Head Start Regional Director - Upbring

Overview

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

Upbring Head Start & Early Head Start centers set children up for a bright future by providing a safe, inclusive place in which to learn, grow and thrive. We surround families with the services needed to prepare children to start kindergarten ready to learn. The Regional Director coordinates all functions of the program(s), provides leadership, guidance, and support. The Regional Director works with other program leaders and agency departments in planning, designing, implementing, and evaluating program systems and in representing the agency in local, regional, state, and national communities.

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.  

Responsibilities

We Are Warriors | We Set the Standards for Child Education

Work Standards 

• Directly supervises the Center Directors, Education Coordinators, Family Services Coordinators, and Area Administrative Assistants providing ongoing support and leadership to their respective teams (if applicable).
• Work in concert with Program Director, Director of Partnerships, Superintendent, Family Services, Health and Disabilities Assistant Superintendent, and Operations Assistant Superintendent to develop operational procedures, implement strategic initiatives and complete projects that impact both the local programs and agency’s business objectives
• Ensure compliance with agency policies, municipal ordinances, federal standards, Minimum Standards for Child-Care Centers, Head Start Performance Standards and Child and Adult Care Food Program
• Responsible for ensuring fire and security systems for all centers are in operation and in compliance
• Maintain a child-care license compliance file for all centers
• Oversee issuing of agency supplies to personnel, while maintaining an inventory of equipment, laptops, and or cell phones
• 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 Licensing Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), Upbring policies, and procedures, Child Care Minimum Standards, and other federal, state, and local regulatory requirements
• Organize, facilitate, and monitor Policy Council meetings in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards Upbring By-Laws and Upbring policies and procedures
• Always ensure the health and safety of each child in care, and support the overall well-being of children
• Monitors and ensure status of food handler permits, fire permits, and Board of Health requirements.  If applicable, arranges for well water testing and maintains records and chemicals for safe operation of well water.   
• Monitor and ensure service area standards are recorded for the completion of the yearly PIR
• Fulfill role as mandated reporter as stated in Child Abuse and Neglect Policy

Decision Making

• Continuously oversees data monitoring from education team ((Assessment tools, home visit requirements, etc.)
• Uses data to develop program goals and initiatives
• Approves education staff hiring
• Review and approves Coaching and Counseling and Performance Improvement Plans
• Approves time, absences, and mileage for direct staff
• Monitor funded enrollment level in accordance with enrollment requirements
• Monitor and analyze family services, health, and disabilities data

Communication

• Immediately communicate and address in collaboration with employee’s supervisor all concerns related to child health and safety
• Communicates with leadership on program updates and any concerns regarding ISD partnerships, the education team, family services team, and center directors

Fiscal Management

• Ensures fiscal management by monitoring educational expenditures
• Approves purchases for classroom and facility needs for all stand-alone centers; reviews ISD classroom and facility purchases alongside Director of Partnerships
• Responsible for monitoring the IT, facility and maintenance, and food service annual budgets
• Reconcile capital assets and equipment inventory annually and upon request utilizing the authorized data management platform  

We Are Servants | We Help Others

Adaptability

• Coordinates with Program Trainer to plan and oversee on-boarding of new program personnel
• Approve or disapprove school delays and closures alongside Program Director
• Responds to all emergencies and acts as emergency liaison with municipal departments
• Assist in surveys of new buildings and opportunities for business expansion

Teamwork

• Guide program staff in a collaborative effort to promote a positive nurturing environment embodying all Upbring’s Core Values.
• Collaborates and coordinates with program leadership to ensure timely and appropriate recruitment of families and children with the focus on successful program outcomes
• Participate in meetings with school partners in collaboration with Director of Partnerships
• Collaboratively plans, organizes, and facilitates monthly Policy Council meetings with Family Services team
• Support leadership team in meeting all programs and/or agency-wide goals
• Actively participate in collaborative and cooperative efforts and activities with Head Start leadership aligning instructional strategies with program goals and objectives that meet the needs of the students and families
• Work as part of the team and always show professionalism by modeling and demonstrating a positive attitude and positive working relationships, while maintaining strong ethical boundaries

We Are Family | We Are Passionate & Compassionate

Building Relationships

• Communicate with ISD partners on a regular basis alongside the Director of Partnerships to build strong community relationships
• Consistently collaborates and contributes to professional excellence through productive leadership and participation in:
  • Building program policies and procedures
  • Creating and implementing program handbooks and forms
  • Building strong community relationships
• Liaison with contractors to assure stated work is completed properly and in compliance with the Davis Bacon Act
• Work in conjunction with Head Start leadership team to develop operational procedures, implement strategic initiatives and complete projects that impact the program goals and objectives
• Work with Head start leadership and ISD leadership team to draft partnership agreements
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with classroom teachers, 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

Developing and Encouraging Others

• Provides individual and group support for all program staff in implementing program goals and initiatives
• Collaborate with Program Director to plan and implement comprehensive, differentiated, and sequential professional development for Upbring staff.
• Provides input for annual renewal applications and self-assessments
• Monitor and supervise Family Service Coordinators with the implementation of training and educational opportunities for parents and families
• 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

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field
• 3 years’ experience in a supervisory role; experience in early childhood setting
• Ability to travel up to 40% of the time

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Demonstrated success in program management, including operational and financial management, evaluation and assessment, and continuous improvement for educational programs
• Experience leading and inspiring a highly effective team, with a strong commitment to staff development
• Demonstrated success implementing new programs to engage broad, diverse audiences
• Ability to communicate effectively in written or verbal format to groups of all sizes and individuals
• Current Texas Driver’s License and auto insurance in good standing
• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook and other related programs

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field
• Bilingual education expertise
• Background in Special Education/Inclusion
• Prior Head Start / Early Head Start experience
• Experience with Head Start approved curriculums, monitoring and assessment tools
• Reliable in CLASS

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 

Physical Demands & Work Conditions

• This position requires sitting and looking and using a computer for long periods of time
• Up to 75% travel will be required to fulfill the duties of the position
• Position may work in a child facility and have limited exposure to children
• Lift, push, pull, 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 successfully perform the essential functions of this position. 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 fulfill our mission to break 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.