Center Director (33027)

Lutheran Services Florida; Clearwater (AR); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision

Telehealth

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Employer paid life insurance

13 paid holidays + floating holiday

Generous PTO

403(b) retirement plan with match

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Lutheran Services Florida is seeking a Center Director to lead a Head Start/Early Head Start center. The role oversees daily operations, supervision of education staff, and coordination with parents and the community.

The Center Director ensures compliance with federal standards, manages program quality, coordinates assessments, and drives accreditation efforts while maintaining a safe and stimulating learning environment for young children.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in Early Childhood Education or related field with relevant coursework.
• State licensing or teaching credentials for Pre-K/early childhood teaching.
• Experience supervising Head Start/Early Head Start staff and program operations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day center operations and regulatory compliance.
• Coach and evaluate education staff; monitor CLASS and GOLD assessments.
• Coordinate schedules, staffing, and staffing ratios; manage payroll approvals.
• Plan and coordinate family engagement activities and community partnerships.
• Ensure federal Head Start performance standards and local licensing requirements are met.

Skills

Supervising staff

Classroom observations

Parent communication

Education

Early Childhood Education degree

Teaching credentials

Tools

ChildPlus

CLASS

Job description

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant.

LSF is looking for a talented Center Director who wants to make an impact in the lives of others.

Purpose & Impact:

The Center Director is responsible for the general and day-to-day operations of a Head Start/Early Head Start center or cluster of outlying centers, covering multiple classrooms, coordinating, overseeing and teaching duties, communicating with parents and the community. Supervises and monitors all education staff working at the assigned center. Ensures implementation of educational activities for pre-school aged children and infants/toddlers in the Head Start/Early Head Start Program that comply with federal performance standards. Participates in the HS/EHS Quality Assurance efforts.

Essential Functions:

• Coordinates and oversees the daily activities of a Head Start/Early Head Start Center to ensure that center complies with federal performance standards and local licensing/health/fire inspection requirements, implementing ongoing monitoring to ensure compliance with all regulatory bodies.
• Assesses educational needs of education staff and develops and implements individual education plans that comply with federal performance standards.
• Conducts classroom observations on education staff and measures education staff performance on the Teacher/Teacher Assistant Success Rubric classroom Active Supervision.
• Conducts Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) observations on teacher – child interactions. Maintains CLASS scores as required by Head Start Policies and Procedures.
• Prepares for and achieves National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation. Once achieved, maintains compliance (annual reports, classroom supplies and materials and staffing).
• Provides oversight to ensure teaching staff have completed Teaching Strategies GOLD assessments and observations as outlined in the Education calendar.
• Conducts classroom Environmental Rating Screenings as outlined in the Education calendar.
• Provides coaching and feedback to education staff on classroom management, emotional support, classroom organization, and instructional support.
• Schedules, assigns and reviews the work of Center staff.
• Ensure all staff records are maintained in compliance with county licensing and Head Start requirements including required staff credentials.
• Supervises assigned staff. Ensures staff scheduling for classroom coverage and maintenance of proper child/staff ratios; prepares performance appraisals in a timely manner; takes appropriate corrective action in accordance with LSF Personnel Policies & Procedures and HS Performance Standards.
• Review and approve as per the payroll schedule staff timecards and time off requests for accuracy and as per LSF Policies and Procedures.
• Select new staff for vacant positions, preparing and routing for appropriate approval the completed Hiring Manager Checklist and required documentation as per Head Start HR Policies and Procedures.
• Monitors food service and supplies for adequate inventory. Ensures staff properly document meals served for reimbursement through the USDA Food Program and other programs.
• Monitors meal and snack periods, restroom activities, and playground activities to ensure a safe environment for young children.
• Documents children's progress and completes all required screening and assessment forms and reports in accordance with federal requirements. Review entries made in Child Plus for accuracy and completeness.
• Reviews reports concerning incidents of ringworm, head lice or bruises on children and reports to appropriate Healthcare Specialist and Childcare Licensing if needed
• Reports suspected child abuse and neglect to designated state agency and local county Child Care Licensing. Completes and submits appropriate reports and reviews Health Observations and Reports of Concern referrals submitted by Head Start/Early Head Start Teachers.
• Plans volunteer activities for parents and community volunteers.
• Attends and participates in workshops and other meetings to acquire and disseminate information to Head Start/Early Head Start staff.
• Plans, coordinates and oversees field trips for assigned children.
• Orders supplies and equipment to ensure classrooms meet Head Start requirements to be used by special needs children in the classroom. Maintains inventory of Program assets according to Policies and Procedures.
• Oversees the maintenance of the Center and submits requests for repairs to facilities in order to ensure a safe environment for young children and staff.
• Inspects classrooms and grounds to ensure the safety, orderliness, sanitation and cleanliness of facilities.
• Reviews and forwards accident and incident reports.
• Discusses plans and coordinates concerns regarding the child and family with Head Start/Early Head Start staff.
• May perform First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start/Early Head Start children, families and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Attends all workshops and meetings as deemed necessary by the supervisor
• Attends all required staff and parent meetings and activities; seeks collaboration with associations and community professional organizations.

Education:

• A baccalaureate or advanced degree in Early Childhood Education; or a baccalaureate or advanced degree in any subject, and coursework equivalent to a major relating to Early Childhood Education with experience teaching preschool-aged children. Coursework equivalent to a major related to Early Childhood Education includes but is not limited to the following:
• Teaching credentials: licensure or certification by the state for Pre-K teachers recognized by the local school district or state education agency as qualifying teachers to teach pre-school children in that school district or state if the individual has at least 500 clock hours of experience in an early childhood setting teaching pre-school aged children. OR
• Coursework: No less than 18 semester credits in courses that focus specifically on child development, early childhood education and curriculum, early childhood teaching and assessment, psychology, family development, health and physical development, mathematics, science and children’s literature. These courses may have been taken in various departments such as Education, Home Economics, Music, Art, Library Sciences, Physical Education and Recreation, Psychology, Family Studies, and others, and must specifically address young children.
• A baccalaureate degree in any field and has been admitted into the Teach For America program, passed a rigorous early childhood content exam, such as the Praxis II, participated in a Teach For America summer training institute that includes teaching preschool children, and is receiving ongoing professional development and support from Teach For America’s professional staff.
• Completion of State Childcare Training required including Certificate of Completion of an approved 10-hour Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Preschoolers or Infant/Toddlers Course; and proof of successful completion of the following courses: 6 hours Child Growth and Development; 6 hours Behavioral Observation & Screening; 8 hours Health, Safety & Nutrition; 4 hours Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect; and 6 hours Child Care Facility Rules and Regulations, or a 30-hour Introductory Child Care Training Course. In addition, all state mandated courses for the Voluntary prekindergarten required.
• A Certificate of Completion of an approved 10-hour Special Needs Course; and a State of Florida Child Care and Education Program Director Credential; and possession of a valid Driver License. Must be 21 years of age.

Experience:

Three years of experience in teaching pre-school or kindergarten age plus two years of supervisory experience required. Some experience in financial management and budgeting preferred. Previous Head Start/Early Head Start experience preferred. Bilingual preferred: English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area.

Also required:

Certification in First Aid and CPR within 90 days from the date of hireand successful completion of a Level II background screening, local criminal record check, health, TB and drug screening prior to hiring.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of supervising Education staff.
• Considerable knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for early childhood.
• Considerable knowledge of behavior modification theories and practices relating to early childhood development.
• Considerable knowledge of current educational techniques and practices relating to early childhood development.
• Skill in coordinating and selecting appropriate activities for young children and their parents.
• Skill in making presentations to groups.
• Skill in verbal communication with pre-school age children.
• Skill in resolving conflicts between pre-school age children.
• Ability to plan, organize and conduct early childhood education programs.
• Ability to oversee the work of subordinate staff.
• Ability to assume a seated position on the floor, or a bent or keeled position for extended periods of time.
• Ability to collect, organize and evaluate data and develop logical conclusions.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to prepare and maintain work related reports and files.
• Ability to handle confidential information.
• Ability to use a computer and related software.
• Ability to follow established procedures.
• Ability to administer CPR and First Aid.
• Ability to implement safety procedures.
• Ability to work effectively with others.
• Ability to provide physical assistance in the transportation of special needs children.
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

Why work for LSF?

LSF offers 60 programs across the state of Florida serving a wide range of populations in need. Mission Driven staff members become part of the LSF community while transforming the lives of those in need. Our staff additionally find growth opportunities as they explore areas of interest within the organization.

Amazing benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Telehealth (24/7 online access to Doctors)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employer paid life insurance (1X salary)
• 13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday
• Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year)
• Note: Head Start employees paid time off and holiday schedule may differ
• 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match OR 3% student loan repayment reimbursement
• Tuition reimbursement

LSF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Lutheran Services Florida is mandated to perform background screenings for employment in accordance with the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse as outlined in Section 435.12, Florida Statutes. Additionally, pursuant to House Bill 531 (2025), Lutheran Services Florida must ensure that all job vacancy postings and advertisements include a clear and conspicuous link to the AHCA Clearinghouse website and its requirements. For more information on background screening requirements please visit: https://info.flclearinghouse.com