Center manager/Family Advocate - Community Action Program for Central Arkansas

STATEMENT OF THE JOB: Under the overall supervision of the Early Childhood Director and the direct supervision of the designated Head Start Supervisor, functions as Center Manager/Family Advocate for designated Head Start Center. Responsible for overall direction and supervision of center staff, programs and activities. Also functions as a Family Advocate to recruit and enroll eligible Head Start children.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Maintain a professional attitude with all staff, parents, volunteers and children at all times.
2. Responsible for planning and providing direction for staff on daily basis. Carry out Agency goals, policies and activities designed to implement program objectives and Head Start Performance Standards.
3. Provide direct supervision to all paid employees and volunteers while they render services to the Head Start Center (unless delegated to other staff) including completion of performance evaluations, professional development plans and approving time sheets and leave time.
4. Maintain a safe environment in the center and on the playground, using the Daily Playground Equipment Checklist and other center assessments.
5. Maintain a high quality program of work including, but not limited to accurate and up-to-date records for attendance, enrollment, health services, budgetary items and volunteer contributions.
6. Submit weekly, monthly and other reports as required by the Agency, Office of Head Start, licensing or other reports as designated.
7. Hold a minimum of one staff meeting per month to discuss activities and needs of the Center and plan programs.
8. Obtain and document In-Kind (Non-Federal Match) for parent and community activities.
9. Enter and maintain designated MYHS information.
10. Responsible for working with the Parent Committee to develop and maintain an adequate volunteer and parent involvement program.
11. Serve as a member of the IEP Team by attending IEP meetings, unless otherwise directed.
12. Must be able to see, hear and respond to children’s needs, emergencies and conflicts that might occur in the classroom, playground, bathrooms or other areas used by children.
13. Take every safeguard to protect children and make careful decisions regarding their daily care.
14. Assist in providing training and technical assistance in overall child development.
15. Ensure that educational home visits and parent conferences are conducted.
16. Responsible for the orderliness and cleanliness of the Center.
17. Family Advocate duties:
18. Responsible for the overall implementation of the Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment and Attendance content area at the center level. Complete applications and conduct intakes in order to maintain full enrollment and an active waiting list.
19. Work to ensure that lines of communication are open between parents and staff. Assist in providing information to parents in areas that may lead toward self-sufficiency.
20. Maintain appropriate ERSEA records and documentation that are consistent in both paper records and electronically in MYHS. Ensure compliance with CAPCA policies and procedures, Office of Head Start, state licensing requirements and any other regulations. Safeguard confidentiality of all personal identifiable information.
21. Maintain tracking systems to monitor children and family records for completion, accuracy and up-to-date information.
22. Work with the Health Coordinator to:

• verify immunization status for potential applicants prior to enrolling children and
• ensure the completion of screenings and exams as required by the Office of Head Start within designated timeframes.

1. Assist parents to:

• ensure that health related referrals and follow-up services are completed in a timely manner,
• obtain needed services,
• schedule appointments and complete necessary forms and
• provide transportation when necessary.
• Setting family Goals & follow-ups

1. Make home visits and referrals for families who are in need of assistance. Document on Family Contacts in MYHS Complete follow-up on referrals.
2. Work in close coordination with Agency Community Advocates to ensure services for families, including case management and Family Partnership Agreements are implemented.
3. Responsible for the implementation of recommendations made by Administrative Office staff, support staff and consultants.
4. Maintain positive working relationship with all service providers.
5. Assist in mobilizing local resources in the communities served.
6. Attend staffings and Quality Team Meetings (QTM.
7. Responsible for data management in child development and ERSEA areas.
8. Responsible for avoidance or appearance of fraud and ensuring compliance in the early childhood area.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Respect confidentiality in all aspects of the Head Start Program.
2. Attend a minimum of 15 clock hours of professional development per year that is within the scope of job responsibilities.
3. Must be willing to participate in all training designed for professional development.
4. Able to handle stress, tension and exasperation that contact with many children and adults may bring every day.
5. May be called upon to administer first aid to children or staff at any time in the program. The incidental nature of this circumstance effectively establishes first aid as a collateral duty, rather than a primary one.
6. Perform other job-related duties as necessary for the overall operation of the program.

Requirements

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

1. Educational Requirements:

• Baccalaureate or advanced degree in early childhood education or coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education with experience teaching preschool–age children. (Associate degree in early childhood or related degree may be considered under certain conditions that meet licensing requirements, including six (6) years of experience and provided that applicant is enrolled in or plans to enroll in coursework to obtain above degree.)
• Must have or obtain a minimum of a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field within 18 months of hire.

1. Experience Requirements:

• Two years of experience working with young children (3 to 5 years of age).
• Supervisory experience.
• Computer literate.

1. Physical Requirements:

• 21 years of age or older.
• Must pass tuberculosis screening annually and initial health examination within three months of employment.
• Good physical condition.
• Valid driver’s license, access to transportation with liability insurance and willing to use vehicle for Agency related travel.
• Able to travel out of area overnight to attend training.
• Able to hear and communicate orally with children and adults.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds

1. Skill Requirements:

• Ability to read, write and perform mathematical calculations.

1. Personal Traits:

• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Be in sympathy with the concepts of the Head Start Program.
• Ability to supervise staff and volunteers.
• Able to delegate responsibilities.
• Able to keep confidential information without inappropriately divulging it.
• Make decisions and work without continual close supervision.

1. Must be able to pass background checks.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed above 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.

Receive a $650.00 New Hire Incentive following a satisfactory 90-day job performance review.

Start Date: ASAP

Associate's Degree $ 17.68 per hour, Bachelor's Degree $17.95 per hour