Head Start Director

#nowhiring

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant.

LSF is seeking a talented Head Start Director who wants to make an impact in the lives of others.

Purpose and Impact:

Provide overall leadership in the planning, design, implementation, and evaluation of the operations for multiple Head Start/Early Head Start Programs in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards and 2007 Head Start Act mandates and requirements. The position requires contact and interaction with Federal Regional Office, licensing agencies, community agencies/partners, local public school administrators, and state/local government agencies.  In addition, this position is responsible for the oversight of grant management, budget, operations, Head Start 10 management systems, performance benchmarks, training and technical assistance, legal, and program governance. 

Essential Functions: 

Program Administration & Monitoring 

• Provides guidance and leadership to staff that emphasize the importance of achieving program requirements and high standards of quality. 
• Responsible for meeting program performance measures in ensuring the following: 80% of children are kindergarten ready, meet and/or exceeds the state threshold for Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) kindergarten readiness rate, and has Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) scores above the lowest 10% threshold as determine by the Office of Head Start. 
• Prepare and completes funding application annually (g. program narrative, budget, and budget narrative, performance measures, and training/technical assistant plan). 
• Plans, organizes, directs and evaluates activities of Head Start/Early Head Start day to day operations to ensure compliance with program, statutory, and regulatory requirements (g. education, family services, ERSEA, disabilities, CCFP, health, nutrition, mental health, transportation, and facilities). 
• Oversees, develop, maintain, and monitor all contractual and service agreements (MOU) with appropriate service providers and community partners (g. LEA, Part-C, Mental Health, Dental, Health, VPK, etc.). 
• Ensures the program maintains a 100% funded enrollment; 10% disability enrollment, and  meets the 45 and 90 days screening requirement according to the Head Start Performance Standards/Regulations at all times. 
• Oversees the planning, coordination, preparation, and implementation of successful federal, state, and local audit reviews.  
• Responsible for the dissemination, reporting, and ongoing planning for program data to ensure staff are analyzing and implementing corrective action steps (g. MBI, compliance plans, child outcomes, family outcomes, budget short falls, etc.).   
• Assures remediation for any non-compliances discovered with the grantee or delegate through assessments, audits, and compliance plans by incorporating action steps to ensure compliance. 
• Responsible for coordination, implementation and oversight of the strategic planning process for which long and short term goals are reviewed and established in conjunction with the governing bodies. 
• Implements, monitors, and provides direction for the coordination and implementation of the agency work plan (MBO), policy and procedures, and ongoing monitoring and planning activities. 
• Responsible for the oversight and implementation of the annual self-assessment process; and preparing a summary report for the Policy Council, Board of Directors, and the executive leadership. 
• Develops monitoring system that will ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulatory processes, performance standards/regulations, and licensing requirements. 
• Conducts and participates in monthly program management meetings. 
• Attends Head Start association/board meetings, conferences and workshops on the federal, state, and local level as supervisor deems 
• Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start/Early Head Start children, families and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures. 
• Attends all required staff and parent meetings and activities. 
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Program Governance 

• Responsible for developing and recruiting Policy Council members to ensure there is representation of parents and community according to the Head Start Performance Standards, 2007 Head Start Act, and program governance bylaws.  
• Establishes and maintains an effective working relationship with members of the Policy Council to ensure adequate flow of information is communicate and disseminated in regards to budget/financial statements, grant application, self-assessment, selection criteria, bylaws, personnel, program performance/outcomes, community assessment, program information and annual report. 
• Completes and submits written reports to the Board of Directors (BOD) and the Policy Council in regards to fiscal and programmatic status of the program and administrative activities. 
• Responsible for dissemination of communication from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Head Start Regional Office, funding sources, and external audits to the policy council as required.  
• Assists the Policy Council in the areas of policy formulation and implementation, organizational planning and programming, public relations and liaison with civic, professional and governmental organizations. 

Fiscal 

• Responsible for monitoring and tracking monthly expenditures, cost allocation plan, analyzing variation from projections, non-federal share, and initiating corrective action as deemed 
• Meet with Finance Director monthly to assure budget and VPK oversight. 
• Responsible for managing, adjusting and adapting program operation budget expenditures and training/technical assistance budget to meet budgetary parameters as deemed 
• Reports monthly fiscal status to Executive Vice President and Policy Council. 
• Monitors the program’s administrative cost, assuring it does not exceed the allowed amount. 
• Monitors and tracks the program’s non-federal share activities/funds to assure that the amount required is achieved for each month and grant cycle.  In addition, meeting with staff, parents, community, and policy council to develop strategies for collecting and increasing the amount of non-federal share. 
• Responsible for seeking and obtaining additional external funding (g. grants, state and local funding, private funding) to help with program enhancement, subsidizing services, program innovation, and meeting non-federal share requirement. 
• Communicate budget information to program staff and engage them in cost savings and eliminating 

Personnel Administration 

• Supervises the work of Directors, managers and other staff by scheduling, assigning and reviewing work, providing training and counseling and evaluating performance to ensure work activities are properly carried out. 
• Managing the hiring and termination of employees, complying with applicable laws, regulations, agency personnel policies and procedures, as well as acquiring approval from the policy council in accordance with personnel addendum and shared decision making policies and procedures.   
• Provides technical assistance for staff to assure the health, safety and positive growth development of the children, their families and the staff. 
• Responsible for the management and implementation of the programs training and technical assistance plan to ensure professional development and training benchmarks are achieved. 

Community Partnerships 

• Responsible for developing and establishing new community partnerships that support and enhance the program’s continuous quality improvement, innovation, and non-federal share activities. 
• Works with other organizations in the community to foster collaboration and promote Head Start initiatives. 
• Responsible for building collaborative relationships that support family well-being and creates a link to  health, mental health, dental, disability, social services, school partnerships, community stakeholders, universities, civic organizations, and government entities.  
• Responsible for agency representation on community committees, boards, and other community groups. 

Other Functions: 

Note: The duties above are illustrative and not exhaustive.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.  Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform some or all of the activities described above. 

Physical Requirements: 

Visual and auditory acuity within professionally determined normal ranges, with correction if needed.  In addition to having manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer and other office equipment, including, but not limited to, the telephone, fax machine, copier and tape recorder.  Must be able to travel, enter and exit a vehicle without assistance and have regular access to reliable transportation.  Reasonable accommodation may be made for otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. 

Education: 

Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Business, Human Services Management, Public Administration, Social Work, Psychology, or related field.   

Experience:   

Ten plus years of Human Service, Non-Profit, Education or Head Start experience at the Executive or Administrative level, and managing a budget of at least $15 million.  In addition, experience in human services program management, including program planning, operations and evaluation, supervision of staff, fiscal management, administration and the use of management information systems.  This position requires leadership ability, good interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work as part of a team. 

Bilingual preferred: English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area. 

Also required:  Successful completion of a Level II background screening, local criminal record check and drug screening prior to hiring.   

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA): 

• Knowledge of program, financial, and human resources management. 
• Knowledge at establishing and creating access to community resources. 
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for early childhood.  
• Knowledge of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards relating to educating children. 
• Knowledge of Early Childhood Program accreditation requirements.   
• Strong leadership and management skills. 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to work within a team environment. 
• Understanding and alignment with the Head Start philosophy and the he ability to implement its principle of shared authority and decision making. 
• Experience with working in partnership with families and community populations. 
• Writing skills in the areas of grants, budgets, reporting, etc. 
• Demonstrate skills in time management and organization. 
• Skills at making formal presentations to community groups.  
• Ability to work effectively with minimal daily guidance. 
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including some evenings and/or weekends.  
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. 
• Ability to present a positive image of the organization to members of the community. 
• Ability to handle conflicts resolution with parents, subordinate, and community.   
• Ability to plan, organize and conduct early childhood education programs.   
• Ability to oversee the work of subordinate staff.   
• Ability to handle confidential information. 

Other: 

Must demonstrate sensitivity to our service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs. 

Principal Accountabilities: 

• Reports to Executive Vice President, Children and Head Start Services.  
• Team player with co-workers and central service office staff.  
• Accurate, complete and timely submission of required financial reports, forecasts, proposals, budgets and analyses.   
• Cost effective program operations. 
• Adherence to agency policies and management practices.  
• Effective staff management and leadership. 

Why work for LSF?

LSF offers 60 programs across the state of Florida serving a wide range of populations in need. Mission Driven staff members become part of the LSF community while transforming the lives of those in need. Our staff additionally find growth opportunities as they explore areas of interest within the organization.  

Amazing benefits package including: 

Medical, Dental and Vision
Teladoc (24/7 online access to doctors)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Employer paid life insurance (1X salary)
13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday
Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year)
403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match OR 3% student loan repayment reimbursement
Tuition reimbursement

Lutheran Services Florida embraces diversity, equity and inclusion in all business practices. LSF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.