Manager of Education and Support Services

Position Summary

Assist the Assistant Director of Education and Support Services in planning and coordinating daily center operations and ensuring that all program services, including education and support services, comply with the Head Start Performance Standards and Texas Minimum Standards for Licensed Child Care Centers. Provide support and guidance to the Center Administrators (CAs), Center staff, Education Coaches (ECs), Family Coaches (FCs), and Family Wellness Techs (FWTs) to ensure high-quality and safe, comprehensive program services and operations that follow state, national and local standards, licensing requirements, and agency expectations. The Manager of Education and Support Services will collaborate with other content area teams to ensure the team has the support, training, and technical assistance needed when working with children and families of HS/EHS. 50% of the time is expected to be spent on-site at centers.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

The work environment is that which is typical of an office setting. The noise level is usually moderate. Working in an office requires maintaining physical condition and stamina appropriate to performing assigned duties and responsibilities, including stationary positioning for extended periods, interacting with co-workers, visitors, etc. It frequently requires lifting boxes of copy paper, office supplies, etc. Occasional use of upper extremities to press against equipment, furniture, etc., between 30-50 pounds with steady force to thrust forward, downward, or outward. It requires occasional use of the upper extremities to exert force to draw, haul, or tug objects between 30-50 pounds in a sustained motion. Raising objects between 30-50 pounds from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position is occasionally required.

Regularly required to use upper extremities including reaching with hands and arms to move office supplies, files, documents, etc. from a lower to higher position. Occasionally required to bend legs to rest on the knees, bend the body downward and forward by bending legs and spine (at the waist), and move about on hands and knees or hands and feet. Frequently required to communicate information or instructions to co-workers, visitors, parents, peers, management, etc. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Use of personal computing equipment, telephone, multi-functioning printer, and calculator. Working evenings, weekends, and holidays as required to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position successfully. Normal to heavy travel is required to attend meetings, classes, and workshops in and out of the service area. Must be able to travel by air as necessary to participate in training, conferences, and related activities.

Essential Functions

Job Function

1. Serve as a liaison between the Head Start Centers and the Assistant Director of Education and Support Services.
2. Assist with the planning and development process for designing systems to implement daily center operational functions, education of pregnant women, infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, and support, health, mental health, and nutrition services for children and families.
3. Assist the Center Administrator in implementing operational systems (e.g., staffing schedules, routines, attendance and absences tracking, parent sign-in/sign-out, child inspections, record keeping, materials and supplies, transition into and out of Head Start, etc.).
4. Assist with the planning and developing policies and procedures for program services.
5. Foster a positive working partnership with and among all content area staff and Center Administrators to assist in developing strong linkages, planning, coordination, and overall efficiency in the education and support services of the HS/EHS program.
6. Assist in reviewing and evaluating center facilities, education, and support services to ensure that program requirements established by governing agencies (Federal, state, and local agencies) are met.
7. Provide input to CAs on personnel-related issues, including staffing patterns, staff ratios, classroom supervision, disciplinary actions, and performance appraisals.
8. Work with HR and the Employee Relations Manager to report child-related incidents/accidents, parent allegations/concerns, or staff concerns.
9. Bring suggestions, ideas, concerns, and grievances to the AD of Education and Support Services, HR Director, and the Sr. Director II of EHS/HS.
10. Serves as a role model for employees, children, parents, clients, and community partners.
11. Develop, implement, and maintain high-quality early learning programs aligned with educational standards and best practices.
12. Foster a positive and collaborative work environment.
13. Provide overall support and management to the program regarding hiring, staffing, curriculum, adherence to organization policies and initiatives, and family communications.
14. Develop and maintain a professional working relationship with the staff, clients, and community.
15. Attend training, workshops, meetings, etc., related to birth to five education, health and safety, and support services.
16. Assist in identifying, planning, and conducting staff training related to program services, including education, operations, and support services and coordination with other Head Start Content Areas and the Head Start program.
17. Assist in overseeing activities transitioning into & out of Head Start.
18. Assist in purchasing materials, supplies, storage, and inventory.
19. Assist in ensuring that management systems (planning, communication, recordkeeping, program reporting, etc.) are in place to deliver quality services to children and families efficiently.
20. Provide written and verbal reports to the Assistant Director of Education and Support Services as needed and report monthly activities, professional development, and health and safety.
21. Participate in and represent the agency in community planning activities related to education, support services, and operations as directed by the supervisor.
22. Ensure all information is kept confidential from center to center/case by case and will be shared only on a need-to-know basis.
23. Assist in monitoring, tracking, and assessing operational processes, providing input, making improvements, or taking corrective actions.
24. Work closely with collaborative partners (school districts, Child Care Partners, Universities, etc.) to meet the program's established requirements.
25. Assist in the search of locations for possible Head Start sites/facilities.
26. Assist in setting up new facilities and closing sites to ensure compliance with requirements established by governing agencies (Federal, state, and local agencies).
27. Assist in recruitment, selection, and training of new staff.
28. Assist in updating and implementing new processes and procedures per applicable laws.
29. Provide on-site monitoring to EHS/HS sites as assigned.
30. Oversees purchases of supplies by the CA and other program staff and ensures that the center budget is maintained.
31. Assess employee job performance throughout the year and at least annually to ensure staff is performing their duties following the requirements of the job descriptions.
32. Able to travel for business-related activities.
33. Perform any other tasks as assigned.