Early Education/Disabilities Manager

OVERVIEW: The Early Education/Disabilities Manager is responsible for the design and implementation of the Early Childhood Development Program Service area for Head Start, as part of the Instructional Services unit, and in compliance with the Head Start Performance Standards. The Early Education/Disabilities Manager monitors the implementation of early childhood development services, according to the Early Childhood Development policies and procedures and also supervises the teaching staff for Head Start and Early Head Start. The Early Education/Disabilities Manger tracks, monitors, and coordinates services of children needing special services. The job requires, but is not limited to, contacting parents during the entire referral process, coordinating with agencies for any services a child might need, working closely and keeping in continual communication with School Districts, and monitoring that the child is receiving an individualized curriculum with the IEP/IFSP goals embedded in the education of each child needing services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF JOB:

• Supervisory:

1. Conducts technical assistance in the early childhood education and development program service areas for education staff at the center. This includes observing, assisting, and supervising the teaching staff in curriculum implementation, lesson plan development, room arrangement, classroom management, home visit and parent conference techniques and strategies, parent communication, effective teacher roles, safety and sanitation, family style dining, and the various other early childhood development topics in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards.

2. Assists with coordination and completion of developmental screenings with teaching staff and other special services providers and Mental Health Consultants.

3. Monitors staff attendance and function. Reviews all leave requests and coordinates substitutes as needed.

4. Monitors and processes timecards to meet pay period timelines.

• Training:

1. Designs and deliver training to staff and parents; topics will include both specialized and trans-disciplinary subject matter and promote collaborative teaming, integration, and inclusive practices.

2. Collaborates with community organizations to collect and disseminate additional information, and to arrange ancillary training and services.

3. Attends service providers and community partner meetings as schedule allows.

4. Works with Director to renew Memorandum of Understanding with agency partners, 3 years from original date that an MOU was signed.

5. Coordinates and conducts training in early childhood education and development in conjunction with other component Managers (Family Community Partnership & Health Manager).

6. Constructs the Instructional Services Unit’s development of overarching goals, objectives, action plans, and procedures for early childhood education and development, and for disabilities, program-wide.

7. Interprets, creates, annually reviews, and updates Early Childhood Development Program area policies and procedures, and provides technical assistance to staff and community resources.

8. Helps insure that communication is ongoing and transparent between management and staff.

• Compliance and Review:

1. Participates in the coordination of the annual Program Self-Assessment and the follow-up reporting.

2. Completes the Education and Disabilities component of the Program Information Report (PIR) annually.

3. In cooperation with the Head Start Director, oversees completion of program improvement plans, based on monitoring results.

4. Assures children in need of special education services are referred, evaluated, and able to access services in a timely manner in compliance with State and Federal law; monitor disability services and timelines.

5. Analyzes data to be used to monitor outcomes for component area improvement.

6. Completes monthly reports that identify progress in achieving unit and program goals.

7. Collects and analyzes data, as requested.

8. Continues professional growth by participating in training programs and workshops/conferences as the budget allows.

• Organizational Planning/Community Collaboration:

1. Participates in annual grant planning process. Advocates to ensure supply and family service funds be allocated for the Education and Disabilities component, with approval of the director, for materials, equipment, books, etc. that would enhance the services for families.

2. Is responsible for education/disabilities budget and goals. Policies and Procedures are kept current.

3. Attends interagency, organizational, and committee meetings as appropriate.

4. Participates in Management meetings and in Head Start program staff meetings.

5. Performs other duties as assigned and reasonably within the scope of the above-enumerated duties.

6. Provides appropriate child development, early childhood education, and disabilities information and referrals for staff, parents and collaborating agencies.

7. Collaborates with school districts in developing transition plans, facilitating transportation services, recruitment and enrollment, special services evaluation process, monitoring of services, and other duties as needed.

8. Provides collaborating agencies with regular reports concerning screening, assessments, referrals, ESL, and children with an IFSP as needed.

• Internal Consulting

1. Responds to identified needs and goals within the organization and intervenes on behalf of families and staff; provides expertise and support in developing high quality childhood environments, materials and practices.

2. Develops and distributes materials within specific areas, and provide information referral, and coordinating efforts to link staff and families with appropriate community resources.

3. Attends meetings, staffing, trainings and professional development activities as appropriate.

4. Promotes collaboration among components.

• Communication

1. Regular written memos, correspondence, reports and newsletters to provide documentation, education and information.

2. Conducts formal presentations for parents, staff, Business Committee, and Policy Council to provide education and information.

3. Formally and informally, meets with staff, management, and Director to share pertinent information.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED BY POSITION:

• Ability to assist in supervising pre-school children, including being able to step in as Lead Teacher, and ensures a safe learning environment incorporating the ability to monitor and respond to events going on at all times in classroom, outdoor play areas, and on field trips. This includes the physical ability to move quickly in order to respond to children who are very active and may need restraint or redirection in order to insure their safety or the safety of others in the environment.
• Ability to supervise, guide and facilitate learning techniques for the Head Start Child Development Staff.
• Ability to respond appropriately (both mentally and physically) to an emergency or a crisis.
• Knowledge of early childhood education or development
• Ability to be a sensitive and mature individual who is able to relate well to both children and adults.
• Ability to provide leadership and stability for program continually.
• Working knowledge of local community resources.
• Ability to translate theory and professional training into practical solutions.
• Ability to provide for a trans-disciplinary approach to presenting information and conducting interventions.
• Flexibility of schedule to accommodate occasional evening or weekend meetings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• BA degree in Early Childhood Education or a baccalaureate or advanced degree and equivalent coursework in Early Childhood Education and two (2) years teaching and administrative experience in an early childhood setting required. Excellent written and verbal communication; organizational, interpersonal and problem solving skills required.
• Must have two (2) years of experience working in a supervisory position.
• Knowledge and experience working with disabilities services within Washington State Schools
• Experience with low income and culturally diverse families.
• Demonstrated teaching and training skills.
• Knowledge of Head Start program
• Valid Washington State Driver’s license, must be insurable
• A physical exam with results in letter form that states person is free of communicable diseases (Negative TB test) by employment date
• Excellent communication skills: both verbal and written is necessary.
• No prior convictions of child-related offenses or any felonies.
• Background check to be conducted prior to employment date
• Must be able to comply with the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Head Start Drug Free Workplace policies.
• Must be able to comply with the National Educators of Young Children Code of Ethics, promoting a professional and confidential working environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to lift and carry a child 20+ pounds
• Other Functional requirements:

(1) Moderate lifting, 15-40 pounds, moderate carrying over 10 pounds and light carrying under 10 pounds, and occasional lifting up to 50 pounds

(2) Daily kneeling, stooping, bending and sitting on the floor to attend to children’s needs (will include walking 4 hours; standing 4 hours; crawling 1 hour; kneeling 2 hours; stooping and bending 2 hours as needed in job duties).

(3) Must also be able to work at a desk 8 hours per day.

(4) The work is performed both in an office environment, which involves hearing voice conversations, keyboarding, sitting, standing and walking, and in a classroom environment which involves high levels of noise and regular interaction with staff, children, and families.

OTHER DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Substantial problem solving to devise solutions which address organizational deficits or potential deficits in a changing regulatory environment.
• Must communicate with the Head Start Director the day-to-day operations, must share information on daily activities.
• Reports to work at scheduled times and maintains good attendance.
• Performs all duties assigned in a timely and professional manner.
• Must be free of communicable diseases and have a doctor’s note stating such within 30 days of employment.
• Must have a clear TB test within 30 days of employment.
• Must have or be willing to get CPR First Aide within 30 days of employment.
• Must have or be willing to get Food Handler’s Card within 30 days of employment.
• Must be able to pass a Criminal Background Check prior to employment.
• Must comply with the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe’s Drug free workplace policy.
• Pre-Employment drug testing to be administered prior to employment

As with all positions of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe this position is Indian Preference in hiring, in Accordance with P.L. 93-638