Associate Executive Director - Baltimore City Head Start

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Job Summary:

The Associate Executive Director of Head Start is responsible for the overall management of Head Start locations which support programming and effective center operations by ensuring site locations have safe and healthy environments which meet all local, state, and federal licensing health codes and regulations.

The Associate Executive Director of Head Start is primarily responsible for achieving the following outcomes for the Head Start program:

Communication and Service Coordination

• Share pertinent information and plan with appropriate Leadership Team member to ensure program operations meet the needs of staff, children and families.
• Attend Leadership, Management meetings, as needed.
• Conduct Management meetings, as needed.
• Collaborate with Leadership Team, in order to communicate and plan with Senior Directors of Head Start Operations to ensure all Head Start Centers are compliant to Local, State and Federal Regulations. 
• Collaborate with Leadership Team, in order to communicate and plan with Senior Directors of Head Start Operations to ensure Education associates are implementing exemplary standards of customer service. 
• Coordinate with Education Services and Health Services team to ensure the quality delivery of Education and Health Services.

Record Keeping and Reporting

• Meet with Senior Directors of Head Start Operations to review documentation regarding licensing visits, quality audits, food/license/USDA site inspections/Child Licensing.
• Work with Director Data and Outcomes to generate and document in-kind and other allowable costs applied toward the non-federal share requirement, as needed.

• Meet with Senior Directors of Head Start Operations to ensure all files and documentation pertaining to facilities and associates are up-to-date and on site.
• Submit Monthly Head Start Program Information Report to Sr. Director of Head Start Operations on the 1^st Wednesday of the Month.

Ongoing Monitoring and Self-Assessment

• Ensure compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards and Y Head Start Program Policies and Procedures related to Head Start program operations.
• Work with the Director of CQI to administer and implement a system of continuous monitoring and evaluation of activities. Review the Head Start Program Policies and Procedures Manual annually.
• Complete monthly report on Operations, including progress toward goals with recommended modifications to plans, submit to Sr. Director
• Collaborate on strategies for ongoing monitoring and annual self-assessment for Safe Environments, safety and security of children and families and to oversee ongoing implementation of the Head Start Program Performance Standards, and other federal regulations while following the Y head Start Policies and Procedures and other federal regulations.
• Along with Data and Outcomes Manager, analyze data related to facilities (incidents, accidents, quality audits, etc.) on a center-wide basis, analyze data and make program development recommendations to the leadership team.

Supervision and Human Resources

• Knowledge of the Y Head Start personnel policies and procedures, ensure associates you supervise are aware of any changes that occur.
• Assign and review work of the people you supervise. Instruct, train and work effectively with the people you supervise from a variety of backgrounds and with differing levels/areas of training. Model best practice within the service area.
• Devise work methods and procedures that support improvements in existing work practices; supporting the associates you supervise in developing and setting goals, priorities and timelines.
• Meet at least once per month with direct reports to monitor and provide ongoing verbal and written feedback, consistent with their individual development plans for performance improvement, and adherence to Head Start Program performance standards as well as to plan and direct work. 
• Meet once a month with Senior Directors of Head Start Operations to identify progress and areas of growth within the region and lead the team in working together to design effective strategies and any identify any needed course correction.
• Support Senior Director Head Start Operations in the hiring of Head Start Associates.
• Plan and adjust work operations to meet changing or emergent program requirements within available resources and with minimum sacrifice to quantity or quality of work.
• Submit performance appraisals in a timely manner (at least twice per year:  Mid-year and End of Year).
• Conduct strategic recruitment and selection processes ensuring a pool of qualified and diverse applicants for open positions.
• Approve Senior Director Head Start Operations credit card purchases and provide fiscal training and support as needed.
• Comply with the agency employee recruitment and selection procedures to ensure consistency and compliance with EEO, legal hiring practices and internal policies and procedures. 
• Take required disciplinary action, in an objective and fair manner, following Program Policies and Procedures and EEO requirements.  This includes requirements involving the Head Start Policy Council in hiring and firing as outlined in Performance Standards 45 CFR 1304, Appendix A.
• Make appropriate personnel decisions not requiring higher approval

as-needed and submit others as a recommendation to the supervisor.

Responsibilities:

• Work in concert with Sr. Director of Head Start Operations to develop operational procedures, implement strategic initiatives and complete projects that impact both the local programs and the Company’s business objectives. 
• Serve on project teams, or in an advisory capacity, to support organizational initiatives.
• Oversee daily operations of all Head Start Centers and supervise Senior Directors Head Start Operations.
• Ensure compliance with Company, State and Federals standards; along with licensing requirements.
• Support Sr. Director in meeting all programs or company-wide goals.
• Liaison with contractors to assure stated work is completed properly.
• Maintain contracts for all utilities, communications, storage, cleaning services, and trash removal.
• Responsible for ensuring buildings and grounds are maintained.
• Ensure compliance with municipal ordinances, state licensing laws, and federal standards.
• Work towards achieving and maintaining MSDE accreditation. 
• Responsible for the operation and compliance of fire, security and surveillance systems, for all centers.
• Responds to all emergencies.  Emergency Liaison with Municipal departments.
• Along with Sr. Director/Regional Director, surveys new buildings and opportunities for business expansion.
• Manage Site Based budgets.

In order to successfully accomplish the responsibilities and expectations outlined above, the Associate Executive Director Head Start must possess, develop in, and is evaluated on the following competencies:

Child Growth & Development:

Uses knowledge of the principles of child growth and development to manage and develop direct reports, collaborate with related service areas, and communicate with internal and external stakeholders.

• • Work with Senior Directors Head Start Operations and education services team to promote a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

Family Services:

• • Uses knowledge of the principles of family support and case management to collaborate with related service areas, and communicate with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Works with others in the community to apply family-centered philosophy in services delivered to children and families.
  • Holds high expectations for families and works to motivate and inspire them to increase their participation and involvement with their child’s education.

Technology:

• • Uses technology to manage data and information effectively.
  • Uses database to effectively manage and monitor work.
  • Uses Google Docs and other tools to effectively manage and monitor program tasks and team projects.
  • Produces reports and analyzes data related to service area to monitor work. Understands and uses the basic functions of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and internet applications to effectively access resources and complete required tasks.

Program Planning & Evaluation:

• • Creates concrete plans for both the short (immediate to 3 months) and long (3 months to 1 year) term that demonstrate an understanding of the needs of a situation and the future implications of decisions.
  • Identifies the actions necessary to complete tasks and obtain results.
  • Implements policies fairly and consistently, models them in practice and makes recommendations for revisions as needed.
  •  Work with Education Team to analyze child outcome data to make decisions related to curriculum, classroom operations and teacher performance.
  • Understands and maintains a balance between results, process and relationships in accomplishing tasks.
•        Professional Development:
  • Critically reflects on own professional and educational practices from community, state, national, and global perspectives.
  • Uses Head Start Program Performance Standards and NAEYC code of ethics for making professional decisions.
  • Uses a regular system for coaching and feedback with direct reports that includes giving specific feedback, stating conclusions clearly and checking for understanding.
  • Uses an understanding of the needs, interests, strengths and weaknesses of others to identify opportunities for development and appropriate coaching and training methods.
• Performance Management:
  • Confronts controversial or difficult issues in an objective manner and has difficult conversations when required to improve the performance of others.
  • Reports information honestly even when it reflects negative results. 
  • Takes responsibility for the consequences of their own decisions and actions.
  • Completes required tasks according to stated timelines and at a high level of quality.
  • Achieves mutually beneficial results by cultivating instrumental internal and external relationships both formally and informally.
• Communication:
  • Maintains a positive, open and objective attitude toward others.
  • Writes and speaks clearly and grammatically correct.
  • Listens intently and asks questions to ensure full understanding.
  • Utilizes appropriate methods for interacting sensitively, effectively and professionally with persons from diverse cultural, economic, racial, ethnic and professional backgrounds, and persons of all ages and lifestyle preferences.
• Leadership:
  • Accepts responsibility for the actions of those they manage.
  • Deals with ambiguity and adapts to changing environments and circumstances.
  • Distinguishes appropriately between what should be done by others and what should be done oneself and delegates all appropriate tasks.
  • Sets and inspiring vision and clear expectations to build support from others.
  • Challenges the status quo to acknowledge the need for change and remove barriers to making change.

General Responsibilities

1. Participate in team meetings, conferences, training sessions and workshops as assigned.
2. Maintain confidentiality in regards to staff and family information.
3. Fulfill role as mandated reporter as stated in Child Abuse and Neglect Policy.
4. Perform any other work-related duties as requested by your supervisor.
5. Be present at work in order to provide consistency of services.
6. Be a contributory team member in a positive/productive manner.
7. Demonstrate commitment to mission, values, and policies in the performance of daily duties.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree required.  Social Science, Human Services, Early Childhood Development.
• Minimum of five (5) years of Head Start work experience required.
• Prior experience in Head Start Family Services, Head Start Monitoring, Head Start Education services and multi-site project management required.
• Must pass physical examination, background check and fingerprinting screen.
• Must be able to lift/move heavy and/or bulky objects weighing up to 40 75 lbs.
• Driver’s license (in good standing) required.
• Excellent computer/e-mail/word processing, PowerPoint, GoogleDocs skills required.

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