Education Manager

Position Title: Education Manager

Position Status: Regular Full Time Non-Exempt

Reports to:Assistant Director

Position Purpose:

To oversee all aspects of the Educational Service Area of the Head Start Program; To ensure all State and Federal regulations, requirements, and standards are met; To provide leadership, coaching, modeling, and support to the Educational Staff.

  • Must be 18 years of age
  • Current State Driver License
  • DOJ, FBI, and Child Index background check
  • Current Car Insurance
  • Five Years of managing and teaching experience
  • Program Director’s Permit
  • Master’s or higher (does have to be in ECE/CD or a related field) including 24 ECE/CD units with core courses** plus six administration units plus two adult supervision units
  •  *Three-semester units of Infant and Toddler Care & Development are required for the Infant and Toddler Program.

Specific Responsibilities:

  • Work under the direct supervision of the Assistant Director. Work indirectly under the supervision of the Executive Director. Work closely with other service area staff to enhance positive inter-component relationships.
  • Supervise and provide support to teaching staff in developing and maintaining an enriched and well-balanced program by Head Start Performance Standards.
  • Assist teaching staff in implementing children’s IEP’s and integration with other staff. Conduct meetings with the Education Staff regularly to discuss issues, make plans, evaluate progress, problem solve, etc. as needed to affect a positive atmosphere and productive program.
  • Responsible for liaison between the Delegate Agency and Grantee as it relates to the Education Component in cooperation with other components where applicable.
  • Attend case conferences and assist in the preparation of materials for the certification purposes and follow-ups as needed in cooperation with other component staff. Attend workshops, conferences, and other meetings as required.
  • Report child abuse/neglect by current state requirements.
  • Complete required reports. Ensure the maintenance of teaching staff files, i.e., physicals, PPD, Continuing Education, etc. Ensure Maintenance of appropriate records about federal, state, and local requirements such as:
  • Diagnostic Files
  • Home Visits by Education Staff
  • Training events and evaluation of same
  • Teacher certification/children’s assessments/IEP
  • Copies of daily lesson plans
  • Inventory of educational materials (equipment/supplies for classrooms and staff development)
  • Monitoring results of education Service Areas
  • Ensure training of staff/parents/community volunteers regarding various requirements in the Education Program and accordance with staff’s identified needs and cooperation with
  • Other service areas. Conduct monthly Education Committee Meetings with the parents. Meet with the parents on any concerns they may have about their child and teacher. Be a resource for the parents.
  • Monitor classrooms to ensure that they meet Performance Standards and Community Care Licensing guidelines. Prepare Community Care Licensing applications and update forms as needed. Assist with the preparation and development of documentation for the grant application and program performance standards.
  • Make regular visits to classrooms to observe, assess needs, and assist teaching staff in facilitating the daily program as needed. Order classroom equipment and supplies. Review lesson plans periodically to assure appropriateness of activities to the children’s identified needs, age, development level and integration of health, nutrition, mental health, and diversity.
  • Assist with the Food Bag Program and other special programs. Assist in planning and implementing school activities, such as Harvest Fest, Spring break, United Nations Day, Children’s Carnival, Parent Award Luncheon, Annual Picnic, etc. along with other staff. Set up for Picture Day by contacting photographer, setting dates, times, and ensuring that all sites are ready for the day.
  • Assist in conducting the Self-Assessments.
  • Observe classrooms to see if all safety precautions for the children are being followed. Follow-up on work orders to ensure items are repaired. Monitor teacher’s documentation of classroom checklist of safety items for indoor/outdoor premises. Ensure that classrooms have the appropriate emergency documents posted. Ensure that fire extinguisher and smoke detectors are in working condition. Monitor education reports on fire/earthquake drills.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Measurement of Success

  • All meetings have been attended, training has been conducted, and files are organized and up to date.
  • Performance Standards and Community Care Licensing guidelines have been met, and licenses are up to date.2
  • Special school programs and activities have been planned, executed, and successfully communicated to staff and students.
  • All safety precautions, standards, and regulations have been met.
  • Lesson plans and classroom activities are complete, age-appropriate, and meet the developmental needs of each class.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

  • Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Child Development/Early Childhood Education or related field; and
  • Three years of preschool teaching experience; and
  • One-year experience supervising adults at multiple sites; or
  • Possession of a Child Development Program Director Permit; and
  • Two years of preschool teaching experience, including experience supervising staff/volunteers.

Necessary Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Ability to juggle multiple tasks and adjust to changing schedules and priorities.
  • Proficient in computer and internet-related applications such as email, web browsers, and MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Typing proficiency.
  • Excellent English communication (oral and written), interpersonal, and presentation skills.
  • Effectively work as a team member.
  • Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and able to effectively execute duties with minimum direction to meet deadlines.
  • Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards, local federal and state laws/regulations regarding children with disabling conditions/special needs.
  • Knowledge of preschool education, curriculum, planning, and implementation of a preschool program (includes setting up an appropriate environment and selection of equipment and materials). Thoroughly familiar with the development needs of preschool children (all areas of growth and development).
  • Knowledge of the principles of management. Skills in training, management, and supervision of adults (staff, parents, and volunteers)
  • Knowledge, appreciation, and understanding of different cultures, values, and family/community lifestyles.
  • Knowledge of behavior management techniques that are appropriate for preschool, and that will help guide young children toward self-control.
  • Able to work with parents and incorporate their skills and ideas into the program planning to address the individual needs of each child.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality as required.

Other Requirements:

  • Must possess and maintain a valid CA Driver’s License, as well as current automobile registration and insurance. Must have a vehicle in good working condition.
  • Must be eligible to be employed in the United States.
  • Continuing Education required.
  • Continuing Education required by Head Start and current State regulations.
  • Successful completion of an initial physical exam and follow-up exams every two years.
  • Current First Aid and CPR Certification.
  • Fingerprint clearance, tuberculosis clearance, and child abuse clearance must be on file and submitted according to policy.
  • Bilingual where applicable.

Reasoning Ability

 

  • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables.
  • Ability to read and interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, map, or schedule format.
  • Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, or governmental regulation — ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
  • Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, teachers, parents, and the general public.
  • Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, and rates.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • The noise level in the work environment is moderate.
  • Work environment involves minimal exposure to physical risks, such as operating dangerous equipment or working with chemicals.
  • Work involves minimal exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and loud noises.
  • Chemicals are known to the State of California to cause cancer, or congenital disabilities or other reproductive harm may be present in the work environment.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of the job, the employee is required to:

  • Regularly talk or hear up to 8 hours a day;
  • Regularly sit, write, type, and use a mouse up to 8 hours a day;
  • Regularly sit and stand from a chair up to 20 times a day;
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
  • Occasionally stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms;
  • Regularly bend, stoop and squat;
  • Occasionally drive in dry and wet weather, usually during daylight hours, but occasionally in the evening hours;
  • Regularly get in and out of the car up to 8 times per day;
  • Occasionally climb stairs and take the elevator; and
  • Occasionally lift and move up to twenty-five (25) pounds.