Characteristics of Work

Under the direction of the Associate Vice President of Head Start and Early Childhood Programs, the Center Administrator will be responsible for the overall operation of the center, including personnel supervision and program management.

Qualifications

B.S. Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Business Administration, or closely related field, i.e. Social Work, Psychology, or Public Administration, with at least two (2) years of supervisory experience. A two-year college degree in Child Development Technology or English and 10 years of work experience, which must include at least 6 years of management and supervision in a Preschool Program, may be substituted for the B. S. Degree requirement. Must be able to communicate effectively, oral and written. Must have good basic computer skills.

Essential Functions

These essential functions include but are not limited to, the following. Additional essential functions may be identified by the Agency and/or as prescribed by the Associate Vice President of Head Start and Early Childhood Programs.

Planning and Developing

Plans for field trips and submits requests and plans in a timely manner.

Assists with the assignments of children with disabilities.

Assign bus monitors as needed.

Ensures staff-to-child ratio is maintained during all hours of operation.

Take a leadership role in planning and maintaining full parental involvement at the center level. Provide resources to Parent Committee members.

Operates the center in conformity with governmental and agency standards for the physical safety and well-being of children and adults at the center.

Assists in the development and implementation of goals, policies, and activities to achieve the implementation of the program’s mission, objectives, and performance standards.

Must be detail-oriented and possess excellent organizational and analytical skills with the ability to research best practices and compliance guidance, complete work accurately, meet deadlines and follow through on job duties and projects.

Ability to prioritize workload, multi-task, and be flexible.

Communicating

Communicates with parents by working closely with the center committee in accordance with performance standards for Parent Involvement.

Ability to liaise effectively with a range of relevant authorities, individuals, and organizations; demonstrate effective interpersonal, leadership, public speaking, and management skills.

Provides an arena for Parents’ concerns, questions, etc., and communicates with them in a congenial, non-threatening manner.

Recruits and recommends classroom substitutes, volunteers, and in-kind contributions.

Communicates with parents by exhibiting sensitivity towards the needs and individual differences in children and adults.

Requests additional human or material resources in a timely manner as needed. Should have the ability to seek supervision and use it constructively.

Recruits volunteers and in-kind contributions.

Recruits children for enrollment in Head Start.

Ability to convey information in a way that is strategic, honest, timely, and respectful.

Enthusiasm for data, analytics, and data-driven decision-making.

Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to the mission of Hinds County Human Resource Agency.

Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail.
Excellent customer service, interpersonal, and communication skills.

Serves on program committees and committees and boards of other organizations affiliated with children and families.

Training

Provides orientation for new employees and volunteers as assigned.

Provides on-site orientation for new employees and volunteers.

Participates in staff meetings, team planning sessions, parent meetings, workshops and training sessions, including, but not limited to, Policy Council training.

Provides orientation for all parents as assigned.

Conducts and documents monthly fire drills and periodic tornado drills.

Conducts parent and staff meetings and other pertinent meetings.

Increases staff retention through mentorships and professional development.

Monitoring

Monitors and evaluates the performance of center staff as it relates to CLASS and other instructional duties.

Monitors all center activities (including folders) on a regular and/or unannounced basis in accordance with developmentally appropriate practice guidelines. Makes periodic checks of referrals to ensure that needed services are provided.

Rides with Bus Drivers as required, reporting any areas where improvement is needed.

Inspec