Administrator of Head Start

Department: Administration

Pay Grade: Administration

FLSA Status: Exempt

JOB GOALS

Manages Lee County Public Schools (LCPS) Head Start programs and services; supports the division’s mission, goals, regulations, policies; and performs related duties as required or assigned. Maintain budgets and programs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Responsible for preschool services provided by Head Start and home base programs
2. Responsible for overall operation of the Head Start programs of Lee County Public Schools
3. Responsible for ensuring the program complies with all federal, state, and local policies and regulation in all program operations
4. Plans work in conjunction with other staff and is flexible in adjusting plans to meet changes and emergencies
5. Maintains regular communication with division superintendent and Head Start Policy Council 
6. Assists in the revision of the community assessment for the purpose of gathering data that will be used to develop program plans and options
7. Develops an organizational structure that will facilitate early childhood practices and maintain quality program operations for personnel and fiscal management
8. Assists in preparation of program component plans with staff, parents, council, and grantee that reflect the needs of the families in Lee County
9. Anticipates expenditures and plans the program finances in a manner that will most effectively utilize the funds and resources available for the program
10. Serves as an advocate for early childhood programs and family programs by participating in community events and committees that are involved in family and child development
11. Maintains confidentiality of all records and information regarding staff and families enrolled in the program
12. Involves the parents, policy council, staff, and grantee in the planning, implementation, and assessment of program operations
13. Supervises the management team of the program by guiding and directing their performance of program duties
14. Prepares grant applications which include regular Head Start continuation: supplemental Head Start applications and other grants or proposals submitted by the school board
15. Develops, implements, and supervises maintenance plans for all centers, facilities and playgrounds used by the children
16. Assists the Parent Policy Council in developing plans for parent involvement in the program and shared governance
17. Attends meetings of the Lee County School Board and Lee County Head Start Parent Policy Council to seek approval on plans, budget/grant applications and appropriations
18. Participates in the Head Start annual self-assessment conducted by the Parent Policy Council and Grantee
19. Organizes program operations to include training for parents, volunteers, staff, council, and board
20. Works with school principals and other community leaders to develop quality early childhood programs and parent involvement programs
21. Disseminates information about early childhood programs to parents, families, and community for recruitment
22. Establishes and maintains a close positive relationship between Head Start and other community groups and agencies in the county
23. Encourages parents and volunteers to participate in program operations, training sessions, and events in the county
24. Meets  with representatives of the parents, council, community, grantee, and staff to develop program plans and procedures for the efficient operation of the programs
25. Develops and implements a written procedure for developing, reviewing, and revising budgets and work plans
26. Develops and implements a written procedure which describes the ongoing monitoring process that ensures specific program objectives and activities are completed
27. Establishes and maintains an internal communication system within the program
28. Revises personnel policies and procedures, component plans, handbooks, and procedural manuals with management team, community, parents, council, and grantee
29. Ensures  that a filing and tracking system is in place and operational for children and staff records and files
30. Provides staffing patterns and organizational structure that will meet present and future program needs and objectives
31. Ensures for the safety and health of children in the program in all program operations, planning, and developments
32. Provides a nutritionally sound program that promotes good nutrition while utilizing the most efficient economic resources available for the program
33. Implements a transition program in the county that will ease the transition for families and children into regular public schools
34. Ensures service delivery to Head Start families
35. Collaborates with community agencies to enhance Head Start Program operations
36. Assists in the receiving of all incoming telephone calls and effectively responds to situations and needs
37. Participates in training and professional development activities planned or provided by the program
38. Participates in conducting self-assessment or evaluation of professional development with division superintendent 
39. Maintains an annual log of training/and/or professional development opportunities to be placed in personnel file each program year end

QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s Degree in Education: Administration and Supervision;  Minimum of three years supervisory experience in early childhood program, school system or related organization, fiscal management, and administration.  Criminal Record Check clearance. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This job may require lifting of objects that exceed 25 lbs., with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 lbs. Other physical demands that may be required include stooping and/or kneeling, reaching, talking, hearing, and seeing.

TEMPERAMENT

• Adaptability to performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature without loss of efficiency or composure.
• Adaptability to accepting responsibility for the direction, control, or planning of an activity.
• Adaptability to dealing with people beyond giving and receiving instruction.
• Adaptability to making generalizations, evaluations, or decisions based on sensory or judgmental criteria.

CAPACITY AND ABILITY REQUIREMENTS

Specific capacities and abilities may be required of an individual in order to learn or perform adequately a task or job duty.

• Intelligence: Ability to “catch on” and understand instructions and underlying principles. Ability to reason and make judgements.
• Verbal: Ability to understand meanings of words and ideas associated with them.
• Numerical: Ability to perform arithmetic operations quickly and accurately.
• Data Perception: Ability to understand and interpret information which may be presented in the form of graphs, charts, or tables.

WORK CONDITIONS

Normal working environment.

Lee County Public Schools has the right to revise this job description at any time.