Center Manager/Family Specialist

Innovative Network of Knowledge • Cordova, AL

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Innovative Network of Knowledge (INK) is an educational nonprofit that specializes in finding and developing solutions to problems faced by teachers, administrators, parents and students in the educational community. INK provides a variety of comprehensive early childhood education and family support services thanks to strong partnerships with school districts, innovative and fun curriculums, and passionate staff dedicated to learning and academic success. Services for children and families include: Preschool, Individualized teaching, Degreed teachers, Bilingual services, Social services, Parent trainings, Meals and snacks, Disability services, Dental exams, Mental wellness, Health services, Field trips.

Requirements

• Experience in licensed childcare center.
• Associate degree, CDA, certificate or credential in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or related field within 18 months of hire.
• MUST obtain within the first 6 months of hire: CPR/First Aid certification, 80 hours CDA coursework in infant/toddler or preschool (if no CDA), and pass the Center Director Initial Child Care Training 25 Hours Course for Alabama (cdastars.com).
• Experience working with diverse families in low-income communities.
• Experience in education and/or early childhood programs.
• Valid driver’s license and work eligibility status.
• Pass a criminal and driving background check.
• Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or Early Childhood Education
• Bilingual (Spanish)
• Three (3) years of case management experience

Responsibilities

• Ensure staff, consultants, contractors, and volunteers protect the physical and mental health and safety of our children and no child is left alone or unsupervised while under our care in your facility.
• Train, manage, and evaluate program personnel to support individual staff professional development and continuous program quality improvement.
• Manage the delivery of high-quality program services that comply with state and federal standards through implementation, monitoring, and feedback of program policies and procedures.
• Monitor compliance of record-keeping systems for all physical and electronic program files (e.g., personnel, client, accounting, and incident records), including compliance with confidentiality.
• Ensure center staff (including contractors) follow appropriate practices to keep children safe during all activities, including reporting at a minimum suspected or known child abuse and neglect, appropriate supervision of children at all times, and all standards of conduct.
• Track and monitor child outcomes and quality assessment results on a center-wide basis, including compliance with positive adult-child interactions as measured by the CLASS: Pre-K instrument.
• Support staff development, including completion of minimum training requirements as specified in state and federal standards, continuing professional development, and staff wellness initiatives.
• Monitor and address attendance for each assigned child, to include direct contact with parents and intensive case management.
• Engage families in a partnership that identifies needs, interests, strengths, goals, and services and resources that support family well-being, including safety, health, and economic stability.
• Determine, verify, and document eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance (ERSEA) of program participants in accordance with agency and federal policy, protocols, and regulations.
• Participate in recruitment efforts designed to actively inform families with eligible children in the service area—specifically children with disabilities and other vulnerable or disproportionately impacted children— of available Head Start services and assist them with the application process.
• Comply with established selection criteria and ensure program compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
• Ensure assigned program maintains its funded enrollment level, including filling slots within 30 days of vacancy.
• Collaborate with families in the families’ preferred language (or through an interpreter) to engage them in a family partnership process that identifies needs, interests, strengths, goals, and services and resources that support family well-being, including family safety, health, and economic stability.
• Meet with families to establish Family Service Plans (FSP) and review individual progress, evaluate/revise goals, and provide resource referrals based on the urgency and intensity of identified needs and goals as applicable.
• Coordinate new and existing community referrals to maximize resources and avoid duplication of effort or services as applicable.
• Ensure physical and electronic child files are current and organized.
• Monitor facility to be certain it is free from physical and environmental hazards.
• Report incidents within the timeframes designated in program policy and protocol.
• Establish weekly staff meetings to ensure effective command, control, and coordination.
• Prepare and submit reports prior to deadlines.
• Provide timely communication as the first point of contact for the Head Start center for center personnel, support staff, families, and community partners.
• Analyze program and child data and make program development recommendations to program leadership team.
• Participate in program efforts and events designed to actively inform, recruit, and engage families with eligible and/or enrolled children in the service area.
• Identify and promote opportunities for parents to participate in parenting and professional skills development, including opportunities to participate in the Head Start program as volunteers or employees.
• Participate in the development and implementation of family and community engagement activities and special events.
• Ensure teachers understand, generate and document in-kind contributions from parents and others and other allowable costs applied toward the non-federal share requirement.
• Support development of community and self-assessment, grant applications, budgets, and required reports in accordance with INK and Office of Head Start timelines and criteria for composition.
• Center needs are met, including but not limited to orders, inventory, and maintenance.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.

Benefits

• EEO Statement In accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable federal and state laws (e.g., the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity and treat all employees equally regardless of race, religion, national origin, color, sex, or any other classification made unlawful or prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws, such as age, citizenship status, veteran or military status, or disability. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree