Assistant Director, Head Start

The Assistant Director will assist and support the Head Start with the overall operation of an inclusive Head Start. This includes maintaining high quality early care and education program quality standards based on licensing standards, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards and criteria and Easter Seals policies and procedures. The Assistant Director will facilitate positive professional relationships and internal and external customer service with staff and parents. The Assistant Director is an ambassador for Easter Seals that will promote the organization’s culture, goals, mission, vision and core values.

The Assistant Director will assume the Director responsibilities to include supervisory responsibilities for staff in the Director’s absence. Together this Leadership Team will ensure that staff provides a safe and nurturing environment for all children that encourages social, emotional, physical and cognitive development on each child’s level. It is the role of the Assistant Director to model exemplary performance in all areas of responsibility outlined in this position description.

The Assistant Director I is budgeted to perform the supervisory and professional responsibilities of the Assistant Director position description described below 50% or more of the time with the other 50% of the time being in ratio in the classroom.

Specific responsibilities will be assigned to balance the skills of the specific Head Start as well as the scope of work based on each child development center. The Director will play a critical role in the support, guidance and mentoring of the Assistant Director in their professional development to meet the center’s needs and for succession planning. An Assistant Director may be assigned full-time or part-time, splitting classroom responsibilities and leadership duties depending on capacity, occupancy and budget of the center.

MAJOR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Management:

• Ensure staff understand the mission, vision, core values and Easter Seals Child Development Center policies and procedures, NAEYC Accreditation Standards and Criteria and licensing standards. (AD should be developing in this responsibility)

• Ensure that all staff interact and communicate respectfully with children in an inclusive environment.

• Under the guidance of the Director, evaluates classroom lesson plans, curriculum and environment. Develops action plans with the classroom teaching team and monitor progress toward program goals.

• Provide support and resources for staff on Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies Gold.

• Recognize progress/variables in child's development, inform parents/guardians and make appropriate referrals, as needed in collaboration with the parents, teachers and Director. (AD should be developing this role)

Hiring:

• Participate in recruiting staff and substitutes through outreach to community, colleges, high schools, minority organizations, local resource and referral agencies, etc.

• Participate in the process of screening, interviewing, hiring, and reference checking of teachers in collaboration with Lead Teacher and classroom team and the Leadership Team interview.

• Serve as a center resource for benefits; implementation of Easter Seal personnel policies and the process new hire paperwork. (AD should be developing in this responsibility)

• Conducts New Employee Orientation to Easter Seal staff using the child development center specific orientation. A regional orientation will also be coordinated with the HR department. (AD should be developing in this responsibility)

• Ensures that regular written observations and feedback sessions are conducted in the assessment process.

• Ensures implementation of all staff duties as described in their position descriptions.

• Conducts timely evaluation of performance of staff in collaboration with Lead Teachers/Program Coordinators; guide staff in development of individual goals for professional growth, and monitor staff's progress towards achieving these goals.

• Utilize progressive counseling, document disciplinary action and if necessary, terminate staff in accordance with EEOC, federal, state, local, and organizational guidelines.

Leadership/Team Building:

• Supports Director in developing effective whole center staff communication systems.

• Keeps Director informed of any staff issues.

• Meets regularly with center leadership team.

• Shares in planning and leading whole center staff meetings.

• Facilitates team building among all classroom teaching teams and entire center staff.

• Supports and sustains positive morale of the staff.

• Solicits input from staff and follow-up accordingly in a timely fashion.

• Participates in administration of and implementation of programs to achieve staff retention and decrease teacher turnover.

Parent/Guardian Communication:

• Model positive attitudes toward and professional interactions with parents/guardians.

• Work with Director to oversee ongoing staff/parent/guardian communication: daily verbal and written communication, parent/teacher conference, Teaching Strategies Gold updates and individual portfolio reviews.

• Be available and accessible to parents/guardians every day and respond to parent/guardian concerns.

• Keep Director informed of any parent/guardian issues.

• Support Director in establishing and sustaining of a sense of community through parent/guardian involvement. Implement programs to achieve parent/guardian retention.

• Share resources with parents/guardians through discussions, articles, parent/guardian boards, newsletters, workshops and community contacts.

• Assist in planning and leading events and educational programs.

Marketing:

• Support Director in maintaining parent/guardian master file, accurately updating weekly statistics, following appropriate telephone protocol, conducting parent/guardian tours, and promoting parent/guardian referral program.

• Assist Director with special marketing efforts during key enrollment periods (August, October, January, and spring registration). Maintain on-going marketing efforts during the remainder of year to sustain and increase enrollment.

• Help market program to community, (i.e. visiting local businesses, distributing flyers).

• Support and assist Director with wait list maintenance, making sure available slots are filled quickly.

• Assist in enrollment of new families, by reviewing enrollment packet, center/school policies and philosophies.

• Guide staff in orienting parents/guardians to classroom routine, curriculum and communication systems at entrance and transition to new classrooms.

Health, Safety, and Licensing:

• Adhere to NAEYC standards and to state licensing requirements in all of the following areas: health and safety conditions; nutrition; staff files, qualifications and schedules; staff/child ratios, and children's files.

• Follow Easter Seals Emergency Protocol and the center’s Ready to Respond Plan.

• Instruct and supervise staff with regards to all state and NAEYC standards for health care policies, safety, and emergency procedures.

• Supervise staff in documentation of all accidents and notify parents/guardians and Director in a timely manner. If medical treatment is required notify state licensing agent, Regional Manager, and home office.

• Follow state regulations pertaining to incidents of abuse or neglect.

Financial Management:

• Support Director in development of and monitoring of expenses to keep within budget.

• Schedules staff efficiently to maximize budget performance.

• Under guidance of the Director, maintain accurate and current financial records, collect and record tuition payments, utilizing Pro-Care. (AD should train in this area – Mirna)

• Work with Director to ensure expense checks, regular bank deposits made and ensure check requests and tuition requests are processed as needed.

Center Maintenance:

• Assist Director in providing a clean, safe, child-ready center at all times.

• Ensure that the center and grounds are attractive and inviting with careful thought given to displays and environment.

• Assists with ordering supplies and equipment to meet center needs, within center budget, with authorization.

• Assists and supports Director with monitoring of maintenance of facility, equipment, and supplies to ensure they are safe and in good repair.

Professionalism:

• Maintains confidentiality about issues concerning other staff members, children and families, or Easter Seal’s management and operations. Must not involve parents/guardians in center concerns.

• Demonstrates knowledge of ages and stages of development. Understand and guide the team in the general areas of physical, social, cognitive and emotional development of children.

• Models professional work ethic by reporting to work on time and maintaining consistent attendance, arranging and communicating leave requests in advance.

• Demonstrates flexibility and openness to new ideas in childcare practices.

• Attends leadership and staff meetings, training sessions and other center events.

• Responds to the center and organizational needs by attending training, contributing to a newsletter, serving on committees or substituting at another center as needed.

• Continues professional growth by attending courses, asking for feedback, and reading professional literature. Shares information with parents/guardians and teachers.

• Receives constructive criticism with a willingness to improve. Gives feedback in a respectful manner.

• Positively project the organization, mission, goals, philosophies and policies to parents/guardians, staff and the community.

• Establishes positive relationships with the regional office, staff and administrative team.

• Attends and actively participates in regional functions and training.

Teamwork:

• Establishes and maintains a relationship of cooperation and respect with coworkers.

• Assumes a fair share of work. Demonstrates initiative and works independently.

• Substitutes in classrooms to maintain ratios and gain exposure to all age groups as required.

• Assumes additional classroom and center responsibilities as needed, for example: kitchen, pets, children’s files, etc.

• Assists and supports the Director ensuring that daily responsibilities are completed; jobs are shared and taught to each team member over time.

• Offers and shares ideas and materials with coworkers.

• Leads and supervises teaching team through communication, collaboration and discussion of individual children’s needs, services and curriculum planning.

• Communicates directly and works to resolve conflicts quickly and avoids gossip.

• Exercises care in expressing views regarding the personal attributes or professional conduct of co-workers. Statements are based on first-hand knowledge and relevant to the interests of children and programs.

Physical Demands

• Follows state, federal and Easter Seal guidelines including immunizations, employment physical, and required Health & Safety Training.

• Ensures children’s safety while performing the following job functions:

• Frequently lifts, moves, or holds children with a range of weight from 10 to 40 pounds, occasionally lifts, moves, or holds weight more than 40 pounds.

• Supervises and interacts with children outdoors for extended periods in varied weather conditions.

• Demonstrate a full range of motion to lift, reach, squat, climb, sit, and otherwise fully participate in activities.

• Responds immediately and appropriately to multiple/unexpected situations or emergencies.

• Maintains mental and physical alertness and an appropriate level of energy to perform essential job requirements.

REQUIREMENTS (Must meet State/Local requirements.)

Education

• The Assistant Director is Director qualified according to state licensing standards and will be considered a Director-in-Training. (AD should attend Director Orientation at Regional Office)

• Qualified to meet the state requirements for Director preferred or participate in an education plan to meet within 5 years. Additional center/school requirements may apply.

• A bachelor’s degree is required

Experience:

• Requires 2 to 4 years of professional teaching experience and/or 1 year of prior supervisory experience, including classroom leadership responsibility or professional administration experience.

• A combination of infant, toddler or preschool teaching experience and actual administration of a child care center. (Do we have an evaluation on file?)

• Strong oral and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated experience and skill in communication, leadership, organization and supervision.

• Demonstrated understanding of NAEYC accreditation and licensing standards.

• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to lead staff in implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum.

• Responds well to unusual or crisis situations.

• Strong organizational and computer skills.

• Capacity to understand and manage center financial duties.

• Computer literacy required.

• Demonstrated ability to perform job responsibilities in all levels of direct care.

• Demonstrated sensitivity and responsiveness to needs of parents/guardians, staff, and clients.

• Experience working in an inclusive work environment and managing across differences.

• Can multi-task, working independently and take initiative and can work successfully in a fast pace organization

DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY:

• Must have prior approval from supervisor to:

➢ Take time off from scheduled work hours/days or alter schedule

➢ Deviate from center/school policy

➢ Terminate a staff member’s employment

➢ Schedule a field trip, plan extracurricular or enrichment activities

➢ Authorize expenditures on equipment, supplies, overtime

➢ Distribute written communication to parents/guardians or staff

➢ Contact a client for other than routine matters

➢ Inform a parent/guardian of an overdue payment

May Take Action, but Must Inform Director when You:

➢ Respond to a staff or parent/guardian concern

➢ Begin progressive counseling with staff

➢ Conference with a parent/guardian about concerns regarding their child’s behavior or development

➢ Implement any significant change in the classroom, program or environment

➢ Attend meetings outside the center/school for the benefit of the center/school

schedule staff work-time changes or substitutes

➢ Alter staff schedules

➢ File an abuse and neglect complaint

➢ Record an unusual incident

➢ Seek outside support services for individual children

➢ Arrange for center maintenance

➢ Care for a child with a significant injury

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of work performed, not limited to all aspects of job responsibilities.

NOTE:

Supervision (In absence of the Director, the Assistant Director will perform these functions.) Otherwise, the Assistant Director offers support in all areas and assumes primary supervisory responsibility for a team of staff members or programs as assigned.

Easterseals policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, status as a special disabled veteran, or any other protected criteria as established by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to recruitment and hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, transfer, layoff, termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment. Employment decisions at Easterseals are based solely upon relevant criteria, including an individual’s capabilities, qualifications, training, experience, and suitability .

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