Head Start

The Moran Company is pleased to partner with Maryland Rural Development Corporation (MRDC) to recruit the organization’s next Head Start/Early Head Start Director.

Background

Maryland Rural Development Corporation (MRDC) was founded in 1979 as the Community Action Agency (CAA) for the Upper Eastern Shore of Maryland. In 1986, MRDC began its 40-year partnership with Head Start and added Early Head Start in recent years. MRDC operates seven Head Start centers and four Early Head Start Centers in Caroline, Harford, and Cecil Counties on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Today, MRDC has a budget of over $12 million and a staff of one hundred and fifty. Approximately one hundred of those staff and $7 million serve Head Start and Early Head Start. The Head Start/Early Head Start Director supervises ten Site Supervisors, a Nutrition Coordinator, a Health Coordinator, a team of Education Coordinators, a Family and Community Engagement Coordinator, Mental Health and Disabilities Coordinator and Data System Coordinator.

The Head Start/Early Head Start Director has primary responsibility for providing organizational leadership as a member of the agency leadership team as well as to the Head Start/Early Head Start programs across the organization, assuring MRDC culture, philosophies and priorities are met. In this respect, the Head Start/Early Head Start Director will assure that the children, families, and staff of the Head Start/Early Head Start program will be well positioned to reach self-sufficiency in keeping with MRDC’s mission.

The Head Start/Early Head Start Director position is based in Elkton, MD. Local travel to seven Head Start and four Early Head Start programs is required. The Head Start/Early Head Start Director reports to the MRDC Deputy Director of Early Childhood. While there are pockets of wealth in the service area, the Head Start/Early Head Start locations are in low and middle-income settings with families struggling in and near poverty.

Major Responsibilities

Community Partnerships:

• Provide leadership to the policy council and provide monthly updates to governing board which recommends policies, priorities, projects, programs, and budgets that will provide maximum effective approaches to the needs and concerns of the community.
• Maintain liaison between Head Start and Early Head Start staff, community, and neighborhood institutions, organizations, ethnic groups, and public schools.
• Coordinate other community related services.

Planning:

• Coordinate the preparation of applications for Head Start/Early Head Start with input and approval from the governing board, policy council, and MRDC administration.
• Develop program objectives plans, and strategies in coordination with MRDC Strategic Plan.
• Assist in developing component objectives.

Personnel:

• Supervise Head Start and Early Head Start management and program staff including development of staffing structures and plans, staff evaluation, and training.
• Coordinate with Head Start Regional Training Office, State Training Office, and relevant community resources to provide training services.
• Recruit and retain quality staff in a post-pandemic environment.
• Find points of alignment for staff, parents, and governing bodies (Board of Directors, Policy Council).
• Build strong collaborative teams, actively engage with staff, and be part of a positive working environment.

Financial:

• Provide draft budgets for all programmatic applications for funding to the Executive Director and CFO.
• Review financial reports prepared by the CFO and provide input/feedback on the program’s fiscal activity.

Program Operations:

• Ensure implementation of all Head Start/Early Head Start Performance Standards.
• Develop and facilitate ongoing services that foster the care, growth, and development of children and strong families.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in early childhood education or related field from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of five years experience in Early Education/Head Start Program development, supervision, instruction, and/or administration.

Required Skills:

• Experience with building strong collaborative teams, actively engaging with staff, and being a part of a positive working environment.
• Experience in understanding and implementing performance standards and changes in State and Federal policy.
• Experience in successfully managing conflict and adversity and promoting a conflict-free work environment.
• Experience recruiting, retaining, and advocating for families and volunteers.
• Effective communication skills to include all levels of MRDC partners, government agents, staff, families, and most importantly, children.
• Experience with effective communication with funding sources.
• Experience developing, coordinating, and implementing relevant staff training.
• Proven ability in fostering positive parent/volunteer/community relations.
• Proven planning, leadership, supervisory, grant/system information skills.

Compensation

The projected compensation for this position is $100,000.

Compensation is supplemented by a strong benefits package including Medical, Health Savings Account, Dental, Vision, Life/ A D & D, Employee Assistance Program, 401K, and PTO.

Relocation expenses are negotiable.

Non-Discrimination

MRDC is an equal employment opportunity employer. MRDC makes employment decisions without regard to race, religious creed, color, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital status, physical or mental handicap or disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.

Application Process

The search for the MRDC Head Start/Early Head Start Director is being conducted by The Moran Company. To apply for this position, submit a cover letter and resume to Ann Graff at The Moran Company. Resume should include all professional experience, dates of employment (month and year), position/title, and organization names.

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