Assistant Program Director - Head Start - YMCA of Greater Kansas City

Overview

Supports as the Education Coordinator to oversee and direct the planning, organizing, and implementation of education services for children. These services contribute to the increased social competence in children and the recognition and enhancement of families as the primary educators of their children. This position also provides coaching and mentoring to classroom associates in the area of early childhood education. The Assistant Program Director is responsible for assisting in the operations at a Head Start/Early Head Start center, ensuring regulatory and legal compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

Our Thomas Roque Early Head Start program has a current enrollment of up to 104 children in Early Head Start.  It normally operates 13 classrooms year-round and is accredited through Missouri Accreditation.

$500 Sign On Bonus*

Benefits

• Paid professional development training
• FREE Y family membership
• Opportunities for career advancement
• Medical/Vision/Dental
• Y Retirement Fund

*Sign On Bonus is for new associates and is paid in two increments after the first paycheck.

OUR CULTURE

The YMCA of Greater Kansas City’s mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. It’s who we are, who we aspire to be and how we show up every day. We are cause-driven. We don’t just show up, we show up with purpose. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you. 

Responsibilities

• Perform the functions of this position with a strong understanding of the Head Start Performance Standards; Head Start child development outcomes; and thorough knowledge and application of developmentally appropriate practices.
• Supervise all educational classroom practices - room arrangement, lesson plans, daily schedules, routines, and transitions to assure adherence to program policies and areas for growth.
• Supervise children's assessment, including observations in each area, examples of the child's work, developmental assessments, and children's assessment data entry and outcome reports.
• Ensure home visits and family conferences are completed per requirements and used to discuss the child's individual development and progress, assisting families in developing observational skills and soliciting family observations.
• Lead responsibility for family involvement in education services per HS requirements.
• Collaborate with center team on transition plans, specific literacy plans including family literacy, and orientation plans for new classroom associates.
• Coordinate transition of children to Kindergarten and assist transition of children to their next destination at the end of the season.
• Work cooperatively with other associates to plan education services integrated with health, mental health, dental health, nutrition, family involvement, and social services.
• Assist individual associates in identifying their training needs, and improving their knowledge and abilities.
• Coordinate with Program Director to meet education-related areas of state licensing, accreditation, and performance standards.
  • Schedules associates to manage associate-to child ratios within licensing standards and according to Y policies for coverage while avoiding overstaffing.
  • Assists with the upkeep of all licensing files at the assigned center.
  • Assist with the successful completion of licensing and/or accreditation renewal process.
• Assists in recruiting, interviewing, training, completing corrective actions, performance reviews and development plans on associates. Facilitate the credentialing process for associates as appropriate.
• Assess need of center for professional development based on observations and assessment of educators, review of outcomes information, and training surveys. Using this information; develop, implement, and facilitate training for the center.
• Participate in planning and facilitation of agency-wide education training.
• Participate in the development of Individual Education Plan or Individual Family Service Plan.
• Assist in recruiting and orienting volunteers, providing them with guidance as needed.
• Complete and submit required reports to the Grantee office, Delegate Director, Board of Directors, and Policy Committee in a timely and accurate fashion.
• Evaluate the performance of teaching associates and recommend subsequent personnel action to director.
• Assure that files and documentation are complete, accurate, and confidentially maintained. Attend associate training and meetings, and board and family meetings, as requested.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood education.
• Meet director licensing requirements for the state of Missouri.
• Meet MO accreditation requirements for the state of Missouri, preferred.
• Three years’ experience in a birth to five program supporting education services.
• Experience in and knowledge of adult learning styles.
• Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions and perceptions.
• Sensitivity to individuals representing a variety of family, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Able to make independent and sound decisions in a fast paced environment.
• Able to exercise high levels of discretion and confidentiality.
• Detail oriented with good organizational skills, and be multi-task proficient.
• Sensitivity to diverse learning styles and knowledge/skill levels.
• Able to listen, perceive, and interpret what others are communicating
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong computer skills with the ability to adapt to new software.