Job Title: Child Development Manager

Department: Office of Head Start/Early Head Start

Funding Source/Program: HS/EHS

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

FSLA Status: Exempt

Compensation Level: Level 8

Reporting to: HS/EHS Assistant Director of Support Services

Date Prepared: 12/19/2011

Revision Date: 09/01/2022

POSITION SUMMARY

The primary scope of this position is to be responsible for leading the curriculum development, implementation, and on-going monitoring processes to ensure age-appropriateness, cultural, social, language, literacy, and other cognitive developmental needs of children. Responsibilities also include partnering with school districts, and partner programs and agencies to ensure the Head Start and Early Head Start programs are meeting expectations for preparing children for school; while actively and consistently striving to provide an exemplary, innovative birth to five program that provides comprehensive, high-quality services through commitment and leadership to empower the ‘whole child and whole family’ by partnering with family, staff, and the community.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure all Head Start and Early Head Start standards and philosophy are ingrained in all activities and approaches.
• Responsible for hiring, supervising and professional development of the Child Development content area staff.
• Train teachers, other staff, and parents in Head Start/Early Head Start core areas regarding child development (including developmentally appropriate practices).
• Partner with Center Administrators to provide consultation services in the areas Child Development.
• Assist site staff in designing children’s areas that are environmentally stimulating and create an atmosphere that is warm and caring and welcoming to the children.
• Assist in planning, designing, and purchasing of childcare furnishing, equipment, and consumable supplies.
• Conduct an annual review of curriculum being taught in the childcare centers to ensure it continues to address the children’s needs, is culturally sensitive, and meets with the approval of Head Start Policy Council.
• Collect data and prepare reports on department tasks.
• Ensure parents and relevant staff are involved in the choosing of curriculum and related teaching. Coordinate with appropriate staff to set information sessions for parents to make them aware of teaching materials and strategies to be used for their children (ensure all curricula/activities/materials are developmentally appropriate).
• Assist teaching staff in developing and measuring learning outcomes and individualizing curriculum to meet children’s needs.
• Partner with site staff to ensure all developmental screenings and ongoing assessments occur within timelines.
• Partner with site staff to ensure that curriculum, lesson plans and daily schedule is implemented/followed daily.
• Establish policies, procedures, and database tracking system for effective and efficient Child Development service provision.
• Ensure there is a monitoring system in place so that all children and their families are receiving all needed services.
• Collaborate with Operations Support Managers to ensure that all sites are NAEYC accredited.
• Collaborate with Special Services Manager regarding child development services for children with special needs.
• Coordinate with Specialists, Licensing and Accreditation in the development of new or improved teaching approaches.
• Coordinate with the Head Start/Early Head Assistant Directors to identify the needs, problems, and expectations, of staff in relation to materials and teaching strategies.
• Coordinate with all content area Specialists to understand the needs that should be addressed in the children’s curriculum.
• Responsible for the on-going monitoring of the Child Development content area.
• Oversee service contracts and service delivery agreements pertinent to the department.
• Oversee department budget.
• Participate in proposal and budget preparation.
• Develop a Written department plan detailing objectives, outcomes, and procedures.
• Partner with site staff to ensure home visits and Parent/Teacher Conferences are completed within timelines.
• Identifies in-kind donations and secures necessary documentation.
• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.
• This job description may be revised upon development of other duties and changes in responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL TRAITS/COMPENTENCIES

Essential traits for this position are as follows:

• Must be a self-starter.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with team members and management.
• Must be results oriented.
• Must have superior organizational and time management skills.
• Must be able to work independently or on teams in challenging work atmosphere.
• Must have an exceptional aptitude for attention to detail.
• Must be able to prioritize and balance multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment.
• Must be able to plan and complete tasks and assignments on-schedule with minimal supervision using appropriate judgment.
• Must be able to exercise appropriate judgment, discretion, maintain the confidentiality of all Gulf Coast Community Services Association (GCCSA) stakeholders.
• Must be able to contribute to building a positive team spirit; put success of team above own interests; support everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Must be able to show respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; promote a harassment-free environment.
• Must be able to treat people with respect and dignity; work with integrity and ethically uphold the Agency's mission and values.

QUALIFICATIONS

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Education/Experience

Bachelor’s Degree required in Early Childhood Development, Elementary Education, or related field. Master’s Degree preferred. Combination of lesser education with strong proven experience may be considered. Minimum of three (3) years of classroom teaching experience. Minimum of two (2) years of management experience. Desired curriculum development and analysis background. Knowledge of adult learning styles, and successful approaches to adult learning. Experience in Head Start/Early Head Start preferred. Experience and knowledge of NAEYC Accreditation. Experience in working with children, preferably birth to five years. Training experience desirable. Experience working in multi-disciplinary teams. Knowledge of problems of low-income families, especially minority groups.

Communication Skills

Must have the ability to read and comprehend intermediate to complex instructions. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred. Able to write concise, logical, and grammatically correct written communication and the ability to write simple and clear correspondence. Excellent oral and written communication skills are necessary to interact with all levels of management, colleagues, and staff to ensure consistency and proper procedure implementation.

Mathematical Skills

Basic math skills required.

Computer Skills

Must be able to work in a computerized environment and have intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Applications including but not limited to: Windows, MS Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Power Point and MS Access.

Licensing/Certifications

Must be able to provide reliable transportation.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

Safety is one of our core company values. When necessary, employees may be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE). The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may regularly be required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to sit and use hands. Additionally, the employee is required to stand and walk. Employee must be able to lift items from the floor up to 50 pounds, reach overhead and to the floor.

The work environment is that which is typical of an office setting. The noise level in the environment is usually quiet to moderately noisy.