Job description

JOB TITLE: Director of ECE Operations and Quality Assurance

It Takes a Village Family of Schools is currently seeking qualified applicants for a Director of ECE Operations and Quality Assurance for our early childhood education programs. It Takes a Village Family of Schools is a pipeline educational system that currently consists of three directly operated early childhood centers, eight HS partner sites, an independent K-8th grade social justice elementary school, and a workforce development training institute. ITAV is dedicated to providing comprehensive educational and case management services to low income families and children.

SUMMARY

The Director of ECE Operations and Quality Assurance is responsible for ensuring that data and information collection, analysis and reporting are used to capture the progress and continuous improvement of program quality for all of ITAV’s early childhood sites. The Director of ECE Operations and Quality Assurance works closely with the Chief Operating Officer and provides support in performing tasks considered a priority. The Director of ECE Operations and Quality Assurance oversees the areas of Compliance, Quality, Licensing, Health and Safety, and CACFP. The Director of ECE Operations and Quality Assurance is responsible for the coordination of the annual program self-assessment, ongoing program monitoring, establishing policies and procedures as needed, preparing for the Federal Review, compiling data for the Program Information Report (PIR) and a variety of other administrative duties. The ideal candidate will have experience in administering City of Chicago licensing standards, Illinois DCFS licensing standards, Early Head Start/Head Start performance standards, NAEYC Early Learning Program Accreditation standards, and the ExceleRate Illinois Standards and Applications. The Director of ECE Operations and Quality Assurance will work in collaboration with the Family and Community Engagement Director, Director of Education, Facilities Director, Human Resources Director, Information and Technology Director, Health Director, and the Early Childhood Workforce Director.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

The Director of ECE Operations and Quality Assurance works under the supervision of the Chief Operating Officer (COO).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Develops and maintains knowledge of licensing standards, Head Start performance standard, and quality measures in the field of early childhood education.
• Maintains quality and compliance for all programs.
• Responsible for participation in annual and ongoing strategic planning sessions, contributing toward a collaborative and coordinated service delivery plan.
• Establishes or supports the establishment of implementation plans and policies.
• Revises annual policies and procedures.
• Maintain policies and procedures manual including ongoing monitoring.
• Provides direct supervision to all ITAV site directors and partner sites.
• Trains administrative staff on all licensing and compliance standards.
• Make recommendations for training related to teaching and learning
• Informs the COO of any issues or concerns which arise related to meeting contract commitments.
• Informs COO of any issues or concerns which arise related to facilities.
• Assures development of program management, supervision and communication systems to assure high quality programming and supports all staff development
• Attend department, delegate agency, and other meetings related to the administration of the program.
• Represents It Takes a Village in areas designated.
• All other duties as assigned.

Program Governance

• Serves as a resource person to the CEO, COO, CFO and Governing Board, providing factual information and expert opinion as required for effective deliberation and decision making related to the operations.
• Attend Head Start Governing board meetings
• Leads the Parent Policy Committee and supports the site directors in developing the agendas for monthly parent meetings/activities.
• Ensures the rights and responsibilities of parents according to the Head Start/Early Head Start Performance Standards.
• Shares Head Start budget submissions and revisions with the PPC.
• Participates in the creation of the Parent Activity Budget.
• Provides required training to the Parent Policy Council.
• Ensures monthly Parent Committee meetings occur and collaborates with the Director of Education, the Director of Family and Community Engagement, Mental Health Consultant and Nutritionist to create the agenda.
• Works in conjunction with the FACE and Education Directors to recruit families for the PPC.

Partnerships & Licensing

• Maintains a database of potential and current Head Start facilities.
• Assists in establishing and maintaining positive relationships with school districts, community agencies, architects, contractors, etc. in securing new sites.
• Processes applications for initial issuance or renewal of child care licensure.
• Maintains required records pertaining to licensed activities and prepares reports as required.
• Investigates sites to bring them into compliance with licensing standards and/or makes necessary action.
• Maintain file to include center licenses and facility leases.
• Completes yearly updating and contracts partner sites.
• Interprets ITAV’s policies to employees and partner sites.

Health and Safety

• Ensures that all site license are in compliance, required inspections and monthly pest management occur, and all facilities are clean and organized
• Ensures that all classrooms are safe (outlets covered, first aid kits, removal of broken/damaged materials), safe sleeping practices are occurring, emergency medications are in the classroom and first aid kits are fully stocked.
• Ensures that safety orientation occurs (universal precautions, diapering, gloving, SIDS, Shaken Baby Syndrome, CPR/First Aid)
• Ensures that accident and incident reports are reported to families and funders when needed.
• Ensures COVID-19 and other communicable disease protocols are in place and implemented.
• Ensures safe handling and storage of food.
• Ensures all staff are informed of ITAV’s release of children policy.
• Annually updates and reviews risk management plans for all sites.

Program Data and Information Reports

• Ensure that all reports and records are maintained accurately and promptly.
• Ensures CACFP Specialist has accurate daily, weekly and monthly reports completed as required. This includes daily attendance reports, CACFP meal counts, monthly reports and other reports
• Ensures the compilation and availability of CACFP, health & safety, and ERSEA reports.
• Responsible for annual submission on PIR data.

Quality Benchmarks

• Examines the current policies and procedures, facilities, and environment to determine a plan of action for accreditation.
• Meet with staff weekly to assign standards, collect evidence and provide support.
• Assist in the creation of the program binder and education binder.
• Complete mock interviews with all staff prior to accreditation visits.
• Be on site during visits to provide support.
• Ensures Quality Ratings and NAEYC accreditation is maintained at all sites.
• Initiates new or revised systems to improve program quality.

Monitoring

• Oversees the planning, development and implementation of an ongoing monitoring and self-assessment program.
• Coordinate and participate in the review of files, validating PIR information.
• Assists with formal and informal program monitoring.
• Conducts facilities monitoring, HR monitoring, food service monitoring and health and safety monitoring across all sites.
• Monitors all program operations to identify areas of non-compliance and assist in the development of corrective action plans.

Compliance

• Assist the CEO and COO in assigning responsible staff to address compliance issues.
• Responsible for coordination of annual program Self-Assessment and compliance with the Head Start Performance Standards and OMB Regulations governing the Self-Assessment Process.
• Oversee processes associated with Federal reviews including but not limited to gathering pre-site documents and preparation of pre-site/on-site documents.
• Reviews required reports such as ADA, ERSEA, Health, Mental Health, FCE, HR and Nutrition, etc.
• Ensures compliance with federal Head Start/Early Head Start guidelines on in-kind contributions, volunteer time and community support.
• Attend required training to enhance knowledge of program operations, federal mandates, and other pertinent information required to perform in the risk management capacity

Required Skills and Abilities

• A commitment to uphold and promote the mission of It Takes a Village and an appreciation of a social service organizations
• An interpersonal style that is service oriented and supportive of the other departments.
• Ability to maintain ongoing communication with program participants by demonstrating excellent verbal and written communication skills and follow-up.
• An excellent attention to detail, procedures, processes and policies
• Ability to manage projects to completion, prioritize workflow to include maintaining documentation standards and provide quality service delivery
• Ability to demonstrate negotiation and problem solving to effectively deal with complex problems and achieve effective solutions.
• Ability to interpret and follow procedures/guidelines and meet performance targets to comply with childcare standards.
• Ability to work on own initiative, as part of a team, and participate in agency/local-sponsored events with participants and professional staff.
• Ability to be self- motivated in a challenging work environment and to work with sensitive and confidential information.
• Extensive knowledge of social service and early childhood programs.
• Emotional Maturity

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• This position is required to do light physical work.
• In order to successfully perform the essential functions of this position, the employee is regularly required to use standard office equipment and a PC.
• The work environment for this position includes an office or childcare environment with a low to moderate noise level

Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in child development or related field.
• Minimum of five years’ experience in administration and supervision.
• Good organizational and communication skills and the ability to work independently as well as with a team of people.
• Good judgment in making decisions, recognizing established precedents, and demonstration of resourcefulness in meeting problems.Head Start Director Job Description

Job Description: To work cooperatively and collaboratively to support the success of our co-workers, children, families, the community, our vendors, our nation and the world.

Reports To: Program Director

Qualifications

• The director must be at least 21 years of age and have a bachelor’s degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education or a related field.
• The director must also have 18 semester or 27 quarter hours in courses related directly to childcare and/or child development from birth to age six. These qualifications may also be obtained through the completion of a credentialing program approved in accordance with the Department of Children and Family Services.
• The site director should apply for and receive a Level II Director’s credential through Gateways
• The director works under the guidelines outlined by the Program Director.
• The Site Director must be able to demonstrate the skill and competence necessary to contribute to each child’s physical, intellectual, personal, emotional, and social development. Some of these factors include:

o Emotional maturity when working with children

o Cooperation with the purposes and services of the program

o Respect for children and adults

o Flexibility, understanding and patience;

o Physical and mental health that do not interfere with childcare responsibilities

o Good personal hygiene;

o Frequent interaction with staff, children and their families;

o Listening skills, availability and responsiveness to children, staff and families

o Sensitivity to children’s, families’, and staff’s socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds and individual needs and capabilities

o Use of positive discipline and guidance techniques

o Ability to provide an environment in which children, families and staff feel comfortable, relaxed, able to take risks, are happy and involved

o Ability to manage day to day operations

o A health report is required

o A background check is required

Skill Set

• Submit all requested paperwork to the DCFS, DFSS and the delegate agency as required.
• Notify DCFS and It Takes a Village of staff changes, enrollment and child incidents
• Obtain Policy Council Approval of newly hired staff.
• Maintain an incident report binder and report appropriate cases to DCFS and DFSS.
• Monitor personnel and client files
• Act as a liaison and contact person between the site and the delegate agency to ensure that information is communicated
• Complete a monthly inspection of the center as well as weekly playground inspections and report repairs needed to the Program Director.
• Ensure that all aspects of the center are in compliance with DCFS, DFSS and NAEYC standards.
• Notify parents of emergency situations
• Organize and facilitate staff trainings and bi-monthly meetings (teachers, assistants, aides, maintenance staff, cooks)
• Provide ongoing trainings regarding DCFS and HS standards
• Oversee and be available to provide and receive feedback from: family support, mental health, educational coordinator, nutritionist, health consultant, ERSEA and disabilities)
• Ensure that all staff is registered in the Gateways system
• Maintain binders in all pertinent HS content areas.
• Plan and facilitate monthly parent meetings
• Attend director’s meetings (all site, CPS, Ounce) and report back to the Program Director
• Willingness to complete coursework or professional developments necessary for Illinois Director’s Credential Level II.
• Ensure approved menus are distributed to classrooms along with updated allergy information.
• Ensure the cleanliness of the center; including decluttering and efficient distribution of incoming materials.
• Hire and terminate staff with the approval of a Parent Policy Committee member.
• Maintain payroll records
• Supervise children who are ill
• Supervise the cleaning and sanitizing of the center and playground equipment
• Regularly supervise staff and create action plans for improvement in conjunction with the educational coordinator and/or infant/toddler specialist.
• Assist staff in creating yearly professional development plans and provide substitutes in conjunction with the educational coordinator and/or infant/toddler specialist.
• Provide brief orientations for substitute teachers
• Offer suggestions for improvements or professional development based upon observations
• Complete at least two classroom observations per year, prior to year and share results with the educational coordinators and classroom staff prior to performance evaluations
• Work with teachers to plan activities for staff
• Participate in staffings
• Oversee the opening and closing of the center
• Be willing to work long hours when necessary
• Attend professional developments to enhance performance
• Submit a monthly director’s report to the Program Director which includes reflective supervision.

For more information on It Takes A Village Family of Schools, visit ITAVschools.org .

Pay: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: One location

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