Early Childhood Job Center

Planning and Implementation:

• In collaboration with supervisor and Regional specialists, assume lead role in developing and implementing plans for the overall operation of the center,
• Establish center goals for service delivery and ensure that the center is making progress towards ECMHSP, Regional and Center goals and objectives.
• In coordination with supervisor and regional specialists, coordinate and implement, at the center level, an on-going process for completion of a community assessment involving appropriate staff, parents, and community partners.
• Develop, administer and monitor the execution of the center budget. 
• Ensure that the center is supplied with the necessary equipment, materials and supplies in accordance with ECMHSP Purchasing Procedures.
• Ensure development of the center Parent Committee. Schedule and attend all meetings based on parents’ preference of time and place. Secure translation of materials and interpretation at meetings, as needed.
• In cooperation with General Counsel/Risk Management Director, initiate and maintain all appropriate contracts for services for families and children served, and for the center facilities.
• Plan and conduct weekly coordinator meetings
• Open and close center or ensure that it is done by alternate in charge on daily basis.
• Ensure that all center inspections and center license are current.
• Monitor and analyze employee and child injuries and develop plans to keep them to a minimum.
• Ensure that all emergency drills are conducted according to established timelines.  During evacuations or drills, assume role as indicated in established procedures.
• Visit all classrooms daily to communicate with staff and observe classroom practices
• Ensure implementation of all ECMHPS service plans as described in content area manuals as well as the regional work plan.
• Develop and implement an on-going staff recruitment plan.
• Ensure that all new hire staff has all required criminal background checks completed and cleared before start working at the center.
• Approve leave requests for employees under direct supervision.
• Ensure that supervisory staff reviews payroll reports for employees under their supervision.
• Assist parents with management of parent activities funds, per ECMHSP guidelines.
• Work with Early Childhood Education Specialist (ECES) to ensure that the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Center Accreditation process is initiated and renewed as appropriate.  
• Attend all Direct Services Subcommittee meetings as requested by Supervisor.
• Assume lead role in meeting 20% of Center budget In-Kind match, developing contributions from the community, service providers, and parents.  Secure and submit, on monthly basis, documentation of all in-kind contributions needed to match the federal dollars received for operating the Migrant Head Start Program. 
• Update Community Resource Directory annually during seasonal center closure.

Communication and Collaboration:

• Establish and maintain a professional, warm, friendly, and respectful child centered environment in the center that supports the mission of ECMHSP
• Ensure that all visitors are greeted in a friendly and professional manner and are made to feel welcome in the center.
• Attend and participate in monthly Center Director meetings, trainings and other meetings, including overnight travel, as required and approved by supervisor.
• Attend staffing with appropriate center staff for Individualized Education Plan (IEP) referral and Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) development to ensure that the disability process is followed and supported. 
• Attend and participate in Family Advocacy Meetings (FAMs)
• Oversee the planning and implementation of transition activities in cooperation with the FSCs and the ECEC.
• In cooperation with the FSCs, support literacy efforts, which may include some attendance of classes held at night. 
• Represent and advocate for ECMHSP at community meetings, interagency groups and with service providers.
• Maintain respectful communication with children, their families, staff members, community and other center visitors.  Ensure all center staff follows same principles of communication.
• Maintain standards of confidentiality regarding children, their families, and fellow staff as outlined in ECMHSP Confidentiality Policy, and ensure that all center staff do the same.
• Interact with and receive technical assistance on program operation from Head Start Administrator or Director of Program Operations and Development, Program Managers, other ECMHSP department staff, and consultants as directed by supervisor.  Support center staff in working with these staff members as well
• Based on needs identified through Community Assessment and Family Partnership Plans, develop collaborative efforts with community agencies to encourage mutually beneficial relationships (sharing resources/trainings, etc).  Document communication with these agencies.  Maintain written collaborative agreements where appropriate. Provide opportunities for staff to provide input and feedback on Collaborative Agreements.
• In collaboration with HDSC and other designated staff, ensure that Mental Health Consultant provides observations in the classroom and timely follow-up as needed.
• Solicit input from staff for inclusion in content area manuals.
• Maintain a professional attitude with open communication and support a positive environment in the center to promote the social, emotional and mental wellness of staff, children and families.  Ensure that all staff do the same.

Supervision and Professional Development:

• Recruit, screen, interview and hire center staff, in cooperation with the assigned Staff Development/HR Specialist and other appropriate staff, following the guidelines established in the Human Resources Manual.
• Provide leadership, support and supervision to direct reports to enable them to meet the responsibilities outlined in their job descriptions.
• Ensure that staff disciplinary actions are completed in a timely manner. 
• Ensure that the center is fully staffed with qualified staff.
• Conduct full staff meetings monthly or more frequently as needed; securing input for agenda items from center staff.
• Arbitrate differences among staff with input and guidance from Human Resources Department and/or Supervisor.
• Conduct regularly scheduled performance evaluations on staff under supervision in accordance with Personnel Policy guidelines. 
• Develop individualized Professional Development Plans with employees under supervision, in consultation with Staff Development/HR Specialist.
• Ensure that other supervisors conduct timely performance evaluations and develop Professional Development Plans with staff they supervise.
• In coordination with ECES and Staff Development/HR Specialist, support teaching staff in attainment of Child Development Associate (CDA), Associate or Bachelor degrees in Early Childhood, Education or a related field.
• Attend training/courses for professional growth according to Professional Development Plan and for the benefit of children and families served.
• Ensure that designated center staff receive food service training related to preparation, serving and clean-up of food.
• Ensure provision of Pre-Service, In-Service, and other training for staff, in collaboration with Supervisor, Specialists, Managers, Human Resources and Program Support Departments, etc.
• Conduct observation of at least one home visit per season for each Health Disability Service Coordinator (HDSC) and Family Service Coordinator (FSC).
• Ensure that volunteers are trained and have completed necessary documentation.

Record Keeping and Reporting:

• Establish and maintain center record keeping systems that comply with ECMHSP and state licensing requirements.
• Report immediately any case of suspected child abuse following appropriate agency guidelines.
• Report to the Supervisor all incidents related to safety, child abuse and neglect, legal issues, serious personnel issues, emergency situations, and violations of policy which are detrimental to ECMHSP or to the children and families.
• Prepare and promptly forward all forms and reports (including but not limited to Program Information Report (PIR), Disability Monthly Report (DMR) with feedback from specialist) in a timely and accurate manner to the appropriate person, making sure appropriate procedures are followed in their completion.
• Review and monitor center paperwork and files per ECMHSP monitoring system requirements.
• Submit Purchase Orders (POs) and Vehicle Mileage Usage Records on weekly basis to the appropriate person.
• Review payroll reports for accuracy and submit to Payroll Manager.
• Ensure timely and complete submission of all HR/personnel and fiscal paper work.
• Ensure that all staff licensing files and children’s records are maintained, updated as needed, and kept confidential.
• Support staff in entering accurate data into required data bases on a timely basis.

Ongoing Monitoring:

• Ensure that ECMHSP monitoring system is implemented at center, including qualitative monitoring and monitoring to ensure data is entered correctly and on a timely basis.
• Monitor FAM follow up assignments to ensure services to children and families are taking place.
• Monitor the USDA/CACFP programs, including but not limited to, ensuring that all record-keeping is completed and submitted to the Child Nutrition Manager in an accurate and timely manner. Monitor that food services including food preparation storage, meal time and clean-up are completed in safe and sanitary manner. Ensure that only designated adults eat food prepared by Center Cook.
• Ensure that food and kitchen supplies are purchased with contracted/authorized vendor except in emergency situations.
• Monitor NAEYC Accreditation application and renewal process to ensure that appropriate staff completes required tasks.
• Maintain up to date safety logs and discuss at each coordinator meeting
• Ensure up-to-date inventories are maintained (food, equipment, supplies).
• Ensure that the safety and well-being of the children is monitored at all times, including medication policy. Ensure that the classrooms, playground, and buses are monitored for cleanliness and are free of dangerous equipment and debris.
• Ensure that all safety equipment and procedures are used in the daily operations in the classrooms and kitchen, including appropriate attire such as non-slip shoes and gloves and hairnets for the Cook.
• Monitor the accurate completion of all information and each center’s report submission dates to ensure statistics can collectively be compiled and reports generated for ECMHSP Management in a timely manner.

Facilities, Maintenance and Safety:

• In collaboration with Supervisor and Maintenance Technician, immediately correct all facility deficiencies cited by local, state, federal licensing representatives, ECMHSP and federal program reviewers.
• Ensure annual inspection of all fire extinguishers in the building and project vehicles.
• Ensure kitchen hood is inspected for safety every six months.
• Ensure building and equipment is maintained, in safe working order and are in compliance with Americans with Disabilities (ADA) requirements. Arrange for necessary repairs and routine check-ups in coordination with Facilities Manager and Supervisor.
• Ensure arrangement of center so that families and visitors can be greeted upon entering the center.
• In cooperation with Director of Human Resources and workers compensation provider, implement recommendation for improving center safety.

ERSEA:

• In collaboration with center staff and Regional office, develop an ongoing Center Recruitment Plan and participate in plan as indicated.
• Monitor recruitment efforts to ensure that center recruitment is taking place as planned and on and ongoing basis.
• Compile recruitment reports from coordinating staff and submit to Supervisor as required.
• Submit a weekly recruitment results report to the Head Start Administrator.
• Each month, review 10% of the enrolled children’s files to certify that they meet eligibility requirements.
• Ensure that center maintains full enrollment relative to monthly projections.
• Monitor center attendance and procedures regularly to ensure 85% Average Daily Attendance.
• Ensure that at least 10% of funded enrollment opportunities are made available for children with disabilities. Ensure that no more than 10% of children recruited exceed the low-income guidelines.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

ECMHSP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable law.