Center Administrator

Hinds County Human Resource Agency; Jackson (MS); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Center Administrator at Hinds County Head Start and Early Childhood Programs oversees the overall operation of the center, including personnel supervision and program management. This role ensures compliance with Head Start standards and provides leadership across planning, training, and family involvement.

Qualifications include a Bachelor's or two-year degree with substantial supervisory/management experience in preschool settings, strong communication and computer skills, and a proven

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Business Administration, or closely related field with at least two years supervisory experience.
• A two-year college degree in Child Development Technology or English with 10 years of work experience, including at least 6 years of management and supervision in a Preschool Program, may substitute for the BS degree.
• Must communicate effectively, oral and written.
• Must have good basic computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan field trips and submit requests and plans in a timely manner.
• Assist with the assignments of children with disabilities.
• Assign bus monitors as needed.
• Ensure staff-to-child ratio is maintained during all hours of operation.
• Lead parental involvement at the center and provide resources to Parent Committee members.
• Operate the center in conformity with governmental and agency standards for safety and well-being.
• Develop and implement goals, policies and activities to achieve program mission and standards.
• Demonstrate strong organizational and analytical skills and ability to research best practices.

Skills

supervisory experience

communication skills

computer skills

Bachelor’s degree related field

Education

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education / Child Development / Business Administration

Two-year degree in Child Development Technology or English with 10 years experience incl. 6 years management

Tools

Computer literacy

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

Characteristics of Work

Under the direction of the Associate Vice President of Head Start and Early Childhood Programs, the Center Administrator will be responsible for the overall operation of the center, including personnel supervision and program management.

Qualifications

B.S. Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Business Administration, or closely related field, i.e. Social Work, Psychology, or Public Administration, with at least two (2) years of supervisory experience. A two-year college degree in Child Development Technology or English and 10 years of work experience, which must include at least 6 years of management and supervision in a Preschool Program, may be substituted for the B. S. Degree requirement. Must be able to communicate effectively, oral and written. Must have good basic computer skills.

Essential Functions

These essential functions include but are not limited to, the following. Additional essential functions may be identified by the Agency and/or as prescribed by the Associate Vice President of Head Start and Early Childhood Programs.

Planning and Developing

Plans for field trips and submits requests and plans in a timely manner.

Assists with the assignments of children with disabilities.

Assign bus monitors as needed.

Ensures staff-to-child ratio is maintained during all hours of operation.

Take a leadership role in planning and maintaining full parental involvement at the center level. Provide resources to Parent Committee members.

Operates the center in conformity with governmental and agency standards for the physical safety and well-being of children and adults at the center.

Assists in the development and implementation of goals, policies, and activities to achieve the implementation of the program’s mission, objectives, and performance standards.

Must be detail-oriented and possess excellent organizational and analytical skills with the ability to research best practices and compliance guidance, complete work accurately, meet deadlines and follow through on job duties and projects.

Ability to prioritize workload, multi-task, and be flexible.

Communicating

Communicates with parents by working closely with the center committee in accordance with performance standards for Parent Involvement.

Ability to liaise effectively with a range of relevant authorities, individuals, and organizations; demonstrate effective interpersonal, leadership, public speaking, and management skills.

Provides an arena for Parents’ concerns, questions, etc., and communicates with them in a congenial, non-threatening manner.

Recruits and recommends classroom substitutes, volunteers, and in-kind contributions.

Communicates with parents by exhibiting sensitivity towards the needs and individual differences in children and adults.

Requests additional human or material resources in a timely manner as needed. Should have the ability to seek supervision and use it constructively.

Recruits volunteers and in-kind contributions.

Recruits children for enrollment in Head Start.

Ability to convey information in a way that is strategic, honest, timely, and respectful.

Enthusiasm for data, analytics, and data-driven decision-making.

Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to the mission of Hinds County Human Resource Agency.

Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail.
Excellent customer service, interpersonal, and communication skills.

Serves on program committees and committees and boards of other organizations affiliated with children and families.

Training

Provides orientation for new employees and volunteers as assigned.

Provides on-site orientation for new employees and volunteers.

Participates in staff meetings, team planning sessions, parent meetings, workshops and training sessions, including, but not limited to, Policy Council training.

Provides orientation for all parents as assigned.

Conducts and documents monthly fire drills and periodic tornado drills.

Conducts parent and staff meetings and other pertinent meetings.

Increases staff retention through mentorships and professional development.

Monitoring

Monitors and evaluates the performance of center staff as it relates to CLASS and other instructional duties.

Monitors all center activities (including folders) on a regular and/or unannounced basis in accordance with developmentally appropriate practice guidelines. Makes periodic checks of referrals to ensure that needed services are provided.

Rides with Bus Drivers as required, reporting any areas where improvement is needed.

Inspects buildings and grounds for cleanliness needed repairs, and general upkeep and makes reports to appropriate person(s).

Conducts ongoing monitoring of all component areas and submits reports to the Associate Vice President of Head Start and Early Childhood Programs.

Must be able to accurately enter data into the Child Outcome Planning Administration software.

Record Keeping and Reporting

Develops and maintains a record-keeping system of confidential and other required education/child development records.

Strong computer literacy skills (Word Processing, Word Perfect, database and spreadsheets, internet and email use required).

Prepares and submits program reports.

Conduct and aggregate data from parental surveys.

Requests needed supplies/equipment in a timely manner in accordance with procedures.

Keeps up-to-date center records and reports in accordance with the administrative work plan, State regulations, and the Head Start Program Performance Standards and other regulations.

Submits reports or ensures that required reports are submitted in accordance to the State Department of Health regulations and applicable State laws, including, but not limited to, those concerning child abuse and neglect, and diseases.

Submits Ongoing Monitoring Reports to the Associate Vice President of Head Start and Early Childhood Programs.

Prepares and participates in the Federal Review and other state and local reviews and inspections.

Meets with the Associate V.P. and Management Team members to make recommendations based on data analysis.

Special Qualifications

Must pass Criminal Background and Child Abuse Central Registry Checks.

Must meet State health requirements.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects when writing various reports, and primarily work in indoor conditions. The employee must be able to interact with the children and to lift and/or move up to 40 lbs., and, if necessary, to lift a child.

Supervisory Control

The Center Administrator is responsible to the Associate Vice President of Head Start and Early Childhood Programs, who is responsible to the Vice President of Head Start and Early Childhood Programs. The Center Administrator will be evaluated by the Associate Vice President of Head Start and Early Childhood Programs through a process of performance monitoring and progress reviews, which will be reviewed and approved by the Vice President of Head Start and Early Childhood Programs. The evaluation will be conducted through a process of performance monitoring and progress reviews.