Children and Family Services: Center Director 110 views

Spanish Speaking Unity Council is looking for Children and Family Services: Center Director

About:

The Unity Council is a non-profit Social Equity Development Corporation with a 50-year history in the Fruitvale neighbourhood of Oakland. Our mission is to promote social equity and improve quality of life by building vibrant communities where everyone can work, learn, and thrive.

Our programs aim to provide the community with the tools, knowledge, and resources to transform their lives and ultimately achieve their long-term educational, career, and financial goals. These holistic programs and services reach more than 8,000 individuals and families annually in five languages. Programs include early childhood education, youth mentorship and leadership development, employment services, career readiness training, housing and financial stability, senior citizen services, affordable housing and neighbourhood development, and arts and cultural events. Our work expands beyond the Fruitvale district and now reaches across Oakland and into Concord. The Unity Council employs a diverse workforce of more than 250 people who reflect the linguistic, cultural, and ethnic identity of the communities we serve.

Location: USA

Job Type: Full-time

Reports To: School Readiness Coordinator

Schedule: Monday through Friday

Benefits:

Two weeks of paid vacation a year, sick time, 13 holidays, up to five floating holidays based on employee status, medical and dental benefits on the first of the month following 30 days of employment, life insurance policy at no cost to employee (with the option of increasing policy amount), flexible spending account for medical and dependent care costs, commuter benefits, 403(b) with employer match, and other benefits.

We foster a joyful workplace and offer opportunities for professional development and growth.

Position Summary:

Under direction, plans, develops, implements and supervises program operations for an assigned Head Start and Early Head Start (EHS) centre; monitors and ensures centre operations are in conformance with Unity Council policies and procedures, licensing regulations, Health and Safety Standards and service area plans. Participates in implementation of age-appropriate curriculum and ongoing monitoring of children’s cognitive and physical development. Monitors and ensures recruitment and enrolment activities, family development plans and parent participation and overall parent satisfaction. Ensures data entry of all education events are uploaded on to the various electronic platforms. Coordinates and participates in activities of parent committees; compiles and submits site reports; and performs related duties as assigned.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain high quality classroom environments that meet or exceed the national average.
• Ensure that classroom activities and lesson plans reflect and include all Head Start/Early Head Start/State Preschool Program services, including education, health, nutrition, mental health, social services, parent involvement, disabilities and transitions.
• Monitor and supervise all teachers in the classrooms and all activities in the center
• Provide regular breaks for teachers and serve in the classroom as needed.
• Work with teachers on organizing and setting up classroom environment designed to meet the developmental needs of the children.
• Provide site orientation and on-site supervision to staff, volunteers, and substitute teachers; assign and schedule the work of staff and volunteers; ensure that daily staffing requirements and child/staff ratios are always met.
• Monitor and review staff performance; provide guidance, support and counseling on performance issues to staff; ensure ongoing professional development through education, mentoring, and providing training and resources. Create professional development plans and evaluations for teachers
• Conduct and monitor developmental screenings and assessments, write observations, and devise Individual Development Plans (IDP) or Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP) on all children enrolled in the program; assist in developing Individual Education Plans (IEP) for special needs children review IDP’s and IEP’s or IFSP’s prepared by staff; provide written referrals.
• Ensure all DRDPs are completed in a timely manner and support teachers by assisting in the development of individual portfolios using the Learning Genie and Child plus system
• Maintain a clean and organized indoor and outdoor environment, including food service areas; maintain safe standards for use and storage of equipment and supplies; maintain inventory of centre supplies.
• Ensure overall program compliance with department policies and procedures, Early Head Start (EHS) and/or Head Start Program Performance Standards and Regulations, CA Department of Education, Child Development Division funding terms and conditions, Title 5 regulations and Title 22 Community Care Licensing regulations.
• Conduct outreach and recruit children and families for enrolment in the Early Head Start, Head Start, or State Preschool program(s) as needed and in collaboration with the FCP Coordinator; encourage and involve parents as volunteers in the classroom.
• Develop and maintain required reports, records, files and documents as determined by Early Head Start/Head Start policies and procedures; ensure all records, including employee, children and family records, are accurate, up-to-date, and kept confidential.
• Use the various technological platforms, of ChildPlus, Learning Genie, Teaching Strategies Cloud, etc. to ensure all information for educational events are uploaded, reflected and managed.
• Conduct monthly parent meetings in collaboration with Family Advocates and FCP Coordinator;
• Complete a minimum of 21 hours of Professional Development annually
• Other duties as assigned by management

Qualifications:

• 3-5 years of experience in early childhood education, Head Start experience preferred
• 2 years working experience as a supervisor
• Ability to model play-based, child-centered curriculum
• Experience and knowledge of Early Childhood Programming
• Good writing ability and experience in program-related materials
• Caring, compassionate approach to working with children and families
• Familiarity with administrative procedures
• Ability to work harmoniously in a diverse team
• Knowledge of workplace safety rules regarding lifting, general safety, and utilizing preventative health measures to prevent the spread of disease
• Bilingual (Spanish/English and or African Languages) preferred

Requirements:

• Site Supervisor Permit or higher from Commission on Teacher Credentialing
• BA Degree in Child Development or related field preferred; or BA Degree with 15 ECE units including 9 units Core Courses and 6 Infant/Toddler Units plus Supervised Field Experience or;
• AA Degree in Child Development or related field; or AA Degree with 24 ECE units including 9 units Core Courses plus 6 units administration and 2 units adult supervision
• 6 units Infant/Toddler Care
• Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education with coursework specific to visual and sensory impairments
• Orientation and Mobility Certification via the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Educational Professionals (ACVREP)
• Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card
• Valid Arizona Special Education Teaching Certificate – Visually Impaired Special Education, Birth–Grade 12
• Master’s Degree or Ph.D. in Orientation and Mobility
• Demonstrated success in engaging African American and Latino students
• Bilingual (Spanish) endorsement
• Proof of immunity to rubeola (measles) and rubella (German measles), or proof of MMR immunization.
• Must hold a current Driver’s license and personal vehicle insurance coverage greater than or equal to the required minimum for car insurance as described under Governing Board Policy: EEB-R-1 Business and Personnel Transportation Services – Transportation by Employees unless other ADA accommodations are made through Risk Management

Essential Functions:

• Advanced computer skills with strong MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Regularly required to operate standard office equipment (personal computer, photocopier, fax, etc.)
• Regularly required to sit for long periods of time, and occasionally stand and walk.
• Regularly required to use hands to operate computer and other office equipment.
• Close vision required for computer use.

Interested candidates please apply.