Head Start Early Childhood/disabilities Administrator (child Care Specialist Iii) at Fairfax County Government
Fairfax, VA
About the Job
Job Announcement
Under the general supervision of the Head Start Director, this position oversees the planning, assessment and monitoring of the Head Start child development program. Serves as an expert in early childhood education and disabilities, and curriculum fidelity. They are responsible for training, service delivery and evaluation of the program as it relates to preparing children for success in school, including data and child outcomes collection and analysis. While this position is paid through Head Start Preschool funding, the incumbent will work collaboratively with their Early Head Start (birth to 3) counterpart to provide comprehensive birth to 5 services for all children. Also maintains Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) reliability and conduct CLASS observations. This position is responsible for special projects as assigned.
The ideal candidate is an organized leader with experience in early childhood education, who can build trusting relationships through effective communication, reliability, and collaboration. Should have experience working with diverse populations and believe in Head Start’s holistic approach to child development. A systems-focused, strategic thinker who excels as part of a team will experience success in this role.
In this position, the appointee will:
Illustrative Duties
Plans and directs the administration, programming, and management of a broad program area (e.g., the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program);
Interprets federal, state, and local laws and regulations as they apply to programs;
Assists in developing various program policies and procedures;
Provides comprehensive training and technical assistance for child care programs;
Has ultimate responsibility for the development of all training programs on program planning and child development;
Provides quality assurance for programs and makes recommendations for improvements;
Performs short- and long-range planning and adjusts systems and resources to match current program strategies;
Researches and writes grants proposals and seeks innovative funding sources;
Approves written communication materials that are disseminated to the public;
Monitors program statistics and oversees production of reports summarizing program accomplishments;
Oversees coordination of services with other governmental programs and community
organizations to enhance effectiveness of partnerships;
Represents the program in task forces including other governmental agencies and community groups.
Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities
Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, concepts, and methodology of assigned area of accountability;
Knowledge of county budget/fiscal policies and procedures;
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
Ability to perform short- and long-range planning and monitor effectiveness of programs;
Ability to keep current on the latest theories of early childhood development and education;
Ability to work independently and as a leader of a team;
Ability to manage projects and supervise others;
Ability to work collaboratively to build partnerships with other jurisdictions and organizations (e.g. businesses, non-profit entities, etc.).
Employment Standards
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”)
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, psychology, social work, or a closely related field; plus three years of professional experience in day care administration, early child education, or related human service administration.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a Child Protective Services Registry check, and a driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer. A Tuberculosis (TB) screening upon hire.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Proficiency in using technology and automated databases. Excellent oral and writing skills.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work is generally sedentary in nature. However, incumbent may be required to do some walking, standing, bending, and carrying items up to 25 pounds. Ability to operate keyboard-driven equipment. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing. Sufficiently mobile to attend meetings at various locations and make presentations to county staff and community. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include a practical exercise.
The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.
#LI-LD1
Under the general supervision of the Head Start Director, this position oversees the planning, assessment and monitoring of the Head Start child development program. Serves as an expert in early childhood education and disabilities, and curriculum fidelity. They are responsible for training, service delivery and evaluation of the program as it relates to preparing children for success in school, including data and child outcomes collection and analysis. While this position is paid through Head Start Preschool funding, the incumbent will work collaboratively with their Early Head Start (birth to 3) counterpart to provide comprehensive birth to 5 services for all children. Also maintains Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) reliability and conduct CLASS observations. This position is responsible for special projects as assigned.
The ideal candidate is an organized leader with experience in early childhood education, who can build trusting relationships through effective communication, reliability, and collaboration. Should have experience working with diverse populations and believe in Head Start’s holistic approach to child development. A systems-focused, strategic thinker who excels as part of a team will experience success in this role.
In this position, the appointee will:
- Monitor service delivery through statistical analysis and assessment tools to achieve quality programming and ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations and program standards.
- Provide support in planning and program management, including the development and implementation of policies and procedures.
- Establish new and strengthen existing partnerships to improve the quality of program services.
- Develop and maintain systems for early childhood contractual and partnership services.
- In collaboration with management and staff, contribute to the development of short- and long-term goals related to Head Start’s mission.
- Oversee the planning, tracking, and monitoring of curricula and child outcomes.
- Identify, develop, and deliver training and technical assistance for Head Start staff and partners.
- Serve as an expert on Head Start at other community committees as it relates to early childhood education and disabilities.
- Stay current on the advancements in early childhood development and share relevant information with colleagues.
Illustrative Duties
Plans and directs the administration, programming, and management of a broad program area (e.g., the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program);
Interprets federal, state, and local laws and regulations as they apply to programs;
Assists in developing various program policies and procedures;
Provides comprehensive training and technical assistance for child care programs;
Has ultimate responsibility for the development of all training programs on program planning and child development;
Provides quality assurance for programs and makes recommendations for improvements;
Performs short- and long-range planning and adjusts systems and resources to match current program strategies;
Researches and writes grants proposals and seeks innovative funding sources;
Approves written communication materials that are disseminated to the public;
Monitors program statistics and oversees production of reports summarizing program accomplishments;
Oversees coordination of services with other governmental programs and community
organizations to enhance effectiveness of partnerships;
Represents the program in task forces including other governmental agencies and community groups.
Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities
Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, concepts, and methodology of assigned area of accountability;
Knowledge of county budget/fiscal policies and procedures;
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
Ability to perform short- and long-range planning and monitor effectiveness of programs;
Ability to keep current on the latest theories of early childhood development and education;
Ability to work independently and as a leader of a team;
Ability to manage projects and supervise others;
Ability to work collaboratively to build partnerships with other jurisdictions and organizations (e.g. businesses, non-profit entities, etc.).
Employment Standards
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”)
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, psychology, social work, or a closely related field; plus three years of professional experience in day care administration, early child education, or related human service administration.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a Child Protective Services Registry check, and a driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer. A Tuberculosis (TB) screening upon hire.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- A Bachelor's or higher degree in child development, early childhood education, or special education.
- Four or more years of full-time equivalent experience in:
- Leadership within birth to five early childhood programs.
- Monitoring early childhood education service delivery.
- Providing training and technical assistance to early childhood educators.
- Program management, including budgets and procurement.
- Conducting focused observations in early childhood learning environments.
- Implementing a curriculum to fidelity.
- Reliable in Infant/Toddler and PreK Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) tools.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work is generally sedentary in nature. However, incumbent may be required to do some walking, standing, bending, and carrying items up to 25 pounds. Ability to operate keyboard-driven equipment. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing. Sufficiently mobile to attend meetings at various locations and make presentations to county staff and community. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include a practical exercise.
The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.
#LI-LD1
