Center Director - Upbring

About Us

At Upbring, we are servants on a mission to break the cycle of child abuse. We are warriors, brave as the thousands of Texas Children and families we serve. We stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves. We are a family who values innovation, empathy, patience, understanding and trustworthiness.

About Our Head Start Centers

Upbring Head Start Preschool provides a safe, inclusive place to learn, grow and thrive. The families receive support and services to complement the child’s education as the kindergarten transition nears.

What You'll Do

The Center Director is responsible for ensuring high quality Early Head Start and Head Start education including the administration and day-to-day operations of the Head Start Center are in compliance with Upbring standards, Head Start Performance Standards, Child Care Licensing Minimum Standards, other federal, state, and local regulatory requirements. Our Upbring staff members are servant-leaders on the pursuit of breaking the cycle of child abuse and empowering others to do the same through example while embodying our core values: We are Warriors. We are Servants. We are Family. 

This is a year round position.

We Are Warriors | We Set the Standards for Child Education

Work Standards 

• Directly supervises teaching staff and center staff, working closely and in collaboration with Regional Director, Education Coordinator and Family Services Coordinator towards program success
• Conduct daily classroom walk throughs and observations
• Ensure the safety, supervision, and well-being of all the children and staff always; provide precautionary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of children and staff
• Staff must not use/impose corporal punishment or other forms of child maltreatment as a method to discipline children
• Comply with the company code of conduct and other applicable regulations and requirements, including Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), Upbring policies and procedures, Child Care Minimum Standards, and other federal, state, and local regulatory requirements
• Always ensure the health and safety of each child in care, and support the overall well-being of children
• Fulfill role as mandated reporter as stated in Child Abuse and Neglect Policy
• Recognize, understand, and support CLASS observations/requirements and successful classroom environments
• Attend and help host all professional development and in-service trainings for center staff

Communication

• Monitor and coordinate completion of all data (home visits, parent teacher conferences, lesson plans, screenings, assessments, attendance, meal counts, etc.)
• Organize, create, and distribute monthly newsletters for distribution to parents
• Immediately communicate with supervisor all concerns related to child health and safety and facility concerns
• Collaboration with Family Engagement Advocate with families during enrollment, staffing’s, etc.
• Ongoing monitoring of communication logs between staff and families

Fiscal Management

• Understand center budget to ensure operational costs are consistent with the fiscal philosophy of Upbring
• Collaborate with Regional Directors and Assistant Superintendent of Operations to oversee operational costs and expenditures and ensure they are in alignment with budget allowances; research, create, plan, coordinate, execute, and evaluate center construction, new developments, repairs, and maintenance within an established budget
• Work closely with Regional Directors, Assistant Superintendent of Operations,  and approved vendors to ensure costs are appropriately quoted for needed services; ensure that all expenditures meet the job bidding requirements set forth in the Head Start contract; collect and review for accuracy all prevailing wage documentation in accordance with the Davis Bacon Act 

We Are Servants| We Help Others

Teamwork

• Address and collaborate with supervisor mitigating concerns : inclusive but not limited to classroom management, behavior management, child health and safety, child development, and any other concerns requiring intervention
• Guide program staff in a collaborative effort to promote a positive nurturing environment embodying all of Upbring’s Core Values.
• Works directly with Education Coordinators, Family Service Coordinators, and Ed. Coaches including daily instruction, activities, and active supervision to ensure high quality education by supervising the Head Start/Early Head Start teachers’ daily instruction, activities, and ratio
• Work collaboratively with Regional Director, Operations team, and Nutrition Coordinator in the areas of food service, technology resources, and center operations to meet the Head Start Performance Standards, Child Care Licensing Minimum Standards, CACFP, and other federal, state, and local regulatory requirements
• Work collaboratively with the Regional Director and Operations team to ensure the center and its equipment and supplies are ordered and appropriately maintained,  including scheduling  and coordinating repairs
• Work collaboratively with the Regional Director in preparing Coaching and Counseling forms and Performance Improvement Plans with support of People Operations
• Work closely with the classroom teachers and program staff to ensure program operations are supporting and meeting program goals and objectives and learning outcomes
• Work as part of the team and always show professionalism by modeling and demonstrating Upbring Core Values, a positive attitude and positive working relationships, while maintaining strong ethical boundaries

We Are Family | We Are Passionate & Compassionate

Building Relationships

• Works collaboratively with the assigned family engagement advocate and ERSEA Specialist to coordinate and schedule monthly family engagement activities, parent meetings, community, and volunteer events
• Works collaboratively with all center staff to conduct monthly staffing’s on program needs (children and staff progress, etc.)
• Review building needs: monitor, prioritize, and evaluate center requests and coordinate scheduling or contracting an outside vendor to handle the requests
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with classroom teachers, program leadership, administrative staff, children, and parents to ensure the children are receiving a quality learning experience
• Establish and maintain professional working relationships with vendors, program and center funders, and the business community
• Actively participate in exhibiting cultural awareness and sensitivity when interacting with children, parent(s)/guardian(s), staff, and the community

Developing and Encouraging Others

• Coach and support staff to ensure they have the necessary tools and resources needed to optimize performance, ensure established program goals, and achieve operational excellence.
• Communicate with direct reports in periodic one-on-one meetings
• Organize and deliver regularly scheduled staff meetings to communicate present, on-going, and future updates of pertinent information, projects, and initiatives
• (combined into first bullet) Work closely with management team to interview, hire, and onboard new employees who are strong cultural fits for Upbring
• Work in collaboration with leadership and the Organizational Development and Culture Team to arrange training; when needed, coordinate and/or provide in-service training for staff development
• Regularly review employee performance, including goals and progress, to provide developmental feedback: use applicable agency development tools to facilitate growth and development in staff
• Draft and issue the 90-day and annual evaluations, along with supporting documentation, as per established procedures; work in collaboration with staff to set goals during evaluation periods

Minimum Qualifications

• A Child Development Associate credential or Certified Child-Care Professional credential with six college credit hours in business management AND at least two years of experience in licensed childcare center

OR

• A day-care administrator’s credential issued by a professional organization or educational institution and approved by Licensing based on criteria specified in Subchapter P of Chapter 745 of this title, (relating to Day-Care Administrator’s Credential Program), AND at least two years of experience in a licensed child-care center

OR

• Nine college credit hours in child development and nine college credit hours in business management AND at least three years of experience in a licensed child-care center
• Computer skills with proficiency with Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, and Outlook)

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or closely related field
• 5 years’ experience with Head Start or similar school readiness programs
• Experience with inclusion of children with disabilities
• Knowledge of infant/toddler health and safety licensing requirements
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) with the ability to fluently converse and write in Spanish (based on student population and service area), highly preferred
• CPR/First Aid Certification

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work and interact with diverse groups of people
• Ability to build a positive rapport with children, parents/guardians, and staff
• Strong stress management, time management and organizational skills with the ability to pay close attention to detail
• Ability to prioritize tasks and projects and meet deadlines
• Strong written and verbal communication, including preparation of quality well written documents, reports, and correspondence
• Ability to work independently and within a team; ability to take initiative with limited supervision

Perks at Upbring

• Competitive PTO & paid holidays 
• Health, dental, vision insurance & more! 
• 403(b) Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• 24/7 access to telemedicine and counseling services 
• Discounted Gym Memberships 
• Donated Leave Program 

Physical Demands & Work Conditions

• This position requires sitting and looking and using a computer for long periods
• Position may work in a child facility and have limited exposure to children
• Lift, push, pull or move up to 50 lbs

The physical requirements for this position with or without reasonable accommodation are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. While performing this position the employee with or without reasonable accommodation should have the ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, speak, and hear with aid, see, read, reach with arms and hands, lift and/or move up to specified weight, and use equipment that is essential to performing the job, such as a computer, copier, fax machine, telephone, and automobile, if applicable. Specific vision requirements of this position may include color vision, seeing things close up, and the ability to adjust focus.

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Belonging  

We are a diverse and inclusive Organization that recognizes our strength is in the efforts of our selfless warriors. Honoring and recognizing the value and dignity of all individuals is the cornerstone of our agency. The more diverse the individuals, thought processes and lived experiences, the greater the opportunity is to combine unique perspectives to make a greater impact. Our trust, respect, and appreciation for one another is demonstrated through our communication, celebration of progress and relentless effort to be at our best TO FULLFILL OUR MISSION OF BREAKING THE CYCLE OF CHILD ABUSE.

Upbring is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status.