Head Start Education Lead
Company/Organization: RurAL CAP
Location: Anchorage
Application Dates: Until Filled
Job Description
JOB SUMMARY: Responsible for ensuring all Education related tasks for the Head Start program, serving children 3 to 5 years of age, are carried out. Design and monitor systems to assure compliance with all education related Head Start Performance Standards, Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and other applicable federal and state regulations. Provide child development, leadership, training and technical assistance to staff and parents.
This position is 44 weeks per year with an eight-week break in June and July.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Coordinates with all content areas, and in conjunction with other Leads and Coaches. Writes, revises and implements education related policies, procedures and the related Education Lead Manual in order to ensure effective quality service delivery in which Head Start Program Performance Standards and all other relevant federal and state regulations are met.
- Obtain and maintain acute knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards; specifically, those pertaining to the Education content areas.
- Provides or arranges for requested or necessary Education related training and technical assistance to site staff and Head Start parents.
- Establishes a supportive relationship with site staff that results in increased skills and outcomes for children and families
- Advocates for responsive, timely, and effective quality services for children and their families.
- Takes a proactive, solution-oriented perspective to problem solve any challenges that may arise within the component team or at the site level.
- Reviews reports and appropriate data to ensure both team and site goals are being met or progress is moving in a positive direction.
- Under the direction of the Regional Manager, works as a member of the regional team to directly support site staff in the provision of high quality, family-friendly and community/culturally appropriate Head Start services to children and families.
- Establishes and maintains partnerships with applicable agencies such as school districts and community partners. Establishes written agreements when applicable and meets progress and renewal deadlines.
- Submits required reports and information necessary for monthly, quarterly and annual reports, and other reports as requested in a timely manner.
- Actively participates in regular staff meetings, supervisory meetings and all required training.
- Continually seeks out ways to further their own professional development in ways that will increase the quality services they are able to provide to sites.
- Takes initiative to join workgroups and attend meetings with outside organizations that are working towards the same common goals.
- When faced with challenges, seeks out guidance from policies and procedures, performance standards, and other resources such as ECLKC/HeadStart.gov and My Peers.
- Assists in preparing the budget and securing the resources and materials for all children and families to be successful.
- Supports and encourages cultural diversity and values the diversity of all peoples.
- Assists with the initial and ongoing Active Supervision safety training for all teaching staff.
- Ensures that teaching staff are utilizing their research-based curriculum.
- Ensures that quality home visits and parent-teacher conferences are occurring by teaching staff.
- Ensures that specified curriculum, observations, screenings and assessments, individual child plans and parent input are being used to Individualize for children.
- Ensures that classroom lesson plans reflect children’s developmental levels, culture, and uniqueness.
- Collaborates with site teaching staff to monitor children’s progress in the classroom. Then tracks and monitors all potentially delayed developmental screenings using the Child Plus database.
- Works with Head Start teachers to develop education goals for children to improve child outcomes.
- Tracks screening completion and follow up for all children within 45 days of their entry into the program.
- Observes classrooms and provides feedback to teachers using the CLASS Observation Tool.
- Monitors and provides feedback to teaching staff on the Teaching Strategies Gold Assessment tool.
- Advocates that children who are identified with a disability receive high quality and adequate quantity of services as outlined in their individual plans.
- Assists in developing and implementing transition plans for children with disabilities who are entering or leaving Head Start programs or moving from one program to another.
- Collaborates with the Health Services Advisory Committee, soliciting advice and advocating for effective quality services for children and families.
POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:
This is a full-time position with the central office located in Anchorage, Alaska. This position allows for some remote work. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. This is a 44-week position with summers off. Working months are August to June.
TRAVEL:
Travel is primarily local during the business day. Moderate travel to and in rural Alaskan communities, including travel by small airplane and alternative ground transportation is required.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS AND REQUIRED EDUCATION:
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Must pass state and federal background checks for convictions of violence and child abuse and/or neglect, including but not limited to fingerprinting.
- BA degree or higher in Early Childhood Education; or related field including coursework equivalent to a major related to ECE.
- Experience planning and administering program services for children and families and assessing the quality of services and developing program services.
- Knowledge of 3 to 5 years of age growth and development.
- Demonstrated effective oral and written communication skills including giving and receiving feedback on quality of services.
- Must demonstrate sound judgment, professional boundaries, and ethics as well as maintain confidentiality in working with partner agencies, other service providers, and diverse staff.
- Responsible work ethic with reliable attendance.
- Must pursue an ongoing professional development plan including formal training certification or college degree as recommended by the program.
- Must attend 15 hours of professional development training annually.
- Proven ability and willingness to be self-directed in problem solving and decision-making and perform basic assignments with little or no direct supervision while also working effectively as a team member.
- Demonstrated intermediate level of computer skills necessary in order to use and create documents and reports, spreadsheets, workshop materials and slide presentations, and to enter data into intricate database programs and proficient use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Outlook.
- Must keep all matters concerning participants in strictest confidence as required by HIPAA privacy and the 42 CFR, Part II confidentiality regulations.
- Must provide a TB screening and basic physical exam within thirty (30) days of hire with follow-up every three (3) years at employee’s expense.
- Must complete and maintain CPR and First Aid Training certification at employer’s expense.
- Must be able to provide own transportation to meet work schedule requirements.
PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- MA degree or higher in Early Childhood Education; or related field including coursework equivalent to a major relating to ECE.
- Knowledge of CDA competencies and familiarity with the CDA Credential process.
- Knowledge and experience in rural Alaskan lifestyles with strong competence in multi-cultural environments.
- Experience with Child Plus.
- Knowledge and experience with the Head Start program.
- Experience in providing adult training.
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