Preschool Center Director

Title:Center Director 1

Reports To: Regional Program Manager

FLSA Status:Exempt

General Summary:

The Head Start or Early Head Start Center Director provides supervision, and leadership with oversight responsibility for creating a culture of support, collaboration, and inclusion at their site. The Center Director sets the tone and empowers staff to take ownership of service delivery and they have an understanding of how to make the most of their staff's expertise.

Center Directors provide effective modeling and leadership. They work collaboratively with their Regional Program Manager, education managers, other departmental managers, and site staff to ensure effective operational and instructional practices. The center director coordinates with family services staff to ensure the empowerment and inclusion of all families enrolled at the site. They manage their time and tasks effectively to meet the needs of the agency.

Center Directors supports Child Start’s overall mission by fostering the creation of high-quality, responsive, respectful, and safe work environments. They ensure compliance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards and other applicable federal, state, and licensing requirements. Center Directors are physically present at the site. Center Directors provide coverage for absent staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (not intended as an all-inclusive summary):The Center Director serves as the lead and supervisor for a single center in the Head Start Early Head Start, State Preschool, CCTR, supervising 5-7 staff with responsibilities including the following:· Visible Leadero Ensures a safe, healthy, and welcoming environment for clients and staffo Oversees site staff, program requirements, daily operations, and compliance with Child Start policies and procedures, licensing, and Head Start Performance Standardso Models staff-staff, child-teacher, staff-family interactions, professionalism, and Ethical practiceso Creates a culture of continuous learning and accountability· Comprehensive Approacho Responsive to the needs of the whole child and familyo Cultivates an understanding of Child Start’s mission, and work to progress children in school readiness and increase family engagemento Implements data-informed instruction and decision-makingo Encourages staff collaboration, and high quality and supportive interactions between teacher-child, staff-family, and staff-staff

· Champion for Staff

o Fosters Health, Wellness, Motivation, Engagement

o Guides Staff expectations, Shared goals, Reflective practices

o Supports empowerment, diversity, inclusion, and respect

· Teaming

o Organizes and facilitates ongoing (at minimum monthly) team meetings

o Creates opportunities for team members to feel united in reaching common goals

o Draws on strengths of team members

o Cultivates a culture of openness in information sharing

o Encourages team cooperation and participation

o Provides encouragement when constructive criticism is necessary

*Not intended as an all-inclusive list. Other duties as assigned Key Competencies:Practices the principles and ideas of the following leadership styles:

· Servant leadership

o Looks to see what they can do to serve the people whose behavior they hope to change; treats others as they want to be treated

· Distributed leadership

o Shares power with others and provides opportunities for others to operate in leadership roles

· Comprehensive leadership

o Promotes collaboration and understanding

· Empathetic leadership

o Builds awareness of protective factors

o Trauma-informed

o Mindfulness

o Emphasizes positives

o Acknowledges the work of site staff

o Clarifies expectations regarding best practices and policies

o Encourages wellness and attending to work-life balance

· Adaptive leadership

o Inspires and motivates people to tackle client and work challenges and thrive

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

Education and Experience

· AA degree in Early Childhood Education required /BA preferred

· 2 years previous experience teaching in an early childhood setting; experience with supervision, management or coaching preferred

· Experience managing an infant/toddler or preschool program

Other Requirements

· Current 1st Aid and CPR Certification or ability to obtain in 60 days, and remain current throughout employment

· Ability to pass criminal record clearance

· Clear TB test and statement of good health from a doctor are required as a condition of employment

· Obtain appropriate immunizations (Measles & Pertussis) and flu shot/flu waiver

· Valid California Driver’s License, required insurance and acceptable driving record maintained

· Report any suspected child abuse as required by state law.

· Health and Safety Training Certificate (15 hours) or ability to obtain in 60 days

· Complete Pesticide, Mandated reporter, and Anti-harassment trainings at required intervals

· Able to lift a child weighing 40 pounds, 20 times a day if needed

· State of California Site Supervisor Permit required if working for a State Funded Program

Other Skills and Abilities

· Bilingual English/Spanish preferred

· Experience with inclusion of children with disabilities preferred

· Knowledge of infant/toddler health and safety licensing requirements (if applicable)

· Experience with collaborations and community partnerships (if applicable)

· Travel to the Napa office, trainings, community meetings, or to the homes of families

· Strong communication, coordination, and collaboration skills, both on-site and within Child Start and the community

· Ability to leverage expertise of others as needed to implement the Child Start’s vision and maintain compliance

· Strong decision-making, problem-solving, critical thinking, and conflict management skills

· Knowledgeable about Head Start requirements, program operations, and Human Resources

· Strong knowledge of child development, including infant and toddler development as appropriate

· Practiced at supervising adults and building teams to create an inclusive work environment

· Ability to manage time and tasks and

· Ability to supervise the work and performance of adults

· Technological skills – computers, cell phones, ipads, uploading documents, inputting data

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $5,677.30 per month

Work Location: In person