Assistant Center Director

Children and Families First   Job title   Assistant Center Director Programs HS/EHS Reports to   Center Director   General Description  It is the responsibility of the Assistant Center Director to assist the Center Director in ensuring that the center is providing the level of quality as described by the Head Start Quality Criteria and the NAEYC Accreditation Criteria.   Essential Duties and Responsibilities Assist the Center Director with the following responsibilities by completing specific, assigned tasks or assisting with tasks. A. Program Ensure implementation in all classrooms of a developmentally appropriate curriculum as described by NAEYC and a culturally relevant curriculum as described by the ACF Principles of MultiCultural programming; Ensure that curriculum integrates all components into the classroom activities and environment; Maintain a physical environment that conforms to governmental and agency standards of safety and cleanliness, is conducive to optimal growth and development of the children who attend the center, and meets state licensing standards; Integrate all components into the program by working closely with component coordinators in implementing the program and delivering services; Ensure that all required services are provided for each child and family in the unit; Coordinate the delivery of services with the appropriate component coordinator; Annually hold an orientation event which will thoroughly orient parents to center and provide information on activities for use at home; Provide information to parents regarding educational programs and other program activities through the Program Newsletter and parent information area in the center; Assist the Family Advocate(s) to assign classrooms and schedule children; Perform any other job-related tasks as assigned. B. Staff Supervision Assist in the supervision and evaluation of personnel, paid and volunteer, as requested; Schedule assignments of all center personnel as requested; Plan and conduct regular and called meetings of center staff as requested; Ensure that each staff member establishes and maintains open communication with families through attending parent meetings and encouraging parent involvement; Plan for the delegation of staff responsibilities (including bus duty and assignment of groups of children to each staff member; Arrange for substitutes to fill in for permanent employees when needed as requested; Ensure staff participation in the overall program-wide recruitment effort. C. Operations Ensure that newly enrolled children have completed information on file; Supervise record keeping for the center that is required by governmental and agency policy such as records of children's enrollment, attendance and progress, anecdotal, personnel evaluations, health and safety inspections, and fire drills; Coordinate with center staff and Family Advocates to keep enrollment of children at capacity; Ensure that each teacher monitors each child in their class in order to maintain good attendance; Maintain confidentiality of records; Inspect building and grounds for cleanliness, needed repairs and general upkeep; Report to Center Director all unsafe or hazardous center conditions; Make referrals to other components as necessary; Conduct monthly fire drills; Collect and promptly submit reports, invoices, volunteer time sheets, records etc. required by the program to the appropriate person(s); Report suspected case of abuse to Protective Services; Promptly distribute memos, menus, and other materials to parents; Compile with staff, materials for Program Newsletter; If no substitute is available, assist classroom teacher; Attend center parent committee meetings; Participate in staff meetings as called. D. Professionalism When implementing the strategies for meeting the goals of the program, make decisions based on knowledge of child development theories and appropriate practices. Abide by the NAEYC Code of Ethics. Continuously identify areas for professional growth and actively pursue opportunities for addressing these areas. Some options for increasing knowledge and skills are actively participating in in-service staff development programs; taking college courses; reading articles in professional journals and/or books, attending local, state, regional and national conferences and seminars. Participate in activities which inform the community of the services and goals of the agency       Essential Qualifications 1. A BS/BA degree in Child Development/Early Childhood Education or a BS/BA out of field with 18 semester hours in classwork pertaining to the preschool education of children 0-4 preferred. An AA degree in Child Development may be accepted or equivalent experience; NC Early Childhood Administration III preferred. 2. At least two years experience in an early childhood education program, and supervision experience in Head Start (or a similar program) is preferred. 3. Demonstrated ability to supervise others. 4. Demonstrated ability to organize and implement procedures essential to the operation of a Child Development Center. 5. Successful completion of Infant/Child or Community CPR Course and a Red Cross First Aid Course within the first 6 months of employment. Must renew CPR annually and First Aid every 3 years. 6. Demonstrated willingness to actively pursue appropriate professional development opportunities. 7. Demonstrated ability to perform effectively the duties required for the job including verbal ability to communicate, auditory capacity to respond to children and adults, visual ability to complete written assignments and physical ability to complete assignments given accommodations as required by law.   Americans with Disability and Workers’ Compensation Specifications   While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk hear, taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close, distance, color, peripheral depth and the ability to adjust focus While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.