Education Director - Head Start

Role Description: Head Start Education Director Supervisor: Head Start Director Hours: 35 Hours per week FLSA: Exempt Status: Full-Time, Non-Union Location: Somerville, MA Salary: $80,000 OVERVIEW The Community Action Agency of Somerville, known as CAAS, is changing lives for our community members who are furthest from opportunity. For over 40 years, we have been helping local families and individuals achieve financial security while working to eliminate the root causes of economic injustice. Our largest offering, Head Start, is a free preschool program that promotes school readiness. We offer comprehensive developmental preschool and wraparound services to ~275 low-income, culturally diverse children and their families each year in Somerville and Cambridge. Our six centers are fully open for in-person learning. Our Head Start program is integrated with our Housing Advocacy, Tenant Organizing, and Income Maximization programs to provide a full suite of anti-poverty services. We are proud to be a source of stability and support for our community. WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE We have a highly dedicated, seasoned team and an organizational structure that allows us to support our clients holistically. The Head Start Leadership team is highly collaborative and includes leaders with expertise in family engagement, health and nutrition, disabilities, and teaching and learning. We have a generous budget for professional development and a mindset of saying “yes” to whatever will help us better serve low-income children and families of Somerville and Cambridge. The person who joins our team will interact with a supportive director, peer leaders, and a committed group of coordinators and educators with a shared mission. ABOUT THE EDUCATION DIRECTOR ROLE The Education Director is an important leadership role at CAAS that comes with significant influence and support from our knowledgeable and well-resourced team. Reporting to the Head Start Director, the overarching mission for this leader is to ensure that our Head Start program provides a quality, comprehensive developmental preschool experience to each child. Specific responsibilities of the Education Director include: - Oversee the delivery of a quality preschool educational experience in all CAAS Head Start classrooms. Ensure child development and education performance standards are implemented across all Centers in alignment with local, state, and federal regulations. - Supervise the Education Coordinator who carries out child development and school readiness goals, objectives, and requirements relating to teaching and learning. - Provide direct supervision to Center Directors; oversee supervision of center staff (Lead Teachers, Teachers, Substitutes, Interns, and Volunteers). - Manage and coordinate the work of the education administration team to ensure clear, consistent communication to teaching staff around expectations, timelines, and sources of support. - Oversee the development of individual and/or team professional development plans for teaching staff by supporting the Center Directors in identifying PD needs and resources, and approving individual plans. - Conduct annual performance evaluations of direct supervisees; oversee the annual performance evaluations of teaching staff by collaborating with Center Directors and Education Coordinator and approving final evaluations. - Ensure all centers maintain EEC licensing by collaborating with the Facilities Manager, and delegating certain tasks to Center Directors and teachers. - Collaborate with the Head Start Director and “peer” directors who also sit on the Leadership team: Supportive Services (health, nutrition, mental health, and disabilities) and Family Services. Communicate and share insight with one another toward our objectives of supporting and empowering low-income, culturally diverse families in Somerville and Cambridge. - Ensure the involvement of children with disabilities and dual language learners by liaising with Supportive Services and Family Services staff to ensure delivery of appropriate, inclusive services, including from external partners. - Improve and expand on program goals by regularly reviewing data with the Head Start Director. Actively seek out and document ways to make the program even more effective and efficient for children and families. Partner with the leadership team to organize professional development and technical assistance in targeted, high-value areas based on data and feedback. - Identify opportunities for student enrichment through community partnerships. Build relationships with local businesses and nonprofits and engage the Leadership team as appropriate to implement simple, meaningful partnerships that support child development goals. - Develop and maintain professional expertise by participating in communities of practice around Head Start and early childhood education. Attend meetings, conferences, and training, pending funding. - Participate as a member of the Head Start Leadership Team by carrying out the mission of CAAS and the Head Start Program. - Ensure CAAS’s flexibility in responding to the needs of low-income and minority families in Somerville and Cambridge by performing other duties as assigned. THE IDEAL CANDIDATE The ideal candidate has direct experience in an early childhood setting, excellent supervisory skills, and a deep passion and commitment to ensuring a high-quality educational experience for CAAS Head Start children and families. Professional Background: - Administrative experience in an early childhood and care setting - ECE classroom teaching experience - MA EEC Director qualified - BA/BS degree in Early Childhood Education or equivalent Core Competencies: - Outstanding ability to communicate with a range of internal and external stakeholders - Supervisory and coaching skills to coordinate, support, and manage the performance of direct reports - Problem-solving and organizational skills and an ability to navigate regulations related to programming and operations - Cultural competence and sensitivity to the needs of low-income and culturally, linguistic and racially diverse populations - Commitment to partnering with families in promoting school readiness - Strategic Planning, Continuously Improving Quality, Managing Change - Building Positive Relationships - Continuous professional development - Individualization Technical Competencies - Project management - Policy Development and Analysis - Hiring/Onboarding/Training/Monitoring/Supervising - Data analysis - Proficiency in basic computer skills and the ability to learn new software Personal Characteristics: - An unwavering commitment to providing an equitable educational experience for children and families of Cambridge and Somerville - An obsession with clear and timely two-way communication and follow-throughwith educators and families - A collaborative spirit and desire to share ideas and problem-solve as part of a Leadership Team Preferred qualifications: - Experience with Head Start programs and familiarity with - Supervisory experience in a preschool or early childhood setting - A relevant graduate degree - Ability to speak a second language LOCATION AND TRAVEL: The Education Director will work from the CAAS Administrative office in Somerville, MA and must have their own transportation for regular visits to our six Head Start centers in Somerville and Cambridge. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. COMPENSATION: CAAS offers competitive compensation for this position plus an attractive benefits package, which includes medical, dental, retirement, and other benefits, and a collaborative, committed team of colleagues. TO APPLY: The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For best consideration, please submit a cover letter and resume to apapit@caasomerville.org NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT: No person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be discriminated against by this program, including in employment, because of race, religion, sex, national origin, immigration status, cultural heritage, age, disability, sexual orientation, or marital status.