Muskegon Area Intermediate School District

Job Description

JOB TITLE: Center Director I, Early Childhood

CLASSIFICATION: Professional

REPORTS TO: Director – Early Childhood Services

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:
All candidates must apply online at www.muskegonisd.org/jobs/.

TERMS:
This position is a 260 total paid days position offering full family medical, dental, and vision benefits. Dental, vision, and life insurance are paid by the district at no cost to the employee. Vacation, personal business days, holidays and sick time paid. Retirement through the Office of Retirement Services (Pension Plus or Defined Contribution).

SALARY RANGE:
This position is on the Early Childhood Center Scale that is grant funded, $85870.304 per year. Due to grant funding, there are no negotiations available on this annual rate.

GENERAL JOB FUNCTION:

The Center Director manages the pre-school programs (Head Start and Great Start Readiness Program) in assigned building(s). Responsibilities include management of assigned pre-school classrooms, center staff supervision, grant management, and child care license administration. The Director ensures compliance with all relevant program standards and high-quality early childhood development services.

RESPONSIBLE: Typical assignment for this classification is 9 or more classrooms.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Possession of a Bachelor’s degree or higher in early childhood education or a related field. Coursework in child care administration preferred.
At least five years of successful experience working in early childhood program(s).
Leadership skills to coordinate a diverse set of service providers and local partner school districts and agencies to best serve young children and families. The ability to work and communicate effectively with staff, agency representatives, administrators, parents, and young children.
Knowledge of Head Start and Great Start Readiness Program regulations. Experience preferred in having past managerial experience of such program(s).
Knowledge of and working relationship with local community service agencies.
No physical or mental restrictions that would, with reasonable accommodation, prevent performance of the essential job functions and responsibilities.
Successful pre-employment physical exam including tuberculosis screening and criminal background records check.

PREFERRED COMPETENCIES: A MAISD Administrative employee skillfully demonstrates:

Understanding the Organization

● Keeping up with policies, practices and trends

● Understands the meaning and implications of key financial indicators, integrates quantitative and qualitative information to draw accurate conclusions

Making Complex Decisions

● Considers all relevant factors and uncovers root causes to difficult problems

● Understands internal and external stakeholder requirements, expectations and needs, and can prioritize the use of resources in an equitable manner

● Considers cultural and ethical factors in the decision making process

Taking Initiative

● Readily takes action on challenges

● Identifies and seizes new opportunities

Building Collaborative Relationships

● Gains the confidence and trust of others easily

Being Authentic

● Provides affirmation, recognition and celebrates success

● Keeps confidences and builds trust

Directs Work

● Provides clear expectations and appropriate feedback

● Encourages diverse thinking to promote and nurture innovation

● Intervenes as needed to remove obstacles

Communicates Effectively

● Attentively listens to others

● Articulates messages in a way that is broadly understandable

● Adjusts communication content and style to meet the needs of diverse stakeholders

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Management of center staff.
Works effectively as a member of the Early Childhood Center team to educate children, engage families, enhance school readiness, and provide for a safe, secure and nurturing environment.
Ensures compliance with myriad of program regulations for Head Start and Great Start Readiness Program, including coordinating an ongoing monitoring system.
Compliance with State of Michigan child care license requirements.
Oversight of center enrollment & education of children.
Management of annual center budget.
Daily building management.
Liaison with community service agencies serving center’s parents and children.
Effective working relationship with center’s parents and children.
Prepares and coordinates all necessary reports, files, forms and records.
Makes recommendations to Director regarding ongoing program improvement.
Upholds the Head Start Code of Conduct.
Performs such other tasks and assumes other responsibilities as may be assigned.

NOTABLE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Sitting 7-8 hours a day possible. Driving up to 3 hours per week. Standing, walking, squatting, twisting, and bending. Occasionally required to lift up to 30 pounds.

TYPICAL WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Most work is performed at the early childhood center location.

EVALUATION:

Employees in this classification are evaluated prior to the completion of probationary status and according to Board policy thereafter.

TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS:

Occasional local and non-local travel.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Commensurate with MAISD wage and benefit schedule.

It is the policy of the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District that no staff member, candidate for employment, program participant, or recipient of services shall experience discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation or transgender identity) disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category (collectively "Protected Classes”), in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities. Inquiries related to issues of discrimination on the basis of disability should be directed to the Director for Special Education at (231) 767-7249. All other discrimination inquiries or requests for special accommodations to participate in a program, event, or activity should be directed to the Associate Superintendent for Human Services at (231) 767-7213.