Position Title: Head Start School Readiness Coordinator
Reports To: Education Services Manager
Salary: $62,000/ annually
Full Time – Non – exempt
Travel Required: 40%
Position Summary
The School Readiness provides strategic leadership to ensure that child outcomes and family partnerships work in alignment to promote school readiness. This role bridges education services, family engagement, and data-driven decision making to strengthen classroom quality, increase family involvement, and ensure measurable progress toward School Readiness Goals.
This position serves as a key driver of continuous quality improvement by transforming child outcome data and family engagement practices into coordinated strategies that enhance learning environments, strengthen family-school connections, and advance the mission of Head Start. This role will support tracking In – Kind and volunteerism as it pertains to family involvement to support the Non – federal share requirement for Head Start.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
School Readiness & Strategic Leadership
- Lead the development, implementation, monitoring, and annual review of School Readiness Goals
- Ensure alignment between curriculum, assessments, instructional practices, and family engagement strategies
- Guide education and family services teams in data-informed planning and continuous improvement
- Serve as a strategic partner in agency-wide planning and program development
Child Outcomes & Data Systems
- Oversee collection, analysis, and interpretation of child assessment and family engagement data
- Identify trends and gaps to inform classroom instruction, coaching, and family support strategies
- Develop user-friendly reports and dashboards for leadership, Policy Council, and governing bodies
- Support staff in using data to individualize instruction and strengthen family learning supports
Instructional Quality & Classroom Impact
- Collaborate with Education Managers and Coaches to strengthen instructional practices and CLASS outcomes
- Align professional development and coaching with classroom needs and child outcome goals
- Support consistent, high-quality implementation of curriculum and individualized learning plans
Family Learning & Engagement Leadership
- Design and implement innovative family engagement strategies that support school readiness and lifelong learning
- Develop parent education workshops, home learning initiatives, and community partnerships
- Strengthen parent leadership development and participation in program governance
- Ensure culturally responsive practices that reflect the strengths and needs of enrolled families
Compliance & Quality Assurance
- Ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards related to education, family engagement, and school readiness
- Lead internal monitoring and documentation reviews across education and family services
- Prepare program components for federal reviews and ongoing monitoring activities
- Maintain accurate and compliant records related to child outcomes and family engagement
Collaboration & Leadership
- Partner with ERSEA, Health, Disabilities, and Mental Health teams to support whole-child and whole-family outcomes
- Serve as a key member of the program’s leadership team
- Promote a positive, collaborative organizational culture
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Human Services, Family Studies, or related field (Master’s preferred)
- Minimum five (5) years of experience in early childhood education, family services, or related leadership role
- Strong knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards, CLASS, child assessment systems, and family engagement frameworks
- Demonstrated experience with data analysis, program evaluation, and continuous quality improvement
- Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Head Start experience strongly preferred
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred
- Experience with program evaluation and strategic planning
Core Competencies
- Strategic & systems thinking
- Instructional and family engagement leadership
- Data-informed decision making
- Relationship building & collaboration
- Cultural responsiveness & equity-centered leadership
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field required
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience in early childhood education, including classroom teaching and staff support or coaching.
- Experience working in Head Start or similar early childhood program strongly preferred.
- NC Level III Child Care Administrator preferred
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Strong knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards and early childhood best practices.
- Extensive knowledge of NC DCDEE Requirements and other Early Childhood regulatory compliance.
- Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and support teaching staff.
- Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively to the dynamic needs of a multi-site program.
Working Conditions
- Frequent travel between Head Start centers.
- Occasional evening or weekend work may be required for trainings or special events.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
None
Computer Skills
- To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of accounting software; spreadsheet and word processing software.
- Employee must be sufficiently computer literate to learn agency software within 90 days of employment.
Certificates & Licenses
The employee must have a valid driver's license and own reliable transportation.
Other Requirements
- Employee must have demonstrated ability to plan, supervise, and evaluate work of subordinates.
- Knowledge of principles of organization and management is required.
- A thorough knowledge and understanding of the needs, characteristics, and development of low-income infants, toddlers and pre-school aged children and families is essential to success in this position.
- Applicant must be familiar with North Carolina Child Care Licensing regulations.
- Must be able to work and communicate well with a variety of people.
- Must be in good medical health as evidenced by an annual medical examination.
- Employee must have annual TB test indicating negative results.
- Employee must be able to pass a post offer employment criminal record background check and random substance abuse tests.
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 and convey the necessity to co-workers.
- Tactfulness and courtesy are essential when representing the agency with the general public.
- Employee must be committed to continuous quality and performance improvement.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Certificates & Licenses
It is the employee's responsibility to obtain and keep current all certifications, licenses, physicals, etc., at all times.
Required certifications and licenses are:
- Current (negative) TB test
- Pre - employment physical
- First Aid Certification (within 60 days of hire)
- CPR Certification (within 60 days of hire)
- Valid driver's license or reliable transportation. Annual state vehicle inspection, and proof of vehicle liability insurance coverage if POV.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Must be able to work and communicate with a wide variety of people, particularly pre-school-aged children.
The employee must be able to pass a criminal background record check and post-offer employment and random substance abuse tests.
The employee must be able to complete a criminal background check and maintain an active Criminal Background Check (CBC) Qualification letter through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child Development.
A good driving record with no moving violations is required with Valid Driver's License.
The ability to speak Spanish is a plus.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Background check with state and Federal law enforcement agencies required. Selected applicants must submit to a pre-employment substance abuse screening test and receive a negative result for the use of drugs and alcohol as specified in agency policies. Must submit and receive negative results for random testing of same. The employee must have a valid North Carolina Driver's License. Must be able to pass a post-offer physical examination.
Action Pathways, Inc. is an “at-will” employer. Either the employee or Action Pathways, Inc. may terminate the employment arrangement at any time, with or without cause.
Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. The job description or announcement is not an employment agreement or contract.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PACKAGE:
- Competitive pay with periodic Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA)
- Zero-cost Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability (Employee only)
- Retirement plan with 100% employer matching
- Paid Vacation/Sick/Personal leave
- 13 Paid Holidays
- Paid professional development training
- Education assistance after one year employed
- Auto mileage reimbursement for official travel
- Employee discounts
- Bragg Mutual Credit Union Membership
- Employee Recognition Events
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants must apply online at www.actionpathways.ngo
