Center Director

Save the Children

For over 100 years, Save the Children has been fighting for the rights of children. The right to a healthy start in life. To have access to education. To be in a safe environment, protected from harm. We work in some of the world's hardest-to-reach places - over 100 countries, including the U.S. No matter what your role is, when you join Save the Children, you're creating positive, irreversible change for children, and the future we all share.

The Role

This position is responsible for the general and day-to-day operations of a Head Start/Early Head Start center or cluster of outlying centers. You will be responsible for providing coverage to multiple classrooms, ensuring compliance with federal, state and local regulations; communicating with parents and the community; supervising and monitoring all staff assigned to the center(s). The Center Director may be reassigned to various centers as deemed necessary for program operations.

As a front-line representative of Save the Children, Center Directors are required to ensure the safety and security of children and families that he/she comes into contact with, adhering to the agency's values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaborations, Creativity and Integrity.

What You'll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

• Plans and implements classroom activities based on the individual needs of the children and according to the appropriate level of the child.
• Provides a balanced program of open learning and structured activities.
• Ensure that the child development, disabilities, curriculum, and performance standards are strictly adhered to in all programs.
• Maintains classroom discipline using developmentally appropriate techniques.
• Promote best practices in early childhood development based on Head Start Performance Standards, Creative Curriculum, and other prescribed curriculum used at Save the Children Head Start.
• Provides for constant supervision of all children during all activities indoors and outdoors; provides a safe environment by setting up a protective classroom and outdoor play area.
• Plans for and equips indoor and outdoor areas to meet children's developmental and safety needs in accordance with budget.
• Assist Education Manager with the transition of Head Start children at your center.
• Participate in an individualized continuing education plan including CPR and First Aid.
• Conducts and documents home visits, conducts parent-teacher conferences as needed or required and plans family activities and encourages family involvement.
• Maintains documentation as required by agency.
• Participate in school readiness committee.
• Travel as needed throughout the Head Start areas.
• Arrange family fairs, events, and activities for the center.
• Responsible for monthly safety checks, fire drills as well as updating of any safety logs.
• Investigate any child or staff incidents, assuring all forms are complete and notifying the appropriate supervisor.
• Attend IEP meetings as needed or requested.
• Receives and refers to verbal and written complaints to Family/Community Partnership Manager about the center while supporting the Parent/Community Complaint procedure at the center level.
• Develops and facilitates a positive community presence in the community, focusing on networking opportunities, enhancement of volunteer participation and educational awareness efforts about program needs.
• Responsible for monitoring and compliance with applicable local, state and federal rules, regulations and standards as well as with any state and federal contracts, health, safety and licensing regulations.
• Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start children, families, and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Submits verbal and /or written reports to immediate supervisor or Head Start Director on the activities and status of the center on a regular basis and management team meetings.
• Monitor employee on-site file requirements and keep them secure in locked files.
• Will assist Family/Community Partnership Manager making sure all of the children's files have correct/organized content and security.
• Contributes to the collection and edit processes of correct documentation for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). This process is important and contributes additional dollars which in turn enhances food delivery
• Serves as co-chair of the School Readiness Team supporting the chair of the committee.
• Expected to be knowledgeable of the regulations associated with prevention of occupational disease and injury, including the exercise of universal precautions and the prevention of contamination.
• Supervises the Assistant Teacher and other employees in the center and provides guidance as needed
• Work with Early Childhood Education Team to develop a schedule for conducting classroom observations as a foundation for determining needs.
• Develop individual mentor coaching plans, with specific goals and areas for growth identified which are based on classroom and teacher observations.
• Support staff in ensuring that required screenings, assessments and overall individualization occur in classrooms.
• Provide constructive feedback and support to teaching staff for learning and growth. This may include but not limited to activities, reading material, or other resources needed to guide learning.
• Train new teaching staff and maintain support as needed while they gain knowledge of their role and the responsibilities of their position.
• Plan and present small group workshops on relevant child development topics based on program monitoring outcomes
• Arranges substitutes for center.
• Models and exercises supervisory authority to support other employees in the execution of work duties in a manner consistent with STC Head Start standards for compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including STC Head Start policies and procedures reflecting best practices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in early childhood development or related field plus at least two (2) years of relevant experience
• Proven work experience in a position that directly relates to the implementation and monitoring of program operations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of program planning and practices in infant/toddler and preschool center-based programs' thorough knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards and best practices related to early childhood education.
• Proven knowledge of general business practices including supervision, accounts payable, inventory control, and risk management.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate successfully with individuals and teams at all levels, whether internal or external
• Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, children and parents, and outside agencies.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English
• Professional proficiency in MS Office suite
• Demonstrated ability to successfully oversee and operate the day-to-day program in compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations.
• Demonstrated successful time management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish or English and other languages used by children and families).

Additional Qualifications

• Physical Requirements related to essential functions: Ability to perform medium to heavy physical work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently and up to 5-10 pounds constantly, performing such activities as sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting and grasping. This also includes some duties that require repetitive action and motion skills, keyboarding, and computer use.
• Clear pre-employment background check requirements, including local, state, and national criminal records check, sex offender registries, employment, and education verifications (including child abuse registry check if required by state regulations) and pass all state and local health requirements required post job offer and prior to employment.
• This position may require the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle to fulfill certain essential functions of the job. The incumbent should maintain a valid driver's license and remain in compliance with any Save the Children policies pertaining to the safe operation of motor vehicles.
• Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.

Compensation

The base pay for this position starts at $53,770. Actual base salary may vary based upon, but not limited to, experience, credentials, base salary of internal peers and other relevant qualifications specific to the role.

About Us

We are looking to build an inclusive team at Save the Children. We offer a range of outstanding benefits to support this goal:

• Paid time off: 10 days winter break and 5 days spring break, 5 personal days, 11 holidays plus 2 floating holidays per year.
• Health: Competitive health care, dental and vision coverage for you and your family. Employer paid short term disability and long-term disability benefits.
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA): Option to select HSA if enrolled into a High-Deductible Health Plan in which the company matches a portion of the contribution.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Option to enroll in health care and dependent care options.
• Life: Agency paid life and accidental death and dismemberment benefits (AD&D).
• Family: Parental/adoption, fertility benefits
• Employee Rewards Program: Annual merit increases and/or additional incentives for eligible employees
• Retirement: Retirement savings plan with employer contributions (after one year)
• Wellness: Health benefits and support through Calm and company-hosted events
• Employee Assistance Program: Free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services
• Learning & Growth: Access to internal and external learning & development opportunities and mentorships. Certification and tuition assistance.

Click here to learn more about how Save the Children US will invest in you.

Save the Children is committed to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and helping protect the children with whom we are in contact. All Save the Children representatives are explicitly prohibited from engaging in any activity that may result in any kind of child abuse.

Save the Children is committed to minimizing safety and security risks for our valued employees, ensuring all are given training, support and information to reduce their risk exposure while maximizing the impact of our programs for children and families. Our shared duty, both agency and individual, is to seek and maintain safe working conditions for all.

If you require disability assistance with the application or recruitment process, please submit a request to applicantsupport@savechildren.org.