Head Start Director

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Head Start Director is responsible for assuring all the Head Start program mandates and standards for excellence are met on a daily basis. This position develops the structure, systems and procedures to facilitate this. In addition to operating responsibility for fiscal, legal, and programmatic aspects of the program, it bears the responsibility of assuring that the program is strategically positioned for the future. At the discretion of the Head Start Director, some responsibilities may be delegated to other staff.

This job description is illustrative and not all-inclusive.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership

• Administers all components of the Head Start Program as described in the Performance Standards to include education, social services, parent involvement, health, nutrition, disabilities, career development and administration;
• Promote a culture that reflects the organization's values, encourages maximum performance, and recognizes the productivity of the staff;
• Assures that the organization, its mission, programs, and services are consistently presented in a strong positive manner to the community; and
• Cultivate participation and future leadership within the department and community.

Supervision

• Select, manage, develop, train, evaluate and discipline employees, contractors, and volunteers;
• Facilitate resolution of conflicts;
• Promote a consistent exchange of information across the organization;
• Encourage and support professional development opportunities; and
• Facilitate conflict resolution.

Program Development/Management

• Plan and facilitate regular leadership meetings;
• Participate and lead the design of internal structures, systems and policies;
• Ensure adequate systems are in place to maintain highest quality of services to children and families in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards;
• Ensure consistency in service delivery across programs with attention to inclusive practices and integration of component areas; encourage continuous improvement systems;
• Ensure coordination among components, across levels and within the organization;
• Oversee and participate in the development of program interagency agreements and contracts;
• Research and pursue resources for continual program development, ex. Grants, foundations, donations, etc.; and
• Complete direct service work alongside the program staff, working a variety of shifts and duties. Provide direct supervision and training to the program staff, while continually assessing duties, schedules, etc. for maximum effectiveness.

Finance

• Manage fiscal operations including budgets, grants, scheduled expenditures and requisitions, and analyze variances; and
• Ensure compliance with tribal, federal, state, non-profit, and other funding agency requirements.

Communication

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Tribal officials, departmental administrators, representatives of contracted agencies to include federal, state, educational, non-profit and other agencies/institutions/organizations; and
• Create an optimal workplace by encouraging open communication between departments, programs, staff, volunteers, and community members.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree required, Master's degree preferred in early childhood education, child development, psychology, social welfare, public administration, education or relevant field with a minimum of three (3) years of progressive responsibility in supervisory/management positions including experience working with boards and advisory committees.
• Meet any criteria requirements set forth by the funding source;

• Valid New Mexico Driver's License and insurable through the Tribe's insurance carrier;
• Must not have any DUI/DWI convictions within the last five (5) years from any Tribal, State or

Federal Court;

• Must pass a background check successfully; and
• Must pass a drug/alcohol screening.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of Tribal and department policies and procedures;
• Knowledge of tribal, federal, and state laws and regulations related the area of projects;

• Knowledge of Head Start philosophy, standards and the ability to implement is principle of shared authority and decision-making;
• Knowledge of theory and techniques in regards to fiscal, grant and budget preparation administration to include SCP policies pertinent to the expenditure of funds relative to the mission to include required SCP fiscal documentation;
• Knowledge of SCP personnel hiring, pay, discipline and termination procedure;
• Knowledge of methods and techniques of personal motivation, organization, supervision and evaluation in order to emphasize accountability;
• Knowledge of appropriate personnel requirements such as Equal Opportunity Act, Civil Rights Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Sexual Harassment prohibitions;
• Knowledge of time management and the effect on one's well-being and stress level;
• Knowledge of the steps to effective conflict resolution;
• Knowledge of problem solving techniques;
• Knowledge of project evaluation procedures and processes;
• Skill in strong leadership, supervisory, negotiation, and interpersonal skills for restructuring priorities to meet changing goals or objectives;
• Skill in writing letters and reports and filling out forms for routine operations;
• Skill in collecting, grouping, organizing information;
• Skill in building group consensus to meet objectives through give and take;
• Ability to develop new insights into situations in order to improve the situation, increase efficiencies, or to mitigate safety problems;
• Ability to function as an effective team member to interact and communicate effectively with staff and tribal leadership and able to recognize changing conditions, develop alternative strategies and take appropriate action;
• Ability to be decisive in leadership roles and use sound reasoning to arrive at a conclusion/decision and to recognize and correct unsafe practices and conditions;
• Ability of effective listening, speaking, and writing skills;
• Ability to perform computer skills such as word processing, software applications, email, internet and spreadsheets;
• Ability to perform duties under stressful and adverse conditions, such as long work hours, and emergency situations; and
• Ability to develop and recommend reporting systems for monitoring grant and contract development status.

PHYSICAL/WORK ENVIORNMENT:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee is frequently exposed to high, precarious places and outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Travel may be periodically required for training, meetings and presentations and incumbent may be required to work occasional nights and/or weekends.