Director of Center Quality - Head Start Program in Denver, Colorado at Mile High Early Learning

Salary: $75,000-$80,000 commensurate with credentials.

Posting: Accepting applications as long as posting is up

To apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, transcript, diplomas, and certificates

Bonus: Signing bonus eligible, $500

The Director of Center Quality (DCQ) is responsible for ensuring an exemplary, quality educational experience for young children and their families and has overall responsibility for Mile High Early Learning’s (MHEL) early learning centers. The DCQ supervises and mentors Program Directors to create a welcoming learning community, work towards fulfilling MHEL’s mission: all children thrive by cultivating every child’s potential, engaging families, and championing our early learning workforce, and achieve consistent implementation of organizational policies and procedures.

Reporting Relationships:

Supervisor: Chief Learning Officer

Direct Reports: Program Directors

Additional Relationships: Chief Program Officer, Director of Curriculum and Coaching, Director of Disabilities/Mental Health, Director of Family Services, Human Resources team, President & CEO

Essential Job Functions: Program Quality

• Ensure that the Montessori Inspired curriculum elements, Creative Curriculum, and other identified curricula are implemented consistently and with integrity, at the center level.
• Work collaboratively with the Chief Learning Officer, Director of Curriculum and Coaching, and Director of Disabilities/Mental Health to establish data-informed practices using evaluation results to enhance quality and identify mid-course redirections as needed for continuous program quality improvement.
• Lead, plan, and implement large-scale professional development (PD) initiatives (e.g., Professional Development Institute, Successful START, PD days) and Professional Learning Center offerings such as Expanding Quality in Infant Toddler Initiative (EQIT), Inclusive Practices in Early Childhood (IPEC), and other regional opportunities in collaboration with the Chief Learning Officer, Director of Curriculum and Coaching, and other staff as appropriate.
• Coordinate logistics for professional development events, including scheduling, registration, materials, technology, trainer support, and facilities.
• Track PD attendance, session completion, and outcomes, and analyze feedback to inform continuous improvement and strategic planning.
• Collaborate with colleagues, families, and external agencies to implement responsive teaching practices.
• Implement and support diversity and inclusion initiatives that promote culturally responsive and equitable classroom and school communities.?
• Support family services team and center staff in building and maintaining strong, collaborative relationships with parents and families.
• Alongside Program Directors, provide materials and methods to accommodate the diverse learning needs and backgrounds of all students.
• Be familiar with all requirements articulated in grant requests to assure that the required data for grant outcome reports is available when requested.

Essential Job Functions: Early Learning Centers

• Spend time in assigned centers on a weekly basis to keep up to date on the strengths and opportunities of the centers.
• Support all centers as requested.
• Work alongside Program Directors to assure that Head Start Program Performance Standards, Colorado Child Care licensing regulations, and Colorado Universal Preschool program requirements are met, Colorado Shines ratings are maintained, and quality standards are implemented in all centers and classrooms.
• Assure that all allegations of child abuse are reported appropriately, and all follow up is completed in coordination with the Chief Program Officer.

Essential Job Functions: People Development

• Mentor, coach, and supervise Program Directors at assigned early learning centers.
• Meet one-on-one with each Program Director regularly for reflective supervision focused on Program Director strengths and opportunities for growth.
• Work with Program Directors and Human Resources to assure that recruitment, hiring, and orientation/onboarding processes are providing qualified teaching staff.
• Collaborate with HR to ensure professional development requirements align with onboarding and compliance processes and provide ongoing training and support for staff who are transitioning into new roles or implementing new curricula and materials.
• Work with Program Directors and HR to be sure that employee performance issues are handled on a timely and appropriate basis.
• Complete annual performance evaluation for each Program Director and ensure Program Directors complete staff evaluations.
• Work in conjunction with Chief Learning Officer and Director of HR to support individual staff education requirements and completion of Individual Professional Development Plans.

Essential Job Functions: Budget

• Collaborate with Chief of Staff, President, and leadership team on the annual budget.
• Work with Chief of Staff and Program Directors to monitor annual budget line items for each center and monitor the expenditure of funds monthly.
• Work with Program Directors, Director of Curriculum and Coaching, and Director of Disabilities/Mental Health to determine equipment and supply needs for classrooms and centers.

Standard Job Functions:

• At the request of the President and/or Chief Learning Officer, participate on internal and external committees as appropriate representing the MHEL community.
• Interact with educationally, economically, culturally, and racially diverse persons whose first language may not be English.
• Be intentional, mindful, and reflective in professional practices through a diversity, equity and inclusion lens.
• Effectively resolve conflict; remain calm in very busy or emergency situations.
• Maintain confidentiality related to all aspects of the families enrolled and employee information as defined by MHEL, State of Colorado, and Federal regulations.
• Engage in ongoing training to maintain job requirements.
• Maintain professional and effective working relationships with co-workers.
• Ensure ethnic and cultural backgrounds are appropriately recognized and cultural activities are integrated into education program and training.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Position Qualifications / Certifications / Licenses:

• Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education / Education, or related field OR
• Bachelor’s Degree in an Early Childhood Education / Education or related field and five years of experience with early childhood education may be used in lieu of a Master’s Degree
• Three years of supervisory experience
• Deep knowledge of developmentally appropriate early childhood practices
• Experience in research/data and child outcomes tracking
• Reliable vehicle, valid Colorado driver’s license, and evidence of current vehicle insurance meeting the minimum Colorado state liability requirements
• Clearance of CBI and Central Registry check and post-employment physical
• Working knowledge of basic computer systems, i.e. Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint

Desired Qualifications / Skills / Licenses / Certifications:

• Three years of experience working in an administrative capacity with a Head Start program and understanding of Head Start Program Performance Standards
• Working knowledge of State of Colorado, federal, and other funding compliance requirements
• Bilingual or basic understanding of Spanish

Essential Physical Requirements:

• Conduct activities involving substantial standing, walking, and moderate sitting; stooping, kneeling, bending, crouching, crawling, twisting, and reaching on a frequent basis
• Must be able to stoop, bend, and kneel on the floor without assistance
• Participate in routine conversation in person or via telephone and distinguish telephone radio/pager signals, alarms, and other auditory tones
• Safely lift a child or children with total weight of 50 lbs.
• Work with hands above shoulder height with a weight up to 20 lbs.
• Work with arms extended at shoulder height with a weight up to 20 lbs.

Environmental Surroundings:

• Typical office environment
• Children’s classroom environment
• Outdoor playground

Equipment and Supplies Used:

• Office Equipment: Telephone, calculator, computer, copier, and similar office equipment

Mile High Early Learning is a drug-free workplace, and we perform pre-employment drug screenings.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic. All qualified candidates will receive fair consideration for employment. #ID23