), and current Program Information Reports (PIR).Coordinate key activities, from vision to implementation, working closely with the Chief Executive Officer to maintain an inclusive, productive, and positive organizational culture centered around identified Key Responsibility AreasTrack, review, and report concerns and complaints, identifying models of resolution at varying levels of the organization; tracking formally challenges and strategies for mitigation while informing relevant DirectorsHelp develop leadership competencies and opportunities for ECE career development for staff, parents, volunteers and community including universities/colleges and high schoolsInspire and develop a practice of engaging volunteers in critical support functions in the field; increasing volunteer engagement In partnership with the Education component, identify coverage solutions in a tiered fashion for addressing and managing absences of staff such that work product/reports can be efficiently completedMonitor classroom dosage, attendance, and other benchmarks to ensure we remain accountable to the plan and study the impacts, changing course as needed through data informed processesAssist program’s movement towards automation, migrating to paperless systems that allow for distance monitoring and supports in place including record keepingHelp facilitate a responsive inter and intra‐agency referral and case staffing processFacilitate system level response that helps cultivate lowest level effective decision‐making for timely response to activity in the field, continuing investment in building leadership acumen of staff and parents throughout the organizationFoster the development of policies and procedures that simplify, and succinctlyfacilitatebest practice in a braided,collaborativeand integrated fashion while thwarting bureaucratic malaise as wegrowSpecial InitiativesSupport UMHS’ activities and efforts to identify, develop, cultivate and sustain strategic program and organization partnerships with the CEORespond, develop, and create special program opportunities that include innovation and initiatives that further UMHS has a leader in its service area in early childhood and learning care and programmingMeet with and maintain positive relationships with funding partners and program collaborators to further program and special initiatives and goalsCollaborate and support CEO in maintaining relationships with identified partners and peers including government officials and as identifiedPartner with the CEO and contribute to plans that further innovate models, positioning and impact in service areas and delivery Program Leadership &CommunicationSupport an integrated, multi‐program service delivery continuum with braided resources in manner that helps the organization achieve more stellar program, component, agency, and community outcomesDemonstrate sound problem solving and risk management skills that prevent, and when necessary, address deficiencies often encountered by Head Start and Early Head Start grantees.Foster an environment of respect that welcomes every individual and that fosters a supportive staff environment.Delegate responsibilities as appropriate and encourage staff initiative.Ensure that HS/EHS/EHSCCP is represented in the neighboring community and with social service providers and government agenciesDevelop relationships with key leaders in Early learning at local, regional, state & national level, attending Oregon Head Start Association meetings as requiredEstablish and maintain positive relationships and collaborations with public school districts, systems of higher education, and other community agencies and partners Attend and facilitate interagency organizational and planning meetings as required, assisting in creating a culture of accountability by componentDesign and deliver formal presentations that effectively engage and uphold agency values and servicesProvide regular formal presentations to parents, staff, Policy Council, Board and community groups to provide information and ensure collaborationShare outcome reports on program performance to Board & Policy Council, funding partners including the Early Learning Division, the Office of Head Start, and other community forums such as Early Learning HubsTake lead on horizontal & vertical internal program communications regarding systems functioning and take a lead role in a team context in external communications with the express goal of engaging the community in early learning initiatives and supportWorkforce Development & Professional DevelopmentProvide guidance, direction and high‐level general oversight of deliverables and results‐oriented outcomes while consistently and appropriately delegating performance of logistics and task‐oriented responsibilities to other staff and departments.Provide training and technical assistance to the Head Start & ECE teams enhancing employee professional growth and development by motivating, encouraging, and supporting staff and team members to become self‐sufficient and able to work independently with limited or no direct supervision from Director.Working with Community Services & Program Director and Family Services Manager toidentifythe critical relational, technical, andperformance-basedcompetenciesrequiredfor peak performance; helping develop a crosswalk between recruitment, interview/reference questions, & references and potential training contexts thatfacilitaterecruitment & retention of a qualifiedworkforceEnsure performance appraisals are aligned with core competencies and that basic training is timely, practical, engaging, impactful, applied, and sharedWith Education team, co‐facilitate onboarding process of employees for maximum effectiveness, cultivating a shadowing procedure with the Component Directors for exposure and critical dialogues to mentor professional development in natural work settingsContribute to the development of toolkits and training that effectively prepare new staff and motivates senior ECE Practitioners through engaging and effective strategies using diverse adult learning techniquesMaintain appropriate separation between direction to perform work and actual performance of tasks assigned to others to eliminate redundancies and inefficiencies in workflow, and to ensure fiscally responsible use of UMHS funds and resources.Coach, develop and improve employee performance through effective communication, documentation and feedback, performance assessments, review without rework, and other positive performance management strategies designed to increase individual productivity, accountability,engagementand overall team performanceParticipate in relevant personnel decisions in accord with existing protocols & ensure approval of the Policy CouncilDelegate responsibilities as necessary to theappropriate staff & monitoroutcomesEnsure staff awareness of program policies andproceduresLead responsibility for the Parent/Family PolicyCouncilResponsible for the annual Policy Council Orientation, preparing for and attending all Policy Council Meetings Facilitate PC subcommitteesPromote family involvement in center level activities resulting in sustained recruitment & retention of PC members and alumniFacilitate parent leadership development through the Leadership Pathway process while ensuring agency staff and the system effectively recruits and supports parent leadersBe responsible for the development of the monthly Policy Council report ensuring that it meets all federal requirementsEnsure that a formal Policy Council book includes announcements, agendas, minutes, training, and membershipEnsure Policy Council representation and involvement on agency committees is aligned with Guiding PrinciplesFiscal & Grant ManagementEnsure that federal HeadStart/EHS and State OPK grant applications are submitted in a timely mannerResearch and investigate potential grant opportunities and author grants as requiredReview and facilitate Contract development and review as required agency protocolParticipate in the development of the budgets for maximum leverage of resources & effectivenessIn partnership, oversee fiscal operations for large budgets including monitoring financial statements; approve expenditures; identify revenue streams; monitor match requirements and provide inputEnsure timely invoicing and reporting to funding sources, following required notificationsAccurately interpret financial statements and provide explanations for any variancesIdentify the financial implications of proposed policies and activityGuideandmonitorOperation’steameffortstosecurefacilitiesthatmeetlicensingandfallwithinbest practice and strategic plan standardsHelp facilitate and monitor receipt of subsidy, USDA and in‐kind/match requirements in partnership with identified team membersEnsure expenditures align with prioritized needs and roles and outcomes as identified in the strategic plan and budgetAdvocacy and Community OutreachResponsible for developing and safe keeping a workplace which values, supports, attracts, and retains a culturally diverse work environment Ensure transportation resources are deployed to most in need populations, analyzing and evaluating impacts on attendance and family engagementBalance and communicate multiple initiatives in manner that allows easy alignment with agency/community efforts with focus and without overwhelmSupport the access of Systems Navigation tools and Parent Education opportunities in a collaborative fashionPromote Kinder Bridge and School Readiness efforts throughout the year, fostering a P‐20 perspective that sets children and families up to thriveHelp develop materials that embed our ‘core story/ in materials and marketingEnsure compliance with federal performance standards and best practice initiatives underway and fostered within the agencyEnsure that the Head Start, Early Head Start, and Early Head Start CCP program content areas meet full compliancePlay lead role in the guidance of ERSEA responsibilities, assuring the agency is set on a course for full enrollment and appropriate documentationEnsure collaborative processes for identification of clients’ special needs (incl. disabilities, health/mental health/behavioral, etc.) are effective and rapid in response and demonstrate best practice follow throughAssist Component areas in meeting needs of children and families in best practice fashion, identifying and establishing systems for continuous program improvementsPromote parent involvement/engagement in available activities & supports, fostering a multi‐ generational approach from outreach toexitEnsure accountability and enforce deadlines for program reports, projects, and timetablesVisit all facilities on a twice-yearly basis, with a keen eye for areas of strength that can be celebrated and replicated General Staff Responsibilities:Participate in staff meetings, conferences, training sessions and workshops as assigned  Demonstrate familiarity with employment policies, performance standards, work plan and objectives of Agency  Maintain congenial and respectful relations with staff, children, families and community  Keep current andaccuraterecords and file reports on time  Maintain confidentiality regarding staff and family information  Maintain objectives and professional standards  Improve self‐skills and education  Fulfill role as mandated reporter asstatedin Child Abuse and Neglect Policy  Be present at work to provide consistency of services  Be a contributory team member in a positive/productive manner  Demonstrate commitment to mission, values, and policies in the performance of daily duties  And or any other duties deemed necessary by your supervisor  Education Requirements:Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, or a related field Experience and Skills Requirements:At least seven to ten years of professional leadership/management and supervisory experience preferably in an educational nonprofit.Recent demonstration of exposure too experience with clas