Regional Area Director

Arizona Department of Administration•Peoria, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

FIRST THINGS FIRST (ARIZONA EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND HEALTH BOARD) IS AN ESSENTIAL LEADER AND PARTNER IN CREATING A FAMILY-CENTERED, EQUITABLE, HIGH-QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEM THAT SUPPORTS THE DEVELOPMENT, WELL-BEING, HEALTH AND EARLY EDUCATION OF ALL ARIZONA’S CHILDREN, BIRTH TO AGE 5. CREATED BY VOTER INITIATIVE IN 2006, FIRST THINGS FIRST IS GOVERNED BY A STATE BOARD WITH 28 REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP COUNCILS. FIRST THINGS FIRST IS A DECENTRALIZED ORGANIZATION THAT ENGAGES DIVERSE CONSTITUENCIES TO ACCOMPLISH ITS MISSION. ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES INCLUDE A COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION; A FOCUS ON ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY, COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION; AND AN EMPHASIS ON THE OUTCOMES THAT WILL ENSURE YOUNG CHILDREN START KINDERGARTEN HEALTHY AND READY TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL AND IN LIFE.

Requirements

Demonstrate progressively-responsible leadership positions in public, private and/or non-profit organizations.
Possess an understanding of how to effectively support and supervise staff members and collaborate as part of cross-departmental or cross-regional teams.
Experience in working effectively with volunteers to achieve identified outcomes.
Knowledge of issues, programs and policy related to the early childhood system.
Demonstrated ability to develop strategic plans and work with cross-functional internal teams to develop, implement, and monitor regional strategies and initiatives that impact tribal communities.
Ability to monitor, analyze, synthesize and report complicated data to diverse audiences.
Exhibit highly developed interpersonal relations skills, demonstrating ability to effectively articulate and rally support to achieve identified goals.
Outstanding oral and written communications skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly and succinctly to diverse audiences.
Familiarity with the Maricopa Regional Area Team, which includes the following four regions that make up the area: East Maricopa, Northwest Maricopa, Southeast Maricopa and Southwest Maricopa.
Ability to travel, including overnight stays.
Regular in-person participation at meetings held outside the immediate service area.
Driver’s License Requirements (if driving is an essential function).
Must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in early education, social work, education, health, public administration or other related fields.
Background leading or serving community-based boards of directors.
An understanding of how to work effectively in tribal communities and respect tribal sovereignty.

Responsibilities

Management and oversight of the day-to-day operations of the Maricopa Regional Area Team, which includes the following four regions: East Maricopa, Northwest Maricopa, Southeast Maricopa and Southwest Maricopa.
Ensure the efficient operation of the four regional partnership councils and associated programs under the responsibility of the position.
Develop and implement strategic long-range plans that support advancing the early childhood system in the regional area.
Coordinate and work with community leaders, local, state, tribal and federal government officials, private entities and faith-based groups to improve the quality and access to early childhood programs to effectively prepare children to start school ready to learn.
Supervise the East Maricopa, Northwest Maricopa, Southeast Maricopa and Southwest Maricopa Regional Specialists and the Administrative Specialist III as direct reports to support each regional council and the overall organizational efforts.
Work in close partnership with other Regional Area Directors, the Tribal Area Regional Director, Tribal Regional Specialists and cross-departmentally to coordinate efforts.
Provides leadership and manages the activities and staff of the regional area team.
Effectively leads and oversees the core functions of the regional councils, including effective communication and overall community engagement efforts; regional council engagement, development and governance; strategic planning and implementation; system building and data analysis.
Responsible for supervising a regional team with multiple team members, located in multiple communities.
Support four regional councils, including East Maricopa, Northwest Maricopa, Southeast Maricopa and Southwest Maricopa, and the 11 volunteer members on each regional council in meeting FTF statutory requirements.
Plan and prepare for regional partnership council meetings, committees of the regional partnership council or community meetings; abide by the Open Meeting Law and ensure meeting objectives are met while utilizing appropriate interpersonal skills to effectively facilitate meetings with culturally diverse populations.
Facilitate FTF’s Regional Strategic Planning process with the regional partnership councils and community stakeholders to create a multi-year strategic plan, with annual funding plans, that reflects regional and tribal priorities in alignment with FTF’s strategic direction.
Plan for and support the initial and ongoing development of regional council members so they can fulfill their roles and responsibilities more effectively.
Identifies and recruits new council members.
Develop an organized, interrelated network of elements, programs and services that work together for all children.
Identify opportunities to leverage resources, infrastructure, capacity building and political relationships in the region.
Provide leadership, coordination and collaboration with various early childhood development and health organizations, agencies and community partners in the development and/or support for the local early childhood system in alignment with statewide efforts.
Identify key issues and topics and present this information using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.
Evaluates and interprets available information and resources to develop effective and viable recommendations or solutions.
Clearly convey information and ideas through a variety of methods to individuals or groups in a manner that helps them understand and retain the information/message, while engaging diverse audiences.
Utilize strong supervisory skills to lead, coach, inform and mentor staff to foster individual and team professional development.
Develop and inspire regional team members to be successful in their roles.
Responsible for day-to-day operations such as maintaining internal fiscal budgets and promoting sound fiscal practices for the regional area.
Collaborate with internal colleagues across the organizational departments to support the mission and vision of FTF.
Oversee the strategic planning and implementation process by supporting and coaching regional coordinators in their work with regional council members and community stakeholders.
Understand and respect tribal sovereignty, including following tribal protocols and procedures to advance early childhood services and programs funded by the regional partnership councils.
As assigned, will assist with some aspects of the regional council member appointment process from recruitment to onboarding of new and/or returning members.
Use systems thinking approaches to engage staff, regional council members, local community members and organizations in collaborative efforts that lead to systems change.
Lead a team that conducts coordination and collaboration efforts with local and statewide partners, including public, private and tribal.
Performs duties in a manner that supports the First Things First internal culture and mission with respect and cooperation.
Supports additional opportunities as related to the role and regional area functions.