Center Operations Coordinator- Hancock County

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

This position serves as a Center Operations Coordinator for the Head Start program. The Center Operations Coordinator serves as the operational lead for the center, ensuring compliance with all program policies/procedures and Head Start, licensing or other regulations. The Center Operations Coordinator is expected tmaintain program confidentiality at all times. In addition, the Center Operations Coordinator is expected tbe a positive ambassador for the MSU-Extension Head Start Program.

Responsibilities:
The Center Operation Coordinator is primarily responsible for achieving the following outcomes for the Head Start program:

Education: Assist the Educational Leader tensure full implementation of all aspects of the Head Start program’s early learning system, policies/procedures, and tools with the goal of supporting all children tachieve School Readiness Goals.

• Ensure the completion of all required child screenings and assessments, including 45 and 90-day requirements for new children and quarterly progress assessments for all children.
• Ensure that classrooms, gym, and outdoor areas are supplied with developmentally appropriate materials and that all materials are in proper working order and safe for young children.
• Participate in team meetings, home visits, and community events as needed.

 

Family Partnerships: Coordinate with Family Service team located at their site to ensure full implementation of family services and parent involvement (in consultation with Family Service Coordinators and Lead Advocates)

• Model strong, positive relationships with families.
• Support Family Advocates to implement all aspects of family services program, including planning monthly Family Engagement meetings, any parent/teacher conferences, and policy council.
• Coordinate training for parents and community members wanting to volunteer in centers.

Communication & Service Coordination: Participate in regular team meetings to ensure effective communication and service coordination.

• Attend local, state and regional initiatives to represent the center and to develop professionally.
• Ensure children’s individual health, nutrition, disabilities or mental health needs are met, through the implementation of referral system, coordination with appropriate coordinators/specialists, and participation in case conferences as necessary.
• Develop a working knowledge of local community resources related to education and transition.
• Actively participate in the Head Start community, including staff meetings, mandated training, committee meetings, and other program-wide functions as needed, including some evening activities.
• Ensure complete and accurate implementation of all required systems for recordkeeping and reporting, including: Individual child/family files, Master binders, Education portfolios or other documentation of early childhood education services, In-kind contributions from parents or community members, Purchasing and tracking of supplies and equipment, Employee timekeeping, Employee paid time off, Child, family & program information in Shine Insight.
• Record Keeping & Reporting:. In collaboration with the Center Operations Coordinator, ensure complete and accurate implementation of all MSU-Extension required systems for recordkeeping and reporting.
• Review quarterly MB(managing by outcomes) report and ensure all concerns are addressed in a timely fashion.
• Monitor daily attendance and reports to ensure site is in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards.
  • Individual child/family files
  • Master binders
  • Education portfolios or other documentation of early childhood education services
  • In-kind contributions from parents or community members
  • Purchasing and tracking of supplies and equipment
  • Employee timekeeping
  • Child, family & program information in Shine Insight
  • Child observations, assessment & planning information

Ongoing Monitoring & Self-Assessment: Participate in annual program self-assessment

• Implement all monitoring systems required by MSU-Extension, childcare licensing, CACFP, or other agencies, including daily visual check of indoor & outdoor safety. Monthly or quarterly completion of health & safety monitoring tool.

Program Governance and Leadership: Participate in annual and quarterly planning to set, plan for, and monitor program goals.

• Assist in establishing a focus for the education service area and act talign area’s goals with the strategic direction and needs of the center; ensure that employees in the area understand how their work relates tthe center as a whole and the relevant regulations and performance standards.
• Improve quality and effectiveness of education service area and overall organization by initiating, sponsoring and implementing organizational change and by helping others tsuccessfully manage organizational change.
• Promote the consistent exchange of information and a cooperative environment within the leadership of the center.
• Attend parent committees, Policy Council and leadership meetings as needed or requested.
• Ensure teachers and volunteers understand regulations associated with the prevention of occupational disease and injury, including the exercise of universal precautions.
• Recognize that your job description is service area-specific but not limited to: confidentiality, child abuse reporting, attendance and dependability, appropriate dress, customer service and support to all families, prudent use of program resources, and promoting and maintaining safe work environment.

Human Resources & Supervision: In collaboration with Education Leader, assist with staff supervision, ensure completion of all human resources activities, and ensure compliance with relevant policies and procedures.

• Hold monthly staff meetings to maintain health, safety, and compliance within the center operations.
• Submit annual performance evaluations in a timely manner.
• Work with center support staff under Center Operations Coordinator’s leadership to develop and support their individual development plan, including training plans
• Understand the personnel policies and procedures and that staff adhere to these policies.
• Instruct, train, and work effectively with the people you supervise from a variety of backgrounds and with differing levels/areas of training.
• Devise work methods and procedures that support improvements in existing work practices.

Operations and Facilities: Serve as operational lead for the center, ensuring compliance with all program policies/procedures and Head Start, licensing or other regulations

• Ensures that facilities, materials, and equipment are safe, appropriate, and conducive to learning and reflective of the different ages and stage of development of each child, including children with disabilities.
• Ensures Center-based environments are free of toxins, such as smoke, lead, pesticides, and herbicides.
• Ensures arrangements and space, as well as types and use of materials and equipment, match grantees identified curriculum.
• Ensures the facilities are accessible tpersons with disabilities as required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
• Conduct and/or supervise monthly safety checks.

Non-Essential Duties:

• Performs any and all other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood, Child Development or a related field
Experience: Experience in managing operational functions of a preschool program.
Licensures:

• Current driver’s license & reliable form of transportation
• Obtain certification in CPR and First Aid
• Physical exam and background checks are required for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:
 

• Master’s preferred in related field
• Previous experience in the education industry, preferable pre-K or Head Start.
• Bilingual Spanish-English preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of health and safety licensing requirements (if applicable)
• Ability to interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability tcommunicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated computer literacy skills, using MS Office applications and other basic data systems including internet navigation.
• Must be honest, dependable and able tmeet deadlines.
• Self-motivated and able twork independently.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Physical Requirements:

• Ability tsit most of the time with some bending and reaching.
• Ability tstand, walk, and bend periodically.
• Able tlift a child weighing 40 pounds, 20 times a day if needed.

Work Environment:

• Travel required locally or long-distance up to 10% of the time for work-related meetings and functions.
• Work is generally performed in an office environment.
• Noise level in the work environment is moderate to occasionally loud (examples: business office with computers and printers, light to moderate traffic, human voices).
• Standard office equipment generally used includes:
• Telephone
• Personal Computer (monitor, keyboard, and mouse) or Tablet
• Printer/Photocopy Machine
• Calculator
• Fax Machine

Instructions for Applying:

Link to apply:  http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

All applicants MUST apply online at www.jobs.msstate.edu tbe considered for this position.

The following documents and information are required for application:
Cover Letter

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information for at least three professional references
• Current unofficial transcript (with social security numbers removed prior to submission)

An official transcript will be required if selected for employment.