Head Start Director

Omaha Tribe of Nebraska; Macy (NE); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Omaha Tribe of Nebraska seeks an executive leader to oversee the Head Start & Early Head Start program, ensuring culturally responsive services for children, pregnant women, and families. Lead planning, budgeting, and federal grant compliance while collaborating with tribal leadership,Policy Council, schools, families, and partners.

The role drives continuous quality improvement, data-informed decisions, staff development, and community engagement to meet HSPPS and program goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and experience in staff supervision and fiscal management.
• Experience overseeing federal grant programs and Head Start/Early Head Start preferred.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and ensure program compliance.
• Knowledge of Head Start Act and HSPPS required.

Responsibilities

• Direct and coordinate Head Start and Early Head Start planning and daily operations.
• Prepare, monitor, and revise program budgets; oversee fiscal controls.
• Submit grant applications and required reports to OHS and tribal authorities.
• Provide timely program and financial information to governing bodies.
• Supervise staff and implement performance improvement plans.
• Coordinate transitions between programs and collaborate with partners.

Skills

Budgeting

Staff supervision

Grants management

Strategic planning

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Data systems

Spreadsheets

Electronic reporting

Job description

SUMMARY:

Provides executive leadership, planning, administration, and oversight of the Omaha Tribe Head Start & Early Head Start Program. Directs program operations, personnel, budgets, federal grant compliance, and continuous quality improvement to ensure comprehensive, culturally responsive services for children, pregnant women, and families. Works collaboratively with tribal leadership, the governing body, Policy Council, Omaha Nation Public School, families, and community partners to meet the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) and approved program goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Direct and coordinate Head Start and Early Head Start planning, program design, implementation, and daily operations consistent with approved grants and community needs. (§§1302.20, 1302.101)


• Prepare, administer, monitor, and revise program budgets; oversee allowable expenditures, fiscal controls, procurement, and timely financial reporting in coordination with fiscal staff and tribal administration. (45 CFR Part 1303; §1302.101)


• Prepare and submit timely grant applications, continuation and refunding requests, program reports, and other required submissions to the Office of Head Start and appropriate tribal authorities.


• Provide the governing body and Policy Council with accurate, timely program, financial, enrollment, and monitoring information to support their respective oversight and decision-making responsibilities. (Part 1301; §1302.102)


• Supervise, coach, evaluate, and support coordinators, supervisors, and other assigned staff; establish clear performance expectations and corrective action plans when necessary. (§§1302.90–1302.92)


• Participate in recruitment, interviews, hiring recommendations, orientation, and personnel decisions in accordance with tribal policies and applicable Policy Council responsibilities. (§§1301.3, 1302.90)


• Ensure staff qualifications, background checks, professional development, and training meet applicable requirements; promote staff wellness and retention. (§§1302.90–1302.93)


• Establish and maintain effective management systems, internal communication, recordkeeping, data quality, ongoing monitoring, and annual self-assessment processes. (§§1302.101–1302.102)


• Develop and monitor program goals and school readiness goals; use child, family, fiscal, and operational data to identify concerns, implement improvements, and report progress. (§1302.102)


• Oversee eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance systems, including efforts to reach families with the greatest need and maintain funded enrollment. (§§1302.11–1302.16)


• Ensure developmentally appropriate curriculum, teaching practices, screenings, assessments, and individualized learning supports are implemented and monitored. (§§1302.31–1302.34)


• Ensure inclusion and full participation of children with disabilities and collaboration with local education agencies and early intervention partners regarding IEPs and IFSPs. (§§1302.60–1302.63)


• Oversee comprehensive child health, oral health, nutrition, mental health, and safety services, including appropriate emergency procedures and required family communication. (§§1302.40–1302.47)


• Ensure nutritious meals, menu planning, food purchasing, and applicable nutrition program operations are monitored for quality, safety, and budget accountability. (§1302.44)


• Promote meaningful family engagement, family partnership services, parent committees, and effective community partnerships. (§§1301.4, 1302.50–1302.53)


• Coordinate transitions between Early Head Start, Head Start Preschool, and kindergarten, and ensure appropriate services to enrolled pregnant women where applicable. (§§1302.70–1302.82)


• Maintain a collaborative working relationship with Omaha Nation Public School and other providers to coordinate educational resources, qualified personnel, transition activities, and related services.


• Ensure facilities, equipment, classrooms, playgrounds, transportation arrangements, and learning materials are safe, appropriate, and maintained in accordance with applicable requirements. (§1302.47; applicable Part 1303 provisions)


• Authorize program purchases and expenditures within delegated authority and approved budgets, following tribal and federal procurement requirements.


• Support preservation and revitalization of tribal language and culture through culturally responsive program planning and community collaboration. (§1302.36)


• Coordinate staff training, in-service activities, special projects, and summer activities as approved and consistent with program requirements.


• Provide classroom or operational assistance when necessary while maintaining required supervision, staff-child ratios, and safety practices.


• Communicate effectively with tribal officials, families, employees, federal representatives, and community organizations; respond promptly to concerns and compliance findings.


• Perform other duties as assigned consistent with the position and program requirements.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with experience in staff supervision, fiscal management, and program administration.


• Demonstrated ability to oversee complex programs, manage budgets, supervise staff, and ensure compliance with applicable regulations.


• Experience in early childhood education, federally funded programs, tribal administration, or Head Start/Early Head Start preferred.


• Must meet the qualifications and competencies applicable to program management under §1302.91 and the Head Start Act.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATION:

• Valid Nebraska driver's license and insurability.


• Current CPR and First Aid certification, or ability to obtain within the timeframe required by the program for assigned duties.


• Successful completion of required background checks and applicable pre-employment screening in accordance with tribal policy and federal and state law.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the Head Start Act, HSPPS, applicable federal grant requirements, and tribal policies and procedures.


• Strong skills in budget preparation, fiscal monitoring, grants management, reporting, and internal controls.


• Ability to lead, supervise, mentor, evaluate, and develop multidisciplinary teams.


• Ability to interpret regulations, policies, program data, financial reports, and monitoring findings and translate them into corrective action.


• Ability to develop strategic plans, set measurable goals, and manage continuous quality improvement.


• Knowledge of early childhood development, inclusive education, family engagement, child health and safety, and culturally responsive services.


• Ability to establish positive working relationships with families, the Policy Council, governing body, tribal leadership, schools, and community partners.


• Strong written and oral communication, public presentation, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills.


• Proficiency with office technology, data systems, spreadsheets, and electronic reporting.


• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment, integrity, and professional ethics.

PLEASE NOTE: P.L. 93-638, Indian Preference and Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance, (TERO), will be practiced, however all qualified applicants will be considered.