JOB SUMMARY

This position oversees the educational components of the Head Start program, ensuing high-quality early childhood education and compliance with Head Start Performance Standards. This role includes curriculum implementation, staff supervision and training, program evaluation, and fostering a positive learning environment for children. Works closely with parents and families to support child development and school readiness.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Primary Responsibilities:

• Oversee the educational components of the Head Start program, ensuring adherence to Head Start Performance Standards, state regulations, and other relevant guidelines.
• Guides staff in the effective use of evidence-based curricula, lesson planning, and individualized learning approaches.
• Ensures that the Program’s School Readiness Goals align with receiving school’s expectations for children entering kindergarten.
• Provides ongoing training, coaching, and mentoring to teachers and other education staff, including annual parent, classroom, and substitute training programs, child development, and related topics to parents and community groups.
• Maintain a library of educational resources such as articles, publications, and videos for training.
• Conducts classroom observations, providing feedback, and supporting teachers in creating positive and engaging learning environments.
• Utilizes assessment data to monitor child progress, identify areas of improvement, and evaluate the overall effectiveness of the program.
• Partner with parents to support child development, foster parent involvement, and promote school readiness.
• Collaborate with other program managers and staff to develop and implement program goals and initiatives.
• Supervises Education Specialist and Child Development Specialist
• Conduct and document monthly supervisions, annual evaluations, and supervised staff professional development plans
• Collect data and prepare reports on center-based and home-based education programming, including child assessment data, teaching staff, and Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS).
• Ensure compliance with classroom parent-teacher conference requirements.
• Ensures full implementation of the fidelity of the Creative Curriculum, supplemental curriculum, and the Pyramid Model Framework, as well as the Teaching Strategies Gold Child Assessment System.
• Presents reports to the Policy Council and the Governing Board.
• Participates in the child selection, enrollment process, and child file reviews.
• Annually reviews and revises forms, program operating plan, policies and procedures, and Parent Handbook in collaboration with managers and supervisors.
• Assists in completing annual grant applications and other funding opportunities that support improved early education services.
• Attend Multidisciplinary Team Meetings, monthly manager meetings, and community, state, regional, national meetings and conferences.
• Oversee the interviewing and selection of education staff.

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Must present a professional image in conduct, attitude, and attire.
• Satisfactory completion of mandatory trainings.
• Additional duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field (Master’s degree preferred)
• Minimum three (3) years’ experience as a lead teacher in a child-centered preschool classroom.
• Minimum two (2) years’ experience working in a program serving young children (birth to 5 years of age)
• Must be CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System) reliable within six months of employment. (Required to attend a two-day observation training provided by a certified CLASS trainer and then pass a reliability test.)

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to train and mentor staff.
• Ability to work flexible hours and travel when necessary.
• Ability to analyze and redesign systems for early education programs to improve the effectiveness and quality of program operations.
• Must have significant background in the use of data collection systems that track measurable outcomes.
• Knowledge of childcare licensing requirements and staffing patterns
• Knowledge and ability to utilize community resources.
• demonstrated relationship building experience.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Active listening, writing, and verbal communication skills.
• Possess good organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to tolerate moderate to loud noise.
• Frequently required to sit, stand, and walk.
• Must be able to write and type.
• Ability to lift/move up to 25 pounds.

Application Requirements:

• Physical examination record or pass physical examination by a CAO physician
• Valid NYS Driver’s License and proof of motor vehicle insurance coverage
• Completion of the following documents:
  • CAO Employment application
  • NYS SCR Clearance Form with acceptable clearance
  • Criminal Record Certification and free of criminal convictions of crimes against children (misdemeanor or felony)
  • Fingerprinting required.
  • Release for Reference Checks

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.