POSITION SUMMARY The Interim Director of Early Childhood Education (Head Start/Early Head Start Director) is responsible for assuring all the Head Start/Early Head Start program mandates and standards for excellence are met daily. This position develops the structure, systems, and procedures to facilitate this. In addition to operating responsibility for the program's fiscal, legal, and programmatic aspects, it assures that the program is strategically positioned for the future. Ensures goals and objectives are accomplished within the prescribed timelines and funding parameters. Develops and executes fundraising and in-kind contribution plans, including grant writing, by performing the following duties personally or through subordinates. At the discretion of the Interim Director of Early Childhood Education, with the approval of the CEO, some responsibilities may be delegated to subordinate staff. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Reasonable Accommodation Statement To perform this job successfully, an individual must perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. Essential Functions Statement: Level of Performance The employee in this position must provide strong leadership for the personnel assigned to the program. Employee uses the authority of position to make independent decisions regarding program development and execution of program plans, human resource planning and development, and allocating financial resources as needed to achieve annual and strategic objectives. Incumbent is expected to closely assess program activities and staff performance, ensuring appropriate systems are in place, and that the program is in full compliance with employment laws, grant conditions and agency policies. Employee makes sound recommendations to CEO based on program performance, expenses, current or projected environmental and political circumstances, etc. Employee implements and continuously practices within a sound framework of agency policies, compliances and quality improvement initiatives. The employee is responsible for obtaining sufficient funding through the award of grant dollars, donations, and in-kind. Monitors expenses to ensure program costs remain reasonable and within approved budget. Adjusts spending as needed or proposes revisions to budget to accommodate accelerated spending, reduced income and budget management issues. Employee is expected to plan, organize and supervise development of strategic and annual goals. Work is customer oriented. Employee must actively support agency goal in operating programs of excellence. Active and full participation on the Senior Leadership Team is anticipated. It assures compliance with all funding source mandates and all applicable laws and regulations and ensures that standards exceeding the minimum are being met.
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. Supervisory Responsibilities The position is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the Head Start and Early Head Start Programs. The Interim Director carries out supervisory and leadership responsibilities in accordance with Action Pathways' policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing employee complaints and resolving problems; interviewing, selecting, and recommending for hire, separation, promotion, and change in status all employees. Disclaimer The duties and responsibilities herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of a person in this position. The CEO may assign related duties. SKILLS & ABILITIES Education: Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Education Administration, Social Work, or related field required. Experience: Ten years of management experience in an early childhood education environment. Experience in staff supervision, fiscal management, and administration is required. Head Start/Early Head Start management experience is required. Teaching experience is a plus. Employee must have extensive experience in North Carolina Child Care Licensing Regulations, Head Start Regulations, and Performance Standards. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Computer Skills The position requires knowledge of Internet software, preparation of Excel spreadsheets, and extensive word processing skills. The employee must be able to learn program-specific ChildPlus software within 90 days of employment, including retrieving data for review and preparing reports. Certificates & Licenses The employee is responsible for obtaining and keeping current all certifications, licenses, health cards, etc., at all times. Employee must have a valid driver's license and own transportation. The employee must have an annual physical examination and TB test indicating negative results or free from TB. Other Requirements Employee must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, able to effectively communicate with a diverse group in both oral and written form. Leadership and management skills must be suitable for overseeing the staff and operations of a comprehensive quality child and family service program. Employee must have a working knowledge of public and private organizations, funding sources, and government regulations. This position requires a clear and complete understanding of the Head Start philosophy and the ability to implement its principle of shared authority and decision-making. Employee must be able to travel to attend important meetings in the county, state and region. STANDARDS OF CONDUCT Employee must recognize and be sensitive to the cultural, ethnic, and social diversity among the population served and the community at large. Employee must maintain strict confidentiality. Individual must be tactful and courteous when representing the agency with the general public. Employee must be committed to continuous quality and performance improvement. The employee is expected to become familiar with program policies that affect the areas of operation under the control of this position and to implement such policies in a manner that ensures best practices are used. AT-WILL STATEMENT This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. Action Pathways, Inc. is an “at-will” employer. Either the employee or Action Pathways, Inc. may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause. SAFETY POLICIES AND PRACTICES The employee must be knowledgeable about and follow the agency’s safety policies and procedures as described throughout agency written program plans, standard operating procedures, and personnel policies. 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 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 regularly required to use hands and fingers to operate computers and other office machines; and to talk with or listen to a variety of people. Physical Demands Stand O (Occasionally) Walk O (Occasionally) Sit F (Frequently) Handling / Fingering F (Frequently)
Other Physical Requirements Vision (Near, Color) WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Work is generally in a moderate office environment. The noise level may be elevated on visits to Head Start Centers and when making presentations in other locales. Action Pathways, Inc. has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment. Action Pathways, Inc. reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform as the agency may deem appropriate. |