Early Childhood Job Center

The Head Start Director has the responsibility of establishing the direction and vision of the Program.  Directs the performance and operation of the entire organization.  

Essential Job Functions:

• Directs the strategic planning and improvement processes for the organization.
• Sets goals and objectives for assigned programs.
• Ensures quality through continuous program improvement.
• Ensures processes and systems for exceptional customer service are in place across the organization.
• Ensure organization provides services that build the foundation for strong educational and personal success for the children served.
• Builds effective interpersonal relationships across the organization, throughout the community, State of Alaska, other agency programs, the governing body and Policy Council.
• Explores other models for delivery of services, analyzes potential for success and makes recommendations for implementation of alternative methods.
• Ensure education environment supports the development of all enrolled children’s social and emotional development and cognitive, language, and physical skills.
• Develops, implements, and monitors policies and procedures that reflect the quality and safe delivery of Head Start services.
• Ensures compliance with all Federal, State, and Municipal requirements and grants.
• Ensures timely and accurate reporting of program results.
• Investigates new funding opportunities.
• Works with staff to ensure compliance with policies, procedures, bylaws, regulatory requirements, and best practice guidelines. 
• Directs the performance and operation of the organization.
• Plans and facilitates training and development of staff to improve performance. 
• Develops, monitors, assesses, reviews and evaluates employee performance based on the established standards. 
• Ensures annual license renewal packet is submitted in a timely manner.
• Ensures readiness for accreditation at all times for the organization.  
• Delegates work appropriately to direct reports in an effective manner.
• Ensures adequate staffing across the organization.   
• Ensures compliance with all applicable regulations, policies, procedures and standards. 
• Approves procedures and standards and recommends policies for the organization consistent with regulatory and other established standards to the Board of Directors for approval.  
• Administers human resources corporate wide personnel programs and policies with responsibility for selections, promotions, awards, corrective actions and performance systems.
• Ensures timely and meaningful evaluations of all employees.
• Acts as the Building Administrator to ensure compliance with Municipal Childcare Licensing requirements.
• Ensures Child Care regulations are met.
• Coordinates follow up activities in response to Municipality audits.
• Directs the allocation of resources for budgets including revenues and expenditures timely and effectively for the Head Start Program.
• Responsible for working with the Board of Directors to ensure financial sustainability of the organization.
• Approves established budget targets for revenues and expenditures each year. 
• Seeks out ways to acquire additional funding and resources.
• Monitors budget expenditures and revenues on a regular basis in order to achieve established budget targets.
• Ensures the development and implementation of processes and methods to improve revenues and reduce expenditures. 
• Oversees the administration and maintenance of facilities, materials and equipment.

Necessary Skills and Knowledge:

• Must be familiar with Alaska Native/American Indian heritage and culture and must be able to serve and effectively communicate with the children and families enrolled in the CINHS program.
• Knowledge and skill in staff education and implementing exceptional customer service practices.
• Ability to use appropriate computer based software.
• Demonstrated proficiency in managing budgets, including revenue and expenditures timely and effectively.
• Strong oral, written, interpersonal and presentation skills. 
• Demonstrated proficiency in management of human resource function.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the development, education and training of employees.
• Demonstrated proficiency in overseeing and managing the strategic planning process. 
• Demonstrated ability to supervise employees. 
• Ability to do grant research and writing.
• Ability to manage a program or department. 
• Knowledge and skill of teaching and implementing exceptional customer services standards. 
• Must demonstrate above average skills in personnel and program management. 
•  Ability to develop and implement new programs. 
• Ability to assess and measure program success. 
• Knowledge and ability to facilitate large scale projects.
• Ability to maintain quality, safety and infection control standards.
• Flexibility with respect to time and days able to work, as well as work tasks.
• Other duties as assigned.