Assistant Director of Early Childhood Services

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Assistant Director acts as Interim Director of Early Childhood Service in his/her absence. Responsibilities include providing supervision/management support to the Director of Early Childhood Services in the overall operations of the Early Childhood program consistent with agency policies, federal regulations, applicable laws and required funding source guidelines.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Supervise daily program operations to ensure Early Childhood program goals and objectives are implemented successfully and that the Head Start philosophy continues to thrive.
2. Assists the Director ECH with programmatic problem resolution.
3. Assists with the administration of program personnel policies and practices as they relate to the Early Childhood program to ensure efficient program operation.
4. Brings suggestions, ideas, concerns, and grievances to the attention of the Director.
5. May suspend personnel for unsatisfactory behavior/performance with the concurrence of the Director of ECH, in consultation with the HR Manager.
6. Serves as a role model for employees, children, parents, clients, and community partners.
7. Maintains good work habits through timeliness and low absenteeism.
8. Develops and maintains a positive, professional working relationship with the staff, clients, and community.
9. Knowledge of SEK-CAP Inc, policy and procedures, performance standards, and Kansas state licensing regulations.
10. Understands, accepts, implements, and promotes SEK-CAP, Inc. Mission Statement, program goals, philosophy and objectives.
11. Participates in new hire interviews subject to the approval of the Policy Council.
12. Supervise Program Managers, Lead Instructional Coach, Mental Health Manager, Employment Services Manager, Curriculum Manager, Professional Development Coordinator, Curriculum Manager, and other staff as assigned by the Director of Early Childhood Services.
13. Brings staff suggestions, ideas, concerns, and grievances to the attention of the Director.
14. In consultation and coordination with the Human Resources Manager, participates in the investigation and resolution of ongoing Early Childhood employee relations problems with input from the Director of EC, provides guidance to assigned staff whose performance does not meet the job standards for the program.
15. Assists with administering corrective actions and/or discipline as outlined in the SEK-CAP, Inc. Personnel Policy and Procedures Handbook.
16. Completes performance evaluations for assigned staff as outlined in the SEK-CAP, Inc. Personnel Policy and Procedures Handbook
17. Coordinates with HR to keep Early Childhood employee/ applicant / hire/ termination/ records up to date.
18. Participates in employee orientations (new hire and staff), and any other staff training as requested by the Director of EC.
19. Assists the Director in preparation and direction of program/department/policy council meetings.
20. Maintains a communication network with staff to provide necessary, accurate and up-to-date information.
21. Participates in community activities to develop opportunities to serve clients and promote agency goals.
22. Attends all required/assigned local and out-of-town Early Childhood and/or agency functions, training and staff meetings locally, out of town and state.
23. Visits agency sites to evaluate the effectiveness of the services being provided as requested by the Director of EC and required by federal regulations and funding sources guidelines.
24. Assists in maintaining an effective program of public relations.
25. Assists with the preparation and submission of the Head Start grant application as required by applicable federal statutes, regulations and administration practices including proposals for modification(s) as necessary.
26. Assists the Director of EC with budget preparation, fund allocation, costs control, and participates in the periodic review.
27. Supervises inventory of property and makes recommendations of equipment, supplies, consulting services, etc.
28. In conjunction with the Property Manager Ensures that all Early Childhood centers and equipment are safe and provide a healthy environment consistent with all applicable Local/State codes and community standards.
29. Ensures preparations of and/or supervises the preparation of required program component reports are reviewed and submitted to the Director of Early Childhood in a timely manner for management team meetings.
30. Coordinates the planning and updating of program plans with Component Managers.
31. Participates in on-going self and program assessment in order to enhance personal skill and program development/improvement.
32. Participates in workshops, in-service training, as well as, other personal and professional growth opportunities.
33. Assure program goals and objectives are implemented that support Head Start Performance Standards
34. Provide leadership, which promotes harmony with the agencys strategic priorities and organizational values
35. Participate in establishing goals that support the Head Start Program Performance Standards, Best Practice, the agency mission, philosophy, and vision
36. Responsible for contract development and management as assigned by Director EC.
37. Ensure development and maintenance of resources including training opportunities
38. Provide data analysis of quality and impact of program
39. Identify programmatic barriers that prohibit optimal development of parents as their childs teacher and aid in the development of strategies to remove those barriers
40. Ensure ongoing recruitment of eligible families
41. Approve purchase orders and EWS timesheets for payroll
42. Ability to work unconventional business hours
43. Utilize Positive Behavior Support (PBS) strategies to prevent and defuse disruptive behavior
44. Comply with Head Start Program Performance Standards
45. Report any suspected abuse or neglect to appropriate authority
46. Advocate for Head Start in the community
47. Maintain and assure confidentiality and privacy of SEK-CAP, Inc. customers
48. Uphold and promote the core values and mission statement of SEK-CAP, Inc.
49. Support management decisions both in actions and words
50. Carries out all other assignments to meet the goals and objectives of the SEK-CAP, Inc

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Essential:

1. Budget preparation and management
2. Personnel administration and staff supervision
3. Program development activities and community relations
4. Program Planning, Assessment, and Evaluation
5. Knowledge of office skills which includes the following, but not limited to: Computer, Word, Windows, PowerPoint, etc. Typing, filing, faxing, calculator and record keeping.
6. Prefer knowledge of outcomes-based management practices.
7. Ability to establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with co-workers, community partners, and customers
8. Familiar with theories and principles of child development and early childhood education services
9. Ability to work flexible and/or nontraditional wok hours.
10. Knowledge and understanding of Head Start Performance Standards, state, and federal regulations relevant to the Head Start Program 0-5
11. Committed to the concept of helping children and families to become self-sufficient
12. Superior interpersonal skills. Ability to get along with diverse personalities; tactful, mature, and flexible
13. Ability to meet and deal tactfully with the general public and to communicate effectively and clearly both orally and in writing
14. Resourceful and well organized
15. Effective supervisory skills that promotes a positive and productive environment for staff
16. Respect and support cultural differences and diverse family structures
17. Demonstrate good work habits such as punctual and dependable in meeting work and adhering to appropriate break times
18. Ability to learn and adapt

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelors degree in Education, preferably Early Childhood, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field from a traditional four-year regionally accredited college or university and three (3) years of related work experience.
2. Five to seven years of experience working in Early Childhood Education with preference given to Head Start/Early Head Start experience.
3. Five years of supervisory experience
4. Possess current, valid drivers license and be insurable by the organizations motor vehicle insurance carrier
5. Submit to and pass standard criminal history check
6. Submit to and pass standard drug screen test
7. Obtain First Aid and CPR certification
8. Successfully complete a physical exam and TB screening prior to employment and every three years there after

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