Center Manager II

Tri-Valley Opportunity Council•Ada, MN

About The Position

The Center Manager leads and coordinates development of program options for a local service area, which may include Region V, Region XII, Early Head Start, and childcare or early childhood collaborations. The role is responsible for ensuring quality services for children and families in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, state regulations, and Tri-Valley policies. The Center Manager integrates services from local teams, agencies, and support services, serves as Tri-Valley’s legal representative for center activities and services funded through the corporation, and ensures center staff receive adequate supervision. The position also helps recruit potential parents by explaining program services and benefits. The Center Manager provides leadership for center planning, community assessment and relations, budgets and procurement, staffing and personnel processes, facilities and program operations, safety, communication, training, resource development, monitoring, and evaluation. The role supervises and develops staff, monitors program compliance and service quality, coordinates support for children and families, and promotes parent involvement and effective partnerships with community agencies.

Requirements

Associate degree or two years of equivalent experience in early childhood education, public or community health, social work, management, or another field directly related to the position.
One year of experience supervising two or more staff.
One year of experience in a leadership or management position.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Comfort using computers and willingness and ability to learn program-specific systems.
Proof of a valid driver’s license and current, adequate vehicle insurance coverage.
First Aid and CPR certification obtained within 90 days of hire and maintained during employment.

Responsibilities

Provide vision for the center, coordinate planning and evaluation, and develop strategies to operate and improve center programs.
Develop or approve local policies and procedures that do not conflict with program or Tri-Valley policies.
Represent the Head Start center in the community and with other agencies, support parent ownership, and consult with the center parent committee.
Ensure an annual comprehensive assessment and incorporate community assessment results into center planning.
Develop multi-program transition plans and report program concerns to the supervisor, proposing remedies and collaborating on solutions.
Maintain current community assessments for eligible populations and interview potential clients to determine eligibility and inform service planning.
Build and document partnerships with community employers, organizations, service agencies, and other Head Start grantees.
Work with the Program Design Manager and Area Manager to develop program options that meet parent and community needs.
Develop center budgets with parents and staff, manage center funds, oversee purchasing and procurement, and maintain accurate inventories and fiscal records.
Coordinate recruitment, hiring, retention, staff assignments, orientation, training, work schedules, classroom staffing patterns, and performance appraisals.
Promote positive staff relations, mediate conflicts, and ensure personnel paperwork and required training are completed.
Ensure facilities, food service, transportation, and custodial services meet program and child needs and applicable regulations.
Maintain confidentiality and follow legal and agency procedures for suspected child abuse or neglect reports.
Coordinate referrals and follow-through for unmet needs and ensure effective transitions for children and families entering or leaving the program.
Ensure requested reports, files, and other documentation are provided and maintained as required.
Obtain First Aid and CPR certification within 90 days of hire and maintain certification during employment.
Promote day-to-day communication and cooperation, coordinate integrated services and activities, and ensure parents are informed and involved.
Coordinate with partner programs, including Title 1 Migrant Education, and with non-Head Start personnel sharing the facility.
Determine, conduct, or coordinate training and technical assistance for staff and parents; maintain training materials and staff training records.
Identify and use resources to improve program services and develop knowledge of the communities served.
Observe, monitor, review, and document center compliance and progress toward goals across classroom environment, curriculum, safety, education, disability services, and health.
Identify staff training and professional development needs and provide classroom visits, training, and technical assistance.
Maintain accurate classroom education records and inventories, including child records in Child Plus.
Monitor curriculum and assessment implementation, classroom management, and teacher-child interactions in alignment with CLASS and Head Start Program Performance Standards.
Ensure staff provide quality services through training, ongoing guidance, performance feedback, annual appraisals, goal-setting, and timely attention to performance concerns.
Promote a professional, respectful, safe, and productive work environment; lead and encourage staff through challenges and change.
Plan short- and long-term goals, manage multiple projects and commitments, and ensure deadlines and quality expectations are met.