Assistant Center Manager

Community Action Agencies; Battle Creek (MI); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Action Agency South Central Michigan is seeking a Program Operations & Compliance professional to support the Center Manager in daily operations across Head Start, Early Head Start, and GSRP programs. Responsibilities include ensuring regulatory compliance, maintaining program standards, and coordinating administrative tasks, data management, and family engagement.

This role emphasizes strong leadership, collaboration with staff, and maintaining accurate records, timesheets, and

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in early childhood education or related field required.
• 1–2 years of progressive experience in supporting Head Start or similar programs.
• Strong leadership, teamwork, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications; experience with data systems (ChildPlus) preferred.
• Commitment to serving diverse populations and maintaining confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Center Manager with the day-to-day operation of the center.
• Assist the Center Manager in providing daily supervision, guidance, and support to center staff.
• Maintain regular communication with classroom and center staff.
• Assist in completing classroom observations and program monitoring activities.
• Assist with internal investigations as assigned.
• In the absence of the Center Manager, ensure accurate submission of timesheets.
• Support enrollment and recruitment for Head Start, Early Head Start, and GSRP.
• Monitor and support child transition activities and family engagement.

Skills

Leadership & team-building

Communication skills

Organization & time management

Discretion & confidentiality

Stakeholder collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Associate's degree in early childhood education or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

ChildPlus data systems

Job description

Community Action Agency South Central Michiganis an Equal Opportunity Employer (Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans). To read more about this, view the EEO - Know Your Rights poster.

Program Operations & Compliance

• Assist the Center Manager with the day-to-day operation of the center.
• Ensure compliance with Head Start, Early Head Start, GSRP, agency policies, state licensing regulations, and applicable funding requirements.
• Maintain knowledge of grant regulations, program standards, and agency procedures.
• Participate in annual program self-assessment activities and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Assist with required monitoring activities to ensure service quality and staff compliance with program regulations and agency policies.
• Coordinate and document in-kind contributions as required.
• Participate in annual classroom inventories and facility reviews.

Staff Support & Supervision

• Assist the Center Manager in providing daily supervision, guidance, and support to center staff.
• Participate with the Center Manager in determining staffing arrangements and operational needs.
• Maintain regular communication with classroom and center staff.
• Assist in completing classroom observations and program monitoring activities.
• Complete Home Visitor observations and socialization observations when delegated or in the absence of the Center Manager.
• Assist with internal investigations as assigned.
• In the absence of the Center Manager, ensure accurate and timely submission of employee timesheets.

Child & Family Services

• Support enrollment and recruitment efforts for Head Start, Early Head Start, and GSRP programs.
• Support families in accessing comprehensive services and community resources.
• Refer families to appropriate Community Action programs and external community resources.
• Monitor and support child transition activities and encourage family participation throughout the transition process.
• Assist in ensuring each child's educational needs are addressed through curriculum implementation and family engagement efforts.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate records, documentation, and reports as assigned.
• Assist with data collection, data entry, tracking, and reporting activities.
• Prepare correspondence, reports, spreadsheets, charts, and other administrative documents.
• Proofread written communications as needed.
• Produce reports and analyses as requested by supervisors.
• Answer and direct telephone calls, take messages, and provide information to families, staff, and community partners.
• Greet visitors, provide assistance, and direct inquiries appropriately.
• Assist with incoming and outgoing mail distribution and processing.

Facility & Center Operations

• Assist with maintaining the physical facility, ensuring a safe, clean, and welcoming environment.
• Support center purchasing activities for office, classroom, and facility supplies when assigned or during the Center Manager's absence.
• Keep assigned work areas clean and assist with facility inspections and housekeeping duties.
• May work at multiple sites and in various office and classroom settings.

Classroom Support

• Provide classroom assistance when needed and follow all classroom procedures, policies, and child supervision requirements.
• Support staff in maintaining a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for children.

Communication & Collaboration

• Foster effective communication among staff, families, and community partners.
• Promote teamwork and resolve conflicts using appropriate problem-solving techniques.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with individuals from diverse educational, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Attend and facilitate required meetings in accordance with agency and program requirements.

Additional Duties

• Perform other duties as assigned by the direct supervisor or senior management.
• Attends required meetings, seminars, and training sessions.
• Supports agency initiatives and complies with Community Action's Mission, Vision, Core Values, and Culture Statements.
• Adhere to all agency policies, procedures, and ethical standards.

Physical Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to:

• Sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach.
• Communicate effectively in person and by telephone.
• Use hands and fingers to operate office equipment and technology.
• Observe and monitor children, staff, and activities throughout the center environment.
• Occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull up to 60 pounds.
• Move throughout classrooms, playgrounds, meeting spaces, and agency facilities.

Qualifications & Education

Education

• Associate's degree in early childhood education or related field required.

Experience

• Requires one to two years of progressively responsible experience supporting early childhood education programs, including clerical, recordkeeping, and data management responsibilities.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Effective organizational and time management abilities.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with staff, families, community members, and agency leadership.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, internet-based systems, and data management software.
• Experience using ChildPlus or similar child and family data systems preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to serving diverse populations and promoting inclusive practices.

The qualifications listed above are guidelines for selection purposes; alternative qualifications may be substituted if sufficient to perform the duties of the job.