- Position Type:
CREC Early Childhood Education
- Location:
CREC Head Start South
JOB DESCRIPTION
Since 1966, the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) has been dedicated to providing innovative, high-quality, and cost-effective educational programs and services to meet the diverse needs of children and adults in Greater Hartford. Serving 33 member districts and reaching additional communities statewide, CREC supports approximately 12,000 students annually through more than 120 educational programs. Our offerings include professional learning and coaching for educators, specialized programming for students with diverse needs, and PreK-12 education across 16 interdistrict magnet schools. Additionally, CREC provides school construction, operations, and cooperative business services, while also delivering programs that help adults build real, job-ready skills.
POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the direction of the Assistant Director of Program Services, the Head Start Health Specialist supports the preventative and ongoing health, nutrition and dental health care of the children in Head Start and Early Head Start. The Health Specialist monitors documentation of children's preventive health care, including dental exams, physical examinations, screenings, and immunizations; Is responsible for the direction, planning, organization, and management of health service; Monitors the implementation of state and federal health and safety requirements described in the Head Start Program Performance Standards; Provides student, parent, and staff education in health and safety practices; Supervises and evaluates the performance of the Nutrition Coordinator and oversees content implementation.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manage all of the Head Start and Early Head Start requirements in the areas of health, and safety. Oversee the implementation of Nutrition services performed by the Nutrition Coordinator.
- Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal requirements relating to health, safety, and nutrition as outlined in the Head Start Program Performance Standards.
- Ensure each Early Head Start and Head Start child is up-to-date on a schedule of age-appropriate preventive and primary medical and oral health care, based on: the well-child visits and dental periodicity schedules as prescribed by the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program for the State of CT.
- Coordinate and oversee the development and implementation of individual health and nutrition plans for children.
- Review the medical history of every child applicant to plan appropriate services. Provides clearance to enroll using the ChildPlus database to review health documents in the child's file.
- Attend pre-start meetings of children with medical or nutritional support, as needed.
- Serve as liaison to CREC Health Services regarding health and nutrition plans and services.
- Ensure, in partnership with the Family Services Team, that each family identifies a medical and dental home during their enrollment in the program. Provides resources to families in need of a medical or dental home.
- Ensure, in partnership with the Family Services Team, that each child's file includes documented medical and dental history and signed parental consent forms.
- Perform, monitor, and record required health screenings on each child.
- Maintain vital statistics, up-to-date records, and reports data regarding health services to children.
- Conduct regular health and sanitation inspections; monitor the physical environment of Head Start locations.
- Maintain health supply inventory; purchase items needed; arrange for health and dental services from third parties as needed.
- Ensure the program maintains compliance with all CACFP requirements.
- Plan and organize first aid training, medication administration, epi-pen training, and CPR certification for all staff.
- Work with community representatives in planning and implementing a Health Services Advisory Committee.
- Oversee the administration of any prescribed medication given at school.
- Monitor health practices in the classroom (i.e. tooth brushing, hand washing, etc.).
- Send information on communicable diseases to parents and advises parents and staff when they have been exposed to a communicable disease.
- Provide training and resources on health and nutrition subjects.
- Conduct periodic observations of health and nutrition education components in the classroom and provide direction for improving the delivery of classroom education programs.
- Ensure health posters and visual aids are available to teachers and parents.
- Assist in preparing resources to be given to parents annually.
- Provide training on health, safety, and nutrition topics for staff and parents.
- Maintain health and nutrition budgets and ensure funds are spent appropriately.
- Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff; interview and select employees and recommend transfers, reassignment, termination and disciplinary actions; and schedule and assign work.
- Attend and participate in a variety of meetings, conferences, and in-service training to maintain current knowledge of laws, codes, rules, and regulations related to assigned activities; serve on assigned committees and advisory boards.
- Maintain strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start/Early Head Start children, families, staff, and financial information in accordance with established policies and procedures.
- Create, foster, and maintain a positive culture and climate across the program and support the mission and vision of CREC and CREC Head Start.
- Ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and all federal, state, and local entities.
- Comply with all company policies and procedures.
- Other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
This position manages, and is responsible for, the performance management of the employees of the department and assists with hiring as needed.
COMPETENCIES:
- Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.
- Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
- Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals.; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
- Judgement - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
- Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.
- Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
- Written & Oral Communication - Speaks and writes clearly; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Speaks and writes clearly and informatively; Varies communication style to meet needs; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
- Managing People - Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; Makes self available to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products and services.; Continually works to improve supervisory skills.
- Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
- Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
- Diversity & Ethics - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Treats people with respect; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce; Keeps commitments; Works with integrity; Upholds organizational values.
- Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
- Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
- Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs work flows and procedures.
- Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
- Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.
- Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
- Delegation - Delegates work assignments; Matches the responsibility to the person; Gives authority to work independently; Sets expectations and monitors delegated activities; Provides recognition for results.
- Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
- Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; Analyzes market and competition; Identifies external threats and opportunities; Adapts strategy to changing conditions.
- Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
- Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's Degree (BA) from four-year college or university preferably in nutrition, public health, dietetics, health/nutrition education, health administration, maternal and child health, and three years of related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Two (2) years of supervisory experience required
- Prior experience in Head Start or a similar early childhood education setting, preferred
- Ability to compile and analyze data and make effective recommendations and decisions
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:
A valid Motor Vehicle Operator's License and reliable personal vehicle are required to provide on-site supervision, and attend meetings, trainings, and professional learning opportunities as required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:
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.
Working in CREC's Early Childhood programs requires prolonged standing/movement, frequent bending and crouching, lifting and carrying materials up to 50 lbs, fine motor skills for manipulating small objects, clear speaking voice, good vision and hearing, the ability to focus on multiple tasks simultaneously, and sometimes the need to move quickly to respond to student needs. Staff require the ability to work in a high-energy environment with varying noise levels (from quiet to loud) based on student activity. Staff is expected to work both indoors and outdoors (as needed) and may be expected to participate in off-site field experiences.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?
- Group Health Insurance Plans
- Basic & Supplemental Life Insurance
- Long Term Disability & Short Term Disability options
- 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with Employer Matching Contribution if applicable
- Flexible Spending Account Pre-Tax Savings for Health Care, Dependent Care, and Limited Purpose Post Deductible (if contributing to an HSA)
- Comprehensive benefit time package
- Employee Assistance Program
- Bereavement time & Religious Holidays
- Credit Union Access
- Tuition Reimbursement Program
- Employee Network Groups
- Access to professional learning opportunities with two fully paid courses through CREC University each year, empowering you to expand your skills and advance your career!
- Benefit from our exclusive partnership with Springfield College, offering a 15% discount on tuition for next-level degree programs to support your academic and career aspirations!
Based on terms and conditions during your employment, specific to your job classification and collective bargaining agreement.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION STATEMENT:
CREC strives to understand and confront the symptoms and causes of racism and prejudice�ranging from biases to aggressions to discriminatory policies, practices, and traditions�that harm people from systemically marginalized groups or that benefit privileged groups. CREC staff and students acknowledge and respect people of all identifiers, such as race, socioeconomic status, gender identity and expression, education, age, ability, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, language, nationality, religion, and veteran status.
DISCLAIMER STATEMENT:
The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
To access the job description and salary range document, please click https://www.crec.org/careers/jobs.php
