Head Start Operations Manager-160640

Head Start Operations Manager-160640

Salary

$91,989.41 - $137,984.12 Annually

Location

Pete Mirelez Human Services Center, 11860 Pecos Street, Westminster, CO

Job Type

Regular Full-time

Job Number

07666

Department

Human Services

Division

Head Start Fund

Opening Date

09/21/2026

Closing Date

10/12/2026 4:30 PM Mountain

Our Mission

To responsibly serve the Adams County community with integrity and innovation.

EEO

Adams County is an equal opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status or any other legally protected characteristic.

Position classification

Hybrid -- Job duties and expectations allow for onsite and remote work scheduled every week. Employees in this classification are regularly scheduled onsite one (1) to four (4) days per week based on the County needs and as determined by Department Director. Hybrid classified roles can be onsite more than the set minimum based on employee preference.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

What Success Looks Like In This Job

Direct, manage, supervise, and coordinate the programs and activities of the Adams County Head Start Program within the Human Services Department. Coordinate assigned activities with other County departments, divisions, and outside agencies. Provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Human Services Department Director.

Examples of Duties for Success

• Assume oversight for all services and activities of the Adams County Head Start Program.
• Provide support to and develop the Head Start Policy Council to ensure e?ective development of policies, long term goals, sta? hiring, selection criteria, and involvement of parents in a shared decision-making model.
• Manage and participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs including Education, Health, Nutrition, Disability, and Family Support; recommend, within Departmental policy, appropriate service, and sta?ng levels; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate the e?ciency and e?ectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement and review with the Human Services Division Deputy Director; direct the implementation of improvements.
• Select, train, motivate, and evaluate Head Start Program personnel; provide or coordinate sta? training; work with employees to correct de?ciencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
• Plan, direct, coordinate, and review the strategy for the Head Start Program; meet with sta? to identify and resolve problems; assign work activities, projects, and programs; monitor work?ow; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures.
• Manage and participate in the development and administration of the Head Start Program annual budget; direct the forecast of additional funds needed for sta?ng, equipment, materials, and supplies; direct the monitoring of and approve expenditures; direct and implement adjustments as necessary; write grant applications.
• Serve as liaison for the Head Start Program with other County departments, divisions, and outside agencies.
• Provide responsible sta? assistance to the Human Services DivisionDeputy Director; prepare and present sta? reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Conduct a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommend modi?cations to Head Start programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Participate on a variety of boards and commissions; attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the ?eld of educational administration.
• Maintain current and comprehensive knowledge of regulations overseeing the program, including the Head Start Act, Child Care licensing regulations, and rules and memos issued by state and federal agencies.
• Respond to and resolve di?cult and sensitive inquiries and complaints.
• Attend and participate in sta? meetings and program events as requested.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as required.

Qualifications for Success

• Knowledge of operational characteristics, services, and activities of a Head Start program.
• Knowledge of organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs.
• Knowledge of advanced principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
• Knowledge of principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Knowledge of pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Knowledge of computerized information systems.
• Knowledge of government practices and policies.
• Operate modern o?ce equipment including computer equipment.
• Manage, direct, and coordinate the work of management, supervisory, professional, and technical personnel.
• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate sta?.
• Provide administrative and professional leadership and direction for the Head Start Program.
• Recommend and implement goals, objectives, and practices for providing e?ective and e?cient Head Start Program services.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets.
• Prepare clear and concise administrative and ?nancial reports.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, and project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Interpret and apply Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Communicate and work with low income and diverse parent groups.
• Learn and apply the policies/procedures of the Head Start program and Head Start Performance Standards.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

More Qualifications for Success

Experience: Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in education or human services programs including two (2) years of administrative and supervisory responsibility.

Education and Training: Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university.

License or Certi?cate: Possession of, or the ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid drivers license.

• A Motor Vehicle record check will be conducted.

Background Check:

• Must pass multiple criminal background checks.
• Must also pass FBI background check and Central Registry check.
• A ?ngerprint may be conducted.

Other:

• Must complete physical examination and TB test upon hire.
• Ability to obtain, maintain, and ensure continued access to State and County systems in strict compliance with all applicable county and state regulations, policies, and user agreements.

Adams County and the 17th Judicial District Attorneys Office complies with Colorado's Job Application Fairness Act ("JAFA"). JAFA prohibits employers from asking individuals to disclose their age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation on an initial employment application. However, additional application materials such as certifications and transcripts containing this information may be required for certain positions; if such additional materials are requested, applicants may redact information that identifies the applicant's age, date of birth, or dates or attendance or graduation.

Adams County provides a comprehensive benefits package to employees that goes above and beyond what is offered at most organizations.

Benefits You Expect:

• AFLAC Supplemental Medical Insurance
• Basic Term Life & Optional Term Life Insurance
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Dental/Vision/Medical Plans
• Generous Vacation/Sick leave
• Long-Term Disability
• Retirement Plan
• Short-Term Disability

Plus some you might not expect:

• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Fitness Center
• Employee Health Clinics
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Recreation Center Discounts
• Training & Tuition Reimbursement Programs
• Wellness programs
• Lactation friendly certified workplace

01

Please be aware that your cover letter and resume will not be accessed in the initial screening process, so you must complete your application and supplemental questions with as much detail as possible. Any personally identifiable information (PII) such as name and address will be redacted from applications that meet the minimum screening requirements and are forwarded to the hiring manager. If the hiring manager selects you to advance in the hiring process, your cover letter and resume will then be accessible to the hiring team. Information provided on the application is used to determine if a candidate meets minimum qualifications. Only information provided at the time of the application being completed will be considered and additional information that is not listed on the application will not be considered when deciding if a candidate meets or does not meet the qualifications. Applicants are STRONGLY encouraged to include all information and details on their application. I understand and agree that only information provided at the time of my application will be used to determine if I meet the minimum requirements for this position.

• Yes, I understand and agree
• Yes, I understand but disagree.

02

Adams County Head Start receives funding from the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Does your participation in community/state partnerships or do you have personal ties that can create a conflict of interest that could impact the program's CACFP funding source?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess at least four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in education or human services programs, including two (2) years of administrative and supervisory responsibility?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you possess a Bachelors Degree or higher from an accredited college or university?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you possess, or are you able to obtain, an appropriate and valid driver's license? A motor vehicle record check will be conducted.

• Yes
• No

06

Head Start administration requires constantly balancing high-stakes compliance deadlines with unexpected daily operational issues. Please describe a specific situation where you had to manage competing, time-sensitive priorities. How did you organize your workload, decide what to delegate or adjust, and ensure key goals were still met?

07

Program quality relies on maintaining strict alignment with Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS). Describe a time when you identified an area of non-compliance, operational inefficiency, or program deficit. What specific steps did you take to correct the issue and sustain improvement?

08

Retention and staff morale are critical to sustaining early childhood programs. Share a specific example of a strategy or practice you implemented to support, retain, or rebuild morale within a team facing high stress or changing demands. What was the impact?

Required Question

Employer Adams County

Address 4430 S. Adams County Parkway, Suite C4000B

Brighton, Colorado, 80601-8213

Website http://www.adamscountyco.gov/careers