Assistant Center Director

Location:

Olive Center - Vista, CA

Salary - $62,400 - $65,000

52 Weeks

Since 1965, MAAC has been maximizing self-sufficiency with families and individuals through high-quality programs and advocacy in our communities. MAAC employs dedicated staff who provide life-changing services to thousands of individuals annually through programs in five core focus areas: Education, Economic Development, Health & Wellbeing, Housing, and Advocacy & Leadership Development. Through a wide variety of programs, MAAC has grown to become one of the largest nonprofit social service organizations in the community. Learn more about the great things happening with MAAC at http://www.maacproject.org/

Under direct supervision, Assistant Center Directors assist in planning, implementing and providing day-to-day supervision of the educational programs and operations of an assigned Head Start/Early Head Start center, typically with two or more classrooms/program options. Responsibilities include providing children with a safe, nurturing, engaging and secure learning environment that gives them the awareness, skills and confidence to succeed in their present environment and in later school life; ensuring delivery of Head Start and community support services to families; for compliance with all applicable policies, procedures, service area plans and state licensing requirements, including those applicable to health, safety and fire regulations; accountable for the timely completion, reporting and the preparation and maintenance of up-to-date childrens files. Duties and responsibilities are carried out with considerable independence within the framework of established policies, procedures and guidelines.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Examples of the essential and core duties of this position included in this announcement are not necessarily a full description of this position. Management is not precluded from assigning other related functions not listed herein, if such assignments are reasonably related to the overall duties of this position.

• Assists the Center Director with: organizing, and overseeing the programs, program personnel and activities of an assigned center; works with assigned teaching and family service staff and develops, implements and monitors service area and center work plans to achieve assigned goals, objectives and educational outcomes; contributes to development of and monitoring of performance against the available resources; participates in developing, implementing and evaluating work programs, plans, processes, systems and procedures to achieve MAAC and Head Start goals, objectives and performance measures consistent with division quality and service expectations.
• Assists the Center Director with: monitoring staff performance and providing coaching for performance improvement and development; subject to management concurrence, to address performance deficiencies, in accordance with MAACs Human Resources policies and procedures, applicable Head Start regulations and labor contract provisions.

• Provides day-to-day leadership to ensure a high performance, child- and family-centered environment which supports achieving Head Start educational objectives and family service expectations; provides leadership and participates in programs and activities that promote effective parent involvement and a positive employee relations environment.
• Assists the Center Director with: overseeing the day-to-day operations of assigned program options; ensures centers are properly staffed in conformance with licensing requirements and adjusts staffing as required; responds to telephone calls and parent visits regarding a wide variety of child and family issues; communicates center activities and program master calendar to staff and parents; ensures cooperative working relationships between staff, parents, volunteers, community partners, specialists and consultants; resolves food service and transportation issues and special needs with applicable managers; coordinates the delivery of meal services, including receiving food, required paperwork, meal production records, food order, inventory, assigning duties to Program/Kitchen Aides..
• Assists the Center Director with: inspecting and monitoring center operations to ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, state licensing requirements and health, safety and fire regulations; adjusts staffing to ensure conformance to applicable licensing requirements; performs mandated inspections of classroom and playground facilities and takes necessary corrective action to ensure that housekeeping/cleanliness standards and permit/license requirements are met.
• Assist the Center Director with: overseeing and participating in implementation of daily lesson plans and activities, ensuring they are age appropriate, individualized and culturally sensitive; observes teachers in the classroom and provides feedback; mentors and coaches staff in planning appropriate curriculum and activities; provides technical and problem solving assistance to teachers and other staff; trains staff on curriculum changes and DRDP procedures; monitors to ensure timely completion of child observations and assessments; ensures Individual Education Plans are being implemented.
• Promotes parent involvement in center activities; and assists with; planning and conducting parent education/training meetings; oversees the activities of assigned parent trainees.
• Assists the Center Director to ensure the maintenance of up-to-date, accurate center and childrens files; reviews daily and monthly teacher reports; compiles and submits end-of-the-month reporting for each assigned program option, classroom status, meal count, volunteer time, in-kind donation, transportation, field trip and other reports required by funding agencies.
• Fills in for other center staff as required; substitutes in the classroom; portions and prepares childrens meals; serves as bus aide when required; participates with other staff on field trips.
• Attends staff and program planning meetings; participates in mandatory training sessions.
• Builds community relationships; participates in recruitment and enrollment activities as required
• Maintains an inventory and orders materials and supplies for center operation
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and methods of instruction, care and supervision of infants, toddlers and pre-school children.
• Concepts of child development and child behavior patterns of infants, toddlers and pre-school children.
• Home based services and program option requirements.
• Parents as Teachers curriculum.
• Social Services resources and family crisis intervention techniques.
• Policies and procedures, Head Start Performance Standards and relevant federal, state and local regulations applicable to the operations of a Head Start/EHS center.
• Health and safety regulations and requirements for maintaining Head Start/EHS centers and grounds in a safe, clean and orderly condition.
• Federal, state and local laws, regulations and court decisions applicable to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Administrative procedures and forms applicable to the operations of a Head Start/EHS center.
• Principles and practices of sound business communication; correct English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Computer hardware, standard business software and database management software such as ChildPlus.
• Principles and practices of effective supervision.
• Human resources policies and procedures, applicable Head Start regulations and the application of labor contract provisions.

Ability to:

• Ensure Head Start, Early Head Start Performance Standards, State Preschool and any other programmatic regulations are met and compliance with all applicable regulations is maintained at all times.
• Develop and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum, lesson plans and instructional strategies to meet the needs of infants, toddlers and preschool-aged children.
• Create and maintain a safe learning environment.
• Observe and document child development, behavior and health.
• Plan, organize, and develop work schedules.
• Operate a computer using standard business software.
• Prepare clear, concise and comprehensive documentation, reports and other written materials.
• Organize, set priorities and exercise sound independent judgment within areas of responsibility.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.
• Maintain sensitive and confidential information.
• Exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive and complex issues and situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with center staff, parents, children, other division managers, the community and others encountered in the course of work.

• Associates degree in child development or early child development, or closely related field required, Bachelors degree preferred; which includes 24 semester units in child development, including twelve (12) CORE semester units [Child Development, Child, Family and Community and six (6) units in curriculum], 3 units in Infant/Toddler coursework, 3 units in administration or staff relations.
• A minimum of four years of progressively responsible teaching experience in a Head Start or child development program, at least one of which was in a lead or supervisory capacity; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• A current California Child Development Permit at the Master Teacher or Site Supervisor level is required.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) speaking, reading and writing preferred
• Valid CPR, First Aid, and Food Handlers Certifications must be obtained within first two months (2) of employment and maintained throughout employment (paid, designated training available through MAAC). In the event employees do not attend the scheduled training, they must obtain the cards through outside resources and costs will not be reimbursed. The certifications must be obtained and maintained within prescribed timelines.

VALUE-BASED BEHAVIORS

Listens attentively to others. Asks clarifying questions to gain a better understanding of the other persons views and underlying assumptions
Works effectively in a team environment and actively participates in joint problem solving; willingly cooperates with co-workers
Identifies and takes advantage of opportunities for personal and professional development
Attends work consistently and punctually. Arrives to meetings prepared and on time; honors work commitments; follows through on what was agreed upon; meets deadlines
Honors the private and confidential matters of co-workers. Protects the proprietary information of MAAC systems
Follows rules, regulations, and policies; positively contributes to implementing changes
Deals with issues directly, in a respectful and timely manner. Focuses on resolving the issue while not criticizing the person. Follows rules, regulations, and policies; positively contributes to implementing changes

HEALTH STATUS

Must have a physical examination, TB clearance and a drug screen by a doctor/clinic designated by MAAC as well as immunization records for influenza*, pertussis and measles as required by state and federal regulations prior to the first day of employment.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this class, an employee is regularly required to stand, walk and sit, talk or hear both in person and by telephone, uses hands to finger, handle or feel objects or controls, reach with hands and arms. An employee also is regularly required to stoop, kneel, bend, crouch or crawl, climb or balance and lift up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret information; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret people and situations; use basic math; learn and apply new information or skills; work under intensive deadlines and interact with MAAC management, administrators, staff, teachers, parents, family members, children and others encountered in the course of work.

BACKGROUND CLEARANCE

All positions are subject to a background/education check, DMV check, NSOR, exclusion and debarment checks prior to hire and periodically throughout employment as required by various funding sources.

Note: California Start law requires background criminal checks on anyone who works in a licensed childcare facility who is not a client. Must have or obtain a current criminal background check clearance, signed criminal record statement, and signed Acknowledgement to Report Child Abuse form prior to the first day of employment.

TRANSPORTATION

Must have and maintain a valid California Drivers License, daily use of a personal, insured vehicle, and have and maintain a motor vehicle driving record acceptable to MAACs insurance carrier. Incumbents will be enrolled in the California DMV Pull Program.