Tuscarora Intermediate Unit invites applicants for our Senior Manager of Early Childhood Services position, located at Juniata County Early Childhood Services in Mifflintown, PA.  To apply for this position, please complete an application on our website at http://www.tiu11.org. 

This position will have direct administration, supervision, and oversight for the delivery of early education services as provided through Head Start and Pre-K Counts. The work will focus on the services as provided to children and families through the center based model. This position will work in coordination and collaboration with the Senior Manager for Family and Community Engagement Services to ensure continuity and consistency in the total delivery of comprehensive services to all enrolled children and their families. Will work to ensure the Education and Child Development and Health services systems are operated and in line with the Head Start Program Performance Standards, the Head Start Act, and OCDEL Pre-K Counts Standards.

Fundamental Duties/Essential Functions
Duties of the position are described in major functional areas listed below. Additional duties may be assigned.
Program Planning and Implementation
1. Stays up-to-date on all aspects of the Head Start Program Performance Standards, Head Start Act, all state regulations under the Office of Child Development and Early Learning and related regulations and how to implement them.
2. Assist in developing goals and measurable objectives within the area of education and health. Evaluate the outcomes according to these objectives as developed for each program as required by federal and state regulations.
3. Work with education and health specialists to ensure that policy and program practices are developed and maintained to guide and support staff in delivery of early education services per federal, state, and local regulations.
4. Works jointly and in collaboration with the Senior Manager for Family and Community Engagement Services to ensure parents are actively involved in all aspects of the programs.
5. Prepares and submits program performance and statistical reports to the director.
6. Responsible to assist and support the self-assessment process and completion of a continuous quality improvement (CQI) plan.
7. Work to integrate the program’s school readiness goals into all aspects of programs and services.
8. Support the implementation of a coaching system as set-up and designed by the Early Childhood Specialists.
9. Ensures compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal contracts, surveys and licensures as appropriate for Head Start and other state contracts.
10. Supervises and participates in quality assurance activities to ensure quality of services and maintenance of standards of performance to include regular program evaluation and related surveys, maintaining statistical records and documentation.
11. Facilitates a team approach to management ensuring a favorable work climate and timely completion of all requirements.
12. Prepares and submits timely and accurate reports to the Policy Council,
13. Invites participation by Policy Council members for appropriate tasks and demonstrates active communication regarding all program items.
14. Receives and responds to parent and community complaints/grievances about the program.
15. Participates in the community assessment process (only where applicable).
16. Assists in the overall agency career development and T/TA plans.
17. Works in collaboration with other managers/specialists on the leadership team to facilitate project work and to ensure completion of joint projects.
18. Works with the Early Childhood Specialists to ensure that all Head Start/Early Head Start facilities meet the standard requirements.
19. Utilizes program’s data information system(s) to inform decision-making and support respective specialists with use of data.
20. Attends any meetings deemed necessary by director.
21. Performs other duties as assigned.

Budget and Fiscal
1. Identifies and pursues potential additional funding sources, grants, and local monies to support program activities as appropriate.
2. Understands, generates, and documents in-kind and other allowable costs applied toward the non-federal share requirement.
3. Ensures the purchasing of materials and supplies to support the education and health services is in accordance with federal and state regulations.
4. Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervision and Training
1. Attend child staffings for Head Start and Pre-K Counts.
2. Participates in regularly scheduled leadership and management team meetings.
3. Assist other service area managers in providing guidance to staff directly and indirectly as related to their job descriptions, the performance standards, or job priorities, etc.
4. Recruits and discharges staff in partnership with the managers/specialists/supervisors after discussion with the director and following federal guidelines and TIU Special Project Handbook.
5. Assist director with the assignment of responsibilities to the Administrative staff.
6. Oversees ongoing training in policies, procedures, and program requirements to staff.
7. Oversees orientation and pre-service training to new staff in conjunction with the staff person responsible for personnel as well as the supervisor of the position.
8. Participate in all training and professional development activities as required under the Head Start Program Performance Standards, the Head Start Act, OCDEL, and as planned for by the program.
9. Performs other duties as assigned.

Early Childhood Education Services
1. Supervise and monitor the early childhood education services as provided by Head Start and Pre-K Counts.
2. Creates and maintains a regular schedule to meet and support the Early Childhood Specialists.
3. Ensures the Early Childhood Specialists are adhering and following the required regulations that are set for both the Head Start and Pre-K Counts grants.
4. Supports the use and implementation of screening and assessment tools that are appropriate for the program needs.
5. Supports the use of a curriculum that is best suited for the needs of the program and ensures staff receive appropriate training relative to the curriculum.
6. Tracks and monitors the referral process for any child identified with a suspected delay or referral for early intervention or mental health services.
7. Knowledgeable of the Pre-K Counts Regulations, PA Early Learning Standards, Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and any other applicable federal and state regulations.
8. Supports the development of a school readiness framework and objectives to promote children’s abilities to be ready for school.
9. Direct supervision of the Interpretative Services Staff to coordinate the work schedule for delivery of interpretive and translation support both for center- and home-based services.
10. Assist with the selection and interviewing of staff to support the education staff.
11. Oversee the delivery of mental health services through the program’s mental health consultant and use of community-based service providers
12. Support the implementation for coaching by the Early Childhood Specialists in order to enhance and promote the development of high quality teaching practices.
13. Performs other duties as assigned.

Health Services
1. Supervise and monitor the health services as provided by Head Start and Pre-K Counts.
2. Creates and maintains a regular schedule to meet and support the Health Manager and Nutrition Specialist.
3. Ensures the Health Manager and Nutrition Specialist is adhering and following the required regulations that are set for both the Head Start and Pre-K Counts grants.
4. Monitors the delivery of health services to ensure all health screenings are completed by the expected time frames as determined by federal and state regulations.
5. Direct supervision of the Education and Health Services Assistant to support the timely completion of developmental, hearing and vision screenings.
6. Assist with the development of policies related to health and safety in the programs.
7. Supports and monitors the delivery of food services as provided through the CACFP program.
8. Performs other duties assigned.

Relationship with Policy Council and Agency Board
1. Attends and supports all parents and community representative at all Policy Council meetings.
2. Keeps Policy Council informed of general program operations and requests their input and action as required by Head Start Program Performance Standards.
3. Provides or oversees orientation and pre-service training to new Policy Council members.
4. Performs other duties as assigned.

Standards of Conduct
By signing this job description, I agree to abide by the following Standards of Conduct as outlined in Head Start Program Performance Standards 1302.90 (c):
1. I agree to not use corporal punishment.
2. I agree to not use isolation to discipline a child.
3. I agree to not bind or tie a child to restrict movement or tape a child’s mouth.
4. I agree to not use or withhold food as a punishment or reward.
5. I agree to not use toilet learning/training methods that punish, demean, or humiliate a child
6. I agree to not use any form of emotional abuse, including public or private humiliation, rejecting, terrorizing, extended ignoring, or corrupting a child.
7. I agree to not physically abuse a child.
8. I agree to not use any form of verbal abuse, including profane, sarcastic language, threats, or derogatory remarks about the child or child’s family.
9. I agree to not use physical activity or outdoor time as a punishment or reward.
10. I agree to respect and promote the unique identity of each child and family and refrain from stereotyping on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, disability, sexual orientation or family composition.
11. I agree to follow program confidentiality policies concerning information about children, families, and other staff members.
12. I agree to never leave a child alone or unsupervised while under my care.
I understand that in addition to the above Standards of Conduct, there is a professional conduct policy contained in the TIU Special Project Handbook, and that violation of any of these Policies and Procedures or Standards can result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of my employment with the Tuscarora Intermediate Unit.

Statement of Understanding
I have read and understand the above position description. I assert that I am able to perform the essential job functions, meet the physical requirements of this position, and satisfy the expectation for regular attendance.