Summary of Duties:
The Area Manager -Early Head Start is responsible for leading a designated service area. Position provides direct supervision, modeling and training support to assigned staff, as well as facilities management. The Area Manager -Early Head Start is responsible for full implementation of the Early Head Start program in compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards and State and Federal mandates.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Program Leadership:
- Follow and implement all agency policies and procedures as well as federal mandates related to the Head Start Program Performance standards.
- Responsible for ensuring safe operation of program sites and facilities.
- Model and teach skills to develop lesson plans, conduct effective home visits and parent-child group socialization that adhere to program philosophy and engages families in the activities
- Participate as a member of local service and leadership teams within Head Start/Early Head Start and other NEMCSA divisions.
- Recruit and select area staff and provide new hire training and mentoring.
- Coordinate recruitment activities. Provide direct support and oversight of the application process, monitoring referrals, and maintenance and development of current waitlists.
- Assign families to each Home Visitor to maintain full enrollment and balanced caseloads.
- Serve as a substitute to provide home visits and/or facilitate parent-child group socialization (as needed) for families in the event of an extended absence or resignation/termination of a Home Visitor.
- Oversee health services systems and documentation of children’s health status to include: physical, mental, dental health.
- Coordinate infant toddler disability services, in assigned area, to meet performance standards as related to Part C.
- Maintain compliance and updated Memorandum of Understandings and agreements applicable to programmatic need.
- Plan for and facilitate monthly local team meetings, to include relevant training topics, while building effective area teams and positive work environment.
- Submit records and reports in a timely and accurate manner.
- Utilize technology skills and use software programs, as requested, for monitoring child and family data and/or outcomes.
- Provide oversight to local program budgets including ordering supplies, staff training and parent activity expenditures.
- Communicate regularly with the Early Head Start Assistant Director.
- Monitor and encourage non-federal share collection.
- Conduct activities and support in a professional manner, to include maintaining confidentiality and adhering to the Head Start-Early Head Start Code of Ethics.
Staff Development:
- Provide direct supervision to Home Visitors, and Family Service Assistants to ensure consistency in services provided to pregnant women, children, and their families throughout the Early Head Start service area.
- Provide monthly reflective supervision to Home Visitors and Family Services Assistant.
- Monitor staff performance regularly. Write and present performance reviews for assigned staff as required.
- Identify training needs of staff members and assist in locating and/or providing training activities.
- Conduct home visit and parent-child socialization observations according to prescribed schedule and provide timely feedback to staff.
Service Delivery:
- Ensure agency adopted curriculum is implemented to fidelity.
- Promote Practice-Based Coaching as a positive tool for fostering Home Visitor’s skill in engaging families.
- Review home visit lesson plans to ensue all components of the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework are included in intentional planning for each visit.
- Ensure a description of each child’s progress (observations) are entered by Home Visitor for each dimension for each checkpoint season for web-based assessment tool.
- Work collaboratively with Part C early intervention agencies to ensure effective service delivery and coordination of services to eligible children.
Family Development:
- Support Home Visitors to assist families in creating family goals to promote school readiness.
- Provide access and opportunities for parent involvement through planning and facilitating regular parent committee meetings and regional meeting.
- Utilizing agency adopted parent curriculum, offer parent education during regularly scheduled committee meetings.
Community Development:
- Promote Early Head Start to the public and recruit families through a variety of community and media activities.
- Provide for interagency coordination through collaboration with health, mental health, early intervention and special education systems.
- Serve as a member of community councils and committees.
- When requested, assist in the facilitation of the health services advisory council.
- A minimum of annually, present current program information to local Department of Health and Human Services Staff, local Health Department staff, and other agencies who may send referrals for families.
Professional Development:
- Complete professional development goal(s) as required. Continue to learn and develop expertise within the field of early childhood and family engagement.
Other duties as assigned
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
This position manages the Early Head Start staff, including the EHS Home Visitors and Family Services Assistants.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development, Education, Family Studies, Social Work, Developmental Psychology or related field is required. 5 years’ experience with supporting collaborative partnerships and service coordination, supervision, and adult education is preferred.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
Employees in this position must possess reliable transportation, a valid driver license. A Family Service Worker, CDA, Parents as Teachers Educator or PITC credential is preferred and may be required once hired.
Language Skills:
Ability to read, analyze and interpret (reports, regulations, periodicals). Write (reports, business correspondence and manuals). Present information and respond to questions.
Mathematical Skills:
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
Reasoning Ability:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
