VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA SOUTHWEST CALIFORNIA POSITION DESCRIPTION

IDENTIFYING DATA:

POSITION TITLE:                   DIRECTOR OF EARLY HEAD START

S.A.P. LEVEL:                          GRADE 4

REPORTS TO:                         DIVISION DIRECTOR AND/OR V.P. & COO

SUPERVISES:                          ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, COMPONENT MANAGEMENT STAFF SERVICES, AND OTHER STAFF AS ASSIGNED

DIVISION:                              CHILD DEVELOPMENT

PROGRAM:                             EARLY HEAD START

REVISED:                               FEBRUARY 2020

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Division Director of Education and Early Childhood Development and/or the Vice President - COO, the Director of Volunteers of America Early Head Start Program is responsible for providing leadership and accountability for all areas of program compliance and daily operations. This position should have thorough and extensive knowledge of the Head Start Performance Standards, knowledge of child development and family dynamics and awareness of the value of community partnerships within the agency’s service area. This position must have knowledge of fiscal principals, budgeting and Human Resources to maintain program compliance.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The duties listed below are intended to provide an overview of the duties required of the Director.

• Evaluate organizational effectiveness; interpret a variety of data to determine program strengths and challenges.
• Evaluation of staff; setting goals and expectations for performance.
• Ensuring timelines are met, and appropriate reports are generated in a timely and usable manner.
• Ensuring compliance with health/safety/licensing regulations, Head Start Act and Performance Standards.
• Responsibility for funding/re-funding applications and their approval by the Board of Directors, and Policy Council.
• Effective communication with constituents, Board, employees, parents and community groups. 
• Making rapid and informed decisions for program operations.
• Develop and maintain budgets that address the successful implementation of daily operations and services to children and families.

Provide input in the development personnel policies for agency employees to ensure the inclusion of Head Start Performance Standards in the Volunteers of America Southwest Personnel Policies.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Five years of professional and program management experience associated with educational, social services, family development and or operational programs that are directly related to the operations of Early Head Start services, including at least three years of management and supervisory experience.
• Experience in supervision of staff, fiscal management, and administration.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in Education, Public Administration, Business Management, Child Development, or a related field is required. A Master’s degree is desirable.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Management capacity relevant to human services program management and familiarity with federal, state, and local laws, codes regulations, and requirements pertaining to the Head Start program, and state laws
• Leadership skills; the ability to set course and direction for the organization
• Strategic orientation; the ability to see the “big picture”
• Understanding of national and local initiatives related to school readiness, transition and other program and curriculum objectives
• Principles and practices of business administration, organizational management, facilities management and human resources management.
• Principles and methods of finance and budget administrations as they apply to the funding and reporting requirement of state and federal categorical programs.

LICENSES/PERMITS/CERTIFICATIONS:

• California Teachers Commission on Credentialing; Child Development Director’s Permit.

SUPERVISION:

• Supervised by the Division Director/Vice President-COO for organizational guidance, performance evaluation, and professionaldevelopment planning.
• Supervises the organization’s Administrative Assistant, Component Management Staff Services and staff as assigned.

RELATIONSHIPS:

• Board of Directors and Policy Council
• Administrative and Program Staff
• Government Agencies and Community Organizations
• Funding Entities including CACFP
• Vendors/Contractors
• Public/Parents

REQUIREMENTS:

Prior to hire, the following must be assured:

• All potential employees will be subject to obtain fingerprint clearances from the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Child Abuse Index prior to starting work.
• Completed and signed statement of any pending and prior criminal arrests/charges/convictions related to child sexual abuse, child abuse and neglect, and/or violent felonies.
• Successful completion of an initial health examination, performed by or under the supervision of a physician, to determine, at a minimum, if the prospective employee can perform the duties outlined in the position description.
• Proof of the absence of Tuberculosis, from a physician, to show that the prospective employee is cleared to work with children and families.
• Must present documentation of current immunization against Influenza, Measles (MMR), and Pertussis (TDAP).
• Use of an automobile with proper insurance coverage and valid California driver’s license.