Center Director

Opportunities for Williamson & Burnet Counties; Taylor (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Opportunities for Williamson & Burnet Counties seeks a Center Director to manage daily operations of a Head Start Center, ensuring the educational development, health, and safety of children. The role reports to the Program Director, supervises staff and volunteers, and ensures compliance with Head Start and licensure policies while collaborating with partners to deliver quality services.

A degree in child development/management with supervisory experience is required, plus a Texas driver’s

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 12 college credit hours in child development and 6 in management, and at least one year in a licensed child-care center.
• Associate’s degree in child development or closely related field with 6 hours in child development and 6 in management, and at least two years in a licensed center.
• Sixty college credits with nine hours in child development and six in management, and at least two years in a licensed center.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily operations and staffing for a Head Start Center.
• Oversee health and safety in compliance with Head Start and licensure policies.
• Hire, supervise, and develop staff including evaluations and coaching.
• Ensure classrooms align with approved curriculum and programs.
• Collaborate with Program Coordinators and community partners.

Skills

Word processing

Customer service

Regulatory compliance

Time management

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in child development + management hours

Associate’s degree in child development + management hours

Sixty college credits with child dev & management hours

Tools

Word processing software

Spreadsheets

Database software

Job description

Overview

Position Summary: The Center Director is responsible for managing business operations while ensuring the educational development, health, and safety of children attending school. The position reports to the Program Director and operates under general supervision with wide latitude for the use of independent judgment, discretion, and initiative.

Essential Job Duties

• Manage the daily operations and staffing for a Head Start Center.
• Oversee the health and safety of children in compliance with WBCO, Head Start, and Child Care Licensure policies and procedures.
• Reviews and signs weekly lesson plans for all classrooms.
• Hire and supervise staff following personnel policies and procedures including orientation and training, career development advice, establishing employee goals, conducting performance reviews, coaching, counseling, and disciplining staff, and recommending terminations if needed.
• Oversee the management of an efficient, effective, and safe child‑care center to include property, facilities, and grounds.
• Ensure compliance with ADA and IDEA, Day Care Licensing, and Head Start Program regulations.
• Ensure performance standards are met in alignment with education, mental health, disability, and social service programs.
• Ensure classrooms encourage a positive learning environment and comply with the approved curriculum and adopted programs.
• Complete Classroom Materials Checklist on each classroom, provide feedback to teachers, and make lists of missing items for the purchase wish list.
• Collaborate with all Program Coordinators to ensure quality services for children and families are being provided promptly.
• Work with community partners and others to develop initiatives that promote positive community relations.
• Manage and coordinate volunteer activities for the classroom ensuring appropriate background checks have been completed.
• Monitor nutritional offerings at Head Start/Early Head Start Centers.
• Ensure volunteers are managed, trained, and records verifying their status are maintained.
• Ensure child outcomes are tracked and monitored.
• Assist the Health Coordinator in ensuring children are up to date with current EPSDT guidelines and with data entry of immunizations, well‑child exams, and dental exams.
• Maintain an inventory list of all supplies and equipment.
• Educate parents and staff on current issues in the area of education, mental health, and disability.
• Ensure the confidentiality of information about staff, students, and families.
• Travel between sites to complete work, attend meetings and professional development seminars.
• Maintain program waitlist.
• Collaborates with Family Advocates to plan monthly parent meetings and participates in monthly parent meetings.
• All employees are expected to adhere to OWBC ethics expectations and to cooperate and work effectively with others.
• Regular and punctual attendance is an essential function of the position.
• Perform other duties as assigned or as they become apparent.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to operate various word-processing software, spreadsheets, and database programs.
• Ability to work effectively with others.
• Ability to assess the health and behaviors of children by sight and sound.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service to internal and external customers.
• Ability to ensure compliance with regulatory agency requirements and policies.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and utilize effective time management techniques.
• Ability to respect confidentiality at all times.
• Ability to carry out multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to follow instructions furnished in verbal or written format.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Training:

• A bachelor’s degree with 12 college credit hours in child development and six college credit hours in management and at least one year of experience in a licensed child-care center; or
• An associate’s of applied science degree in child development or a closely related field with six college credit hours in child development and six college credit hours in management and at least two years of experience in a licensed child-care center; or
• Sixty college credit hours with nine college credit hours in child development and six college credit hours in management, and at least two years of experience in a licensed child-care center.

Preferred:

• Bilingual

Experience:

• Two (2) years of experience in a supervisory role, in addition to the above requirements.

Licenses/Certifications:

• Valid Texas driver’s license.
• Obtain and keep current Adult and Pediatric CPR and First Aid certifications.

Working Conditions

• Working in a fast-paced environment with priorities and plans that may change rapidly.
• Working on weekends, evenings and some holidays may be required.