JOB SUMMARY: Responsible for ensuring all Education and Disabilities related tasks for the Head Start program, serving children 3 to 5 years of age, are carried out. Design and monitor systems to assure compliance with all education and disabilities related Head Start Performance Standards, Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and other applicable federal and state regulations. Provide child development, leadership, and training and technical assistance to staff and parents.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinates with all content areas, and in conjunction with other Leads and Coaches: writes, revises and implements education related policies, procedures and the related Education/Disabilities Lead Manual in order to ensure effective quality service delivery in which Head Start Performance Standards and all other relevant federal and state regulations are met.
• Obtain and maintain acute knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards specifically those pertaining to the Education and Disabilities content areas.
• Provides or arranges for requested or necessary Education and Disabilities related training and technical assistance to site staff and Head Start parents.
• Establishes a supportive relationship with site staff that results in increased skills and outcomes for children and families
• Advocates for responsive, timely, and effective quality services for children and their families.
• Takes a proactive, solution-oriented perspective to problem solve any challenges that may arise within the component team or at the site level.
• Reviews reports and appropriate data to ensure both team and site goals are being met or progress is moving in a positive direction.
• Under the direction of the Regional Manager, works as a member of the regional team to directly support site staff in the provision of high quality, family-friendly and community/culturally appropriate Head Start services to children and families.
• Establishes and maintains partnerships with applicable agencies such as school districts and early intervention programs. Establishes written agreements when applicable and meets progress and renewal deadlines.
• Assists staff with referrals to agencies, and monitors referrals to ensure children are assessed in a timely manner by appropriate providers.
• Submits required reports and information necessary for monthly, quarterly and annual reports, and other reports as requested in a timely manner.
• Actively participates in regular staff meetings, supervisory meetings and all required training.
• Continually seeks out ways to further their own professional development in ways that will increase the quality services they are able to provide to sites.
• Takes initiative to join workgroups and attend meetings with outside organizations that are working towards the same common goals.
• When faced with challenges, seeks out guidance from policies and procedures, performance standards, and other resources such as ECLKC and My Peers.
• Assists in preparing the budget and securing the resources and materials for all children and families to be successful.
• Supports and encourages cultural diversity and values the diversity of all peoples.
• Ensures that specified curriculum, observations, screenings and assessments, individual child plans and parent input are being used to Individualize for children.
• Ensures that classroom lesson plans, group social plans, and home visit plans reflect children’s developmental levels, culture, and uniqueness.
• Collaborates with site teaching staff to monitor children’s progress in the classroom, as well as makes decisions regarding referrals and services. Then tracks and monitors all potentially delayed developmental screenings, as well as referrals and services using the Child Plus data base.
• Works with Head Start teachers to develop education goals for children to improve child outcomes.
• Tracks screening completion and follow up for all children within 45 days of their entry into the program.
• Observes classrooms and provide feedback to teachers using the CLASS Observation Tool.
• Monitors and provides feedback to teaching staff on Teaching Strategies Gold Assessment.
• Advocates that children who are identified with a disability to ensure they receive high quality and adequate quantity of services as outlined in their individual plans.
• Assists in developing and implementing transition plans for children with disabilities who are entering or leaving Head Start programs or moving from one program to another.
• Provides or arranges for disability training and technical assistance for staff and parents. Ensures staff has basic knowledge necessary to support children with special needs and/or disabilities; responds to requests for training for specific children and disabilities/special needs.
• Collaborates in leading the Health Services Advisory Committee, soliciting advice and advocating for effective quality services for children and families.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

WORK ACTIVITIES:

• Develops and maintains constructive and cooperative working relationships with organizations, agencies and families which support the goals of the Child Development Division programs.
• Instructs, coaches, mentors, or otherwise helps others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Develops specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish work.
• Performs day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining files and processing information and paperwork and uses computers and computer systems effectively to enter data, create spreadsheets and to develop documents, program and training materials and power-point presentations.
• Communicates with supervisors, co-workers, site staff and people outside the organization in a professional manner, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Analyzes and evaluates information to choose the best solution and solve problems; and to develop, design or create new ideas, systems, or products.
• Uses relevant information and individual judgement to determine whether events or processes comply with currently program standards, laws or regulations.
• Keeps program staff up to date on any changes in the fields of early childhood education and disabilities.

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to listen, read and understand information and ideas presented, taking the time to understand the points being made and asking questions as appropriate.
• Ability to read, understand, and follow written procedures and policies related to job responsibilities.
• Ability to interpret and apply state and federal statutes’ and regulations, and agency policies and procedures.
• Ability to select and use training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation.
• Uses judgment and decision-making abilities to evaluate the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Ability to endure and balance work fluctuations, deadlines, and interruptions; must be able to work weekends, and long hours during occasional peak work periods.
• Ability to sleep on floor in communities where no other lodging is available.
• Observes, receives, and otherwise obtains information from all relevant sources and translates or explains what that information means and how it can be used.
• Ability to establish good rapport with people of diverse cultures and belief systems.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Must demonstrate sound judgment, professional boundaries, ethics, and ability to maintain confidentiality.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:

This is a full-time position with the central office located in Anchorage, AK. Position allows for some remote work. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. This is a 44-46 week position with summers off. Working months are August to June.

TRAVEL:

Travel is primarily local during the business day. Moderate travel to and in rural Alaskan communities, including travel by small airplane and alternative ground transportation is required.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS AND REQUIRED EDUCATION:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must pass state and federal background checks for convictions of violence and child abuse and/or neglect, including but not limited to fingerprinting.
• BA degree or higher in Early Childhood Education; or related field including coursework equivalent to a major relating to ECE.
• Experience planning and administering program services for children and families and assess the quality of services and develop program services.
• Knowledge of 3 to 5 years of age growth and development.
• Demonstrated effective oral and written communication skills including giving and receiving feedback on quality of services.
• Must demonstrate sound judgment, professional boundaries, and ethics as well as maintain confidentiality in working with partner agencies, other service providers, and diverse staff.
• Responsible work ethic with reliable attendance.
• Must pursue an ongoing professional development plan including formal training certification or college degree as recommended by the program.
• Must attend 15 hours of professional development training annually.
• Proven ability and willingness to be self-directed in problem solving and decision-making and perform basic assignment with little or no direct supervision while also working effectively as a team member.
• Demonstrated intermediate level of computer skills necessary in order to use and create documents and reports, spreadsheets, workshop materials and slide presentations, and to enter data into intricate database programs and proficient use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Outlook.
• Must keep all matters concerning participants in strictest confidence as required by HIPAA privacy and the 42 CFR, Part II confidentiality regulations.
• Must provide a TB screening and basic physical exam within thirty (30) days of hire with follow-up every three (3) years at employee’s expense.
• Must complete and maintain CPR and First Aid Training certification at employer’s expense.
• Must be able to provide own transportation to meet work schedule requirements.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• MA degree or higher in Early Childhood Education; or related field including coursework equivalent to a major relating to ECE.
• Knowledge of CDA competencies and familiarity with the assessment process.
• Knowledge and experience in rural Alaskan lifestyles with strong competence in multi-cultural environments.
• Experience with Child Plus.
• Knowledge and experience with the Head Start program.
• Experience in providing adult training.

BENEFITS: As a full time, regular employee, you will be eligible to participate in our competitive benefits programs on the first day of the month after your 60th day of employment, including but not limited to:

1. Medical, Dental & Vision  
2. Life & Supplemental Insurance
3. 401K/Pension Plan
4. Flexible Spending Account/Health & Dependent Care
5. Health Savings Account
6. Employee Assistance Program
7. 20 days (160 hours) of accrued Paid Time Off
8. 12 Established paid holidays
9. Monthly Wellness Reimbursement

Full job description can be found at https://ruralcaphr.secure.force.com/recruit/fRecruit__ApplyJob?vacancyNo=VN354