Head Start Director

Omaha Tribe of Nebraska•Macy, NE

About The Position

The Head Start Director provides executive leadership, planning, administration, and oversight of the Omaha Tribe Head Start and Early Head Start Program. The Director leads program operations, personnel, budgets, federal grant compliance, and continuous quality improvement to ensure comprehensive, culturally responsive services for children, pregnant women, and families. The role works collaboratively with tribal leadership, the governing body, the Policy Council, Omaha Nation Public School, families, and community partners to meet the Head Start Program Performance Standards and approved program goals. The Director oversees program planning and implementation, fiscal management, grant applications and reporting, staffing, management systems, monitoring, enrollment, school readiness, education, health, nutrition, safety, family engagement, transitions, facilities, and community partnerships. The position also supports tribal language and cultural revitalization through culturally responsive planning and collaboration. A bachelor's degree and experience in staff supervision, fiscal management, and program administration are required. Experience in early childhood education, federally funded programs, tribal administration, or Head Start/Early Head Start is preferred.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Experience in staff supervision, fiscal management, and program administration.
Demonstrated ability to oversee complex programs, manage budgets, supervise staff, and ensure regulatory compliance.
Meet the qualifications and competencies applicable to program management under §1302.91 and the Head Start Act.
Valid Nebraska driver's license and insurability.
Current CPR and First Aid certification, or ability to obtain certification within the timeframe required by the program for assigned duties.
Successful completion of required background checks and applicable pre-employment screening in accordance with tribal policy and federal and state law.
Knowledge of the Head Start Act, Head Start Program Performance Standards, applicable federal grant requirements, and tribal policies and procedures.
Strong skills in budget preparation, fiscal monitoring, grants management, reporting, and internal controls.
Ability to lead, supervise, mentor, evaluate, and develop multidisciplinary teams.
Ability to interpret regulations, policies, program data, financial reports, and monitoring findings and translate them into corrective action.
Ability to develop strategic plans, set measurable goals, and manage continuous quality improvement.
Knowledge of early childhood development, inclusive education, family engagement, child health and safety, and culturally responsive services.
Ability to establish positive working relationships with families, the Policy Council, governing body, tribal leadership, schools, and community partners.
Strong written and oral communication, public presentation, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency with office technology, data systems, spreadsheets, and electronic reporting.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment, integrity, and professional ethics.

Nice To Haves

Experience in early childhood education, federally funded programs, tribal administration, or Head Start/Early Head Start.

Responsibilities

Direct and coordinate Head Start and Early Head Start planning, program design, implementation, and daily operations consistent with approved grants and community needs.
Prepare, administer, monitor, and revise program budgets; oversee allowable expenditures, fiscal controls, procurement, and timely financial reporting in coordination with fiscal staff and tribal administration.
Prepare and submit grant applications, continuation and refunding requests, program reports, and other required submissions to the Office of Head Start and tribal authorities.
Provide the governing body and Policy Council with timely and accurate program, financial, enrollment, and monitoring information.
Supervise, coach, evaluate, and support coordinators, supervisors, and other assigned staff; establish performance expectations and corrective action plans when needed.
Participate in recruitment, interviews, hiring recommendations, orientation, and personnel decisions in accordance with tribal policies and Policy Council responsibilities.
Ensure staff qualifications, background checks, professional development, and training meet applicable requirements; promote staff wellness and retention.
Establish and maintain management systems, internal communication, recordkeeping, data quality, ongoing monitoring, and annual self-assessment processes.
Develop and monitor program and school readiness goals; use child, family, fiscal, and operational data to identify concerns, implement improvements, and report progress.
Oversee eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance systems, including outreach to families with the greatest need and efforts to maintain funded enrollment.
Ensure developmentally appropriate curriculum, teaching practices, screenings, assessments, and individualized learning supports are implemented and monitored.
Ensure inclusion and full participation of children with disabilities and collaborate with local education agencies and early intervention partners regarding IEPs and IFSPs.
Oversee comprehensive child health, oral health, nutrition, mental health, and safety services, including emergency procedures and required family communication.
Monitor nutritious meals, menu planning, food purchasing, and nutrition program operations for quality, safety, and budget accountability.
Promote family engagement, family partnership services, parent committees, and effective community partnerships.
Coordinate transitions between Early Head Start, Head Start Preschool, and kindergarten, and ensure appropriate services to enrolled pregnant women where applicable.
Maintain collaborative relationships with Omaha Nation Public School and other providers to coordinate educational resources, personnel, transitions, and related services.
Ensure facilities, equipment, classrooms, playgrounds, transportation arrangements, and learning materials are safe, appropriate, and maintained in accordance with requirements.
Authorize program purchases and expenditures within delegated authority and approved budgets, following tribal and federal procurement requirements.
Support preservation and revitalization of tribal language and culture through culturally responsive program planning and community collaboration.
Coordinate staff training, in-service activities, special projects, and approved summer activities.
Provide classroom or operational assistance when necessary while maintaining required supervision, staff-child ratios, and safety practices.
Communicate with tribal officials, families, employees, federal representatives, and community organizations; respond promptly to concerns and compliance findings.
Perform other duties as assigned consistent with the position and program requirements.