Head Start Child Development Program
Bilingual (Spanish/English) Pay Differential Available
Hours: 40 hours/week
Lead the daily operations of an Early Head Start Center, ensuring a safe, compliant, and well-maintained environment. Supervise staff, support children and families, and ensure Head Start standards and timelines are met.
POSITION OVERVIEW
This position is responsible for the overall, day-to-day operation of a Head Start Child Development Center. Primary responsibilities include ensuring the facility is safe, clean, and well-maintained as well as ensures the Center is operated in compliance with all applicable regulations, policies and procedures. Additional key responsibilities include the supervision of site staff and the planning and evaluation of services for children and families served by the Center. Ensures that Head Start Performance Standards and timelines are met.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Operations and Compliance
- Directs and oversees the daily operations of a center-based program ensuring it operates in compliance with the requirements of Community Care Licensing, Head Start Performance Standards, and NCO policies and procedures.
- Assures that all required site services are provided.
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Acts as the primary contact regarding site security.
Health, Safety and Facilities
- Responsible for the health and safety of children enrolled at the site while under our care.
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Responsible for ensuring the timely maintenance and the cleanliness of the center facility and playground; serves as liaison with landlord/school district.
Staff Supervision and Leadership
- Supervises and evaluates site staff with input from coordinators, specialists and program managers, as needed and in accordance with NCO and program policies and procedures.
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Plans and facilitates weekly site staff meetings; promotes regular and timely communication within the site and provides leadership in managing conflicts.
- Monitors work hours of site employees and approve timecards in a timely manner; maintains on-site personnel files as required by Community Care Licensing and program policies and procedures.
- Serves as a substitute in the classroom and kitchen, as needed, and covers breaks for teaching staff.
- Participate in regular reflective supervision sessions and self-assessment to promote ongoing professional development.
- Actively participates in planning, decision-making, and problem-solving responsibilities with other staff and families.
- Works to improve the consistency and effectiveness of collaboration between HS service areas.
Curriculum, Inclusion & Child Outcomes
- Collaborates with staff to foster positive teacher-child interactions by supporting developmentally appropriate, inclusive, and language-rich environments.
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Model Positive Behavior Supports in working with adults and children.
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Support curriculum fidelity and promotes school readiness outcomes.
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Coordinates referrals for children with suspected disabilities in collaboration with the Education, Disabilities, Mental Health team.
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Facilitates Site Team, Support Team, and Case management meetings for children and families.
Family & Community Engagement
- Actively coordinates and participates in ongoing community outreach and recruitment efforts.
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Supports parents/guardians, substitutes, and other volunteers in the classroom, including orientation, supervision, and ongoing guidance.
Fiscal & Administrative Oversight
- Orders site supplies and monitors budget expenditures.
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Coordinates carpooling and transportation of staff to in-service training sessions and meetings.
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Monitors and ensures that site staff maintain current and valid auto insurances, including timely renewals in the Paycom module.
General
- Responsible for program recruitment of children and families.
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Responsible for generating, collecting and documenting Non-Federal Share Match.
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Attend scheduled meetings, trainings and conferences as necessary; this may include occasional driving when located off site.
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Must complete 15 hours of professional development annually.
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For bilingual employees, perform all job duties utilizing dual language ability as necessary to provide optimum support and services for clients and HSCDP staff.
- Other duties as assigned or required.
Essential Work Habits
- Align work behaviors in conformance with Head Start STRONG and NCO’s Purpose, Vision and Values.
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Report to work on time and obtain approval from supervisor for any changes in work schedule or absences.
- Maintain a strict commitment to confidentiality, in accordance with Agency and program policies and procedures.
- Follow the NCO Injury Illness and Prevention Plan, as well as all Agency and program safety protocols, procedures, and policies.
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Maintain focus on the assigned tasks.
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Take pride in creating a positive, efficient work environment.
- Treat co-workers and clients with respect.
- Represent NCO and its programs to the community in a positive light.
- Dress appropriately according to assigned job duties and responsibilities.
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Adapt constructively to change.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education, Training and Experience:
The following education and/or experience criteria are required to qualify for the designated level
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Level I - Associate degree from an accredited school in Child Development/Early Childhood Education (CDV/ ECE) or related field***
- Level II - Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school in Child Development/Early Childhood Education (ECE/CDV) or related field***
***Must have 24 CDV/ECE core units, 6 administration, and 2 adult supervision units (Core courses include child/human growth & development; child/family/community or child and family relations; and programs/curriculum).
- Must have 3 Infant/Toddler CDV/ECE core units (EHS site only)
- A minimum of two years of early childhood classroom experience and one year of staff supervision experience is required.
- At least two years’ experience working with low-income families is preferred.
- Group facilitation skills and experience preferred.
License & Certifications:
- Must hold or qualify for and maintain current California Department of Education (CDE) Site Supervisor Permit or higher.
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Must have a minimum of 15 hours of Preventive Child Health and Safety training and maintain a current Infant and Child CPR First Aid certification or complete these requirements within 3 months of being hired.
- Maintain current driver’s license and insurance.
Note: Employee is responsible for renewing and maintaining certifications at all times.
Knowledge of:
- Principles and practices of Early Childhood Education/Child Development.
- Principles and practices of effective interpersonal communications.
- CA Licensing regulations (Title 22/ Title 5) preferred.
- Head Start Performance Standards preferred.
- Practice Based Coaching preferred.
- Computer operations as relates to the duties of the position; position requires demonstrated proficiency in the use of word processing, email, and spreadsheet programs and the internet.
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Excellent time management skills.
Ability to:
- Monitor implementation of age-appropriate curriculum for groups and individuals, including children with disabilities.
- Collaborate with coordinators, specialists, and program managers to provide and support staff training needs.
- Prepare and deliver presentations in a variety of settings using audience appropriate methods and technologies.
- Train and facilitate small‑ to medium sized groups of adults.
- Communicate effectively and appropriately in spoken and written English; bilingual ability (English/Spanish) preferred.
- Understand and carry out oral and written instructions accurately.
- Interact with others in a culturally responsive and emotionally appropriate manner.
- Demonstrate emotional maturity, stability, tact, and the ability to provide professional leadership.
- Maintain cooperative, professional working relationships with staff, children, and families.
- Work effectively both independently and as a collaborative team member.
- Follow established guidelines for handling confidential information and documents.
- Organize, prioritize, and manage duties with minimal supervision to meet established deadlines.
- Efficiently produce high-quality work while managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- Meet deadlines related to required monitoring and reporting documents.
- Maintain a flexible schedule to attend work-related events and professional development activities as needed.
- Accurately collect, analyze, and maintain data, including short-term data entry, to inform training practices and improve educational outcomes.
- Acquire and maintain required and ongoing professional training.
- Motivate, engage with, and work effectively with children, parents, and adults from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
Necessary Special Skills & Requirements:
WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, listen, communicate clearly, and supervise staff.
- The employee frequently is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, use manual and automatic office equipment, and reach with hands and arms.
- The employee is frequently required to stand; bend; reach down and stretch overhead; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
- The employee may frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds unassisted and may occasionally move and lift heavier materials with assistance using ergonomic guidelines.
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Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
- The ability to travel during the day and/or night, sometimes long distance – possession of a valid California Driver’s License and access to an insured vehicle is required.
- Interaction and contact with outside agencies, vendors, funders, volunteers, donors and contributors is a frequent aspect of this job.
- The employee will regularly use computers and computer printers, telephones, and other similar electronic office equipment.
- The environment can be noisy and includes the comings and goings of small children and their families.
- The employee may occasionally use kitchen equipment and implements that can be heavy, hot or sharp; as well as cleaning and sanitizing products.
Note: This class specification should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It is intended to identify the core essential functions and requirements of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Any essential function or requirement of this class will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent/applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)or California FEHA. Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent/applicant when possible.
