School Readiness Coordinator

Action Pathways, Inc.; Fayetteville (NC); On-site; USD 55,800 - 68,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Zero-cost Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance

Retirement plan with 100% employer matching

Paid Vacation/Sick/Personal leave

Paid professional development training

Employee discounts

Job summary

Action Pathways, Inc. in Fayetteville, NC, is seeking a Head Start School Readiness Coordinator to lead initiatives ensuring child outcomes align with school readiness goals. The role demands a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years in early childhood education, leveraging strong leadership and data analysis skills.

Responsibilities include developing School Readiness Goals, overseeing child outcome data, and fostering family engagement. This full-time position offers a competitive salary of $62,000 annually and includes comprehensive health benefits and a retirement plan among other perks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Human Services, Family Studies, or related field required.
• Minimum five years of experience in early childhood education or family services.
• Strong knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards, CLASS, and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of School Readiness Goals.
• Oversee collection and analysis of child assessment and family engagement data.
• Collaborate with Education Managers to strengthen instructional practices.

Skills

Leadership

Data analysis

Communication

Child development knowledge

Cultural responsiveness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Position Title: Head Start School Readiness Coordinator

Reports To: Education Services Manager

Salary: $62,000 annually

Full Time – Non–Exempt

Travel Required: 40%

Position Summary

The School Readiness team provides strategic leadership to ensure that child outcomes and family partnerships work in alignment to promote school readiness. This role bridges education services, family engagement, and data–driven decision making to strengthen classroom quality, increase family involvement, and ensure measurable progress toward School Readiness Goals. This position serves as a key driver of continuous quality improvement by transforming child outcome data and family engagement practices into coordinated strategies that enhance learning environments, strengthen family‑school connections, and advance the mission of Head Start. The role will support tracking in‑kind and volunteerism as it pertains to family involvement to support the non‑federal share requirement for Head Start.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

School Readiness & Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development, implementation, monitoring, and annual review of School Readiness Goals
• Ensure alignment between curriculum, assessments, instructional practices, and family engagement strategies
• Guide education and family services teams in data‑informed planning and continuous improvement
• Serve as a strategic partner in agency‑wide planning and program development

Child Outcomes & Data Systems

• Oversee collection, analysis, and interpretation of child assessment and family engagement data
• Identify trends and gaps to inform classroom instruction, coaching, and family support strategies
• Develop user‑friendly reports and dashboards for leadership, Policy Council, and governing bodies
• Support staff in using data to individualize instruction and strengthen family learning supports

Instructional Quality & Classroom Impact

• Collaborate with Education Managers and Coaches to strengthen instructional practices and CLASS outcomes
• Align professional development and coaching with classroom needs and child outcome goals
• Support consistent, high‑quality implementation of curriculum and individualized learning plans

Family Learning & Engagement Leadership

• Design and implement innovative family engagement strategies that support school readiness and lifelong learning
• Develop parent education workshops, home learning initiatives, and community partnerships
• Strengthen parent leadership development and participation in program governance
• Ensure culturally responsive practices that reflect the strengths and needs of enrolled families

Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards related to education, family engagement, and school readiness
• Lead internal monitoring and documentation reviews across education and family services
• Prepare program components for federal reviews and ongoing monitoring activities
• Maintain accurate and compliant records related to child outcomes and family engagement

Collaboration & Leadership

• Partner with ERSEA, Health, Disabilities, and Mental Health teams to support whole‑child and whole‑family outcomes
• Serve as a key member of the program’s leadership team
• Promote a positive, collaborative organizational culture

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Human Services, Family Studies, or related field (Master’s preferred)
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in early childhood education, family services, or related leadership role
• Strong knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards, CLASS, child assessment systems, and family engagement frameworks
• Demonstrated experience with data analysis, program evaluation, and continuous quality improvement
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Head Start experience strongly preferred
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred
• Experience with program evaluation and strategic planning

Core Competencies

• Strategic & systems thinking
• Instructional and family engagement leadership
• Data‑informed decision making
• Relationship building & collaboration
• Cultural responsiveness & equity‑centered leadership

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field required
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in early childhood education, including classroom teaching and staff support or coaching.
• Experience working in Head Start or similar early childhood program strongly preferred.
• NC Level III Child Care Administrator preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards and early childhood best practices.
• Extensive knowledge of NC DCDEE Requirements and other Early Childhood regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and support teaching staff.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively to the dynamic needs of a multi‑site program.

Working Conditions

• Frequent travel between Head Start centers.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required for trainings or special events.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Computer Skills

• Knowledge of accounting software; spreadsheet and word processing software.
• Proficiency to learn agency software within 90 days of employment.

Certificates & Licenses

• Current (negative) TB test
• Pre‑employment physical
• First Aid Certification (within 60 days of hire)
• CPR Certification (within 60 days of hire)
• Valid driver's license or reliable transportation; annual state vehicle inspection, and proof of vehicle liability insurance coverage if POV.

Other Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to plan, supervise, and evaluate work of subordinates.
• Knowledge of principles of organization and management is required.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the needs, characteristics, and development of low‑income infants, toddlers and pre‑school aged children and families is essential.
• Familiarity with North Carolina Child Care Licensing regulations.
• Ability to work and communicate well with a variety of people.
• Must be in good medical health as evidenced by an annual medical examination.
• Must have annual TB test indicating negative results.
• Must pass a post‑offer employment criminal record background check and random substance abuse tests.

Conditions of Employment

• Background check with state and federal law enforcement agencies required.
• Selected applicants must submit to a pre‑employment substance abuse screening test and receive a negative result for the use of drugs and alcohol as specified in agency policies.
• Must submit and receive negative results for random testing of same.
• Must have a valid North Carolina Driver's License.
• Must be able to pass a post‑offer physical examination.
• Action Pathways, Inc. is an “at‑will” employer. Either the employee or Action Pathways, Inc. may terminate the employment arrangement at any time, with or without cause.
• Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. The job description or announcement is not an employment agreement or contract.

Employee Benefits Package

• Competitive pay with periodic Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA)
• Zero‑cost Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short‑Term Disability (Employee only)
• Retirement plan with 100% employer matching
• Paid Vacation/Sick/Personal leave
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Paid professional development training
• Education assistance after one year employed
• Auto mileage reimbursement for official travel
• Employee discounts
• Bragg Mutual Credit Union Membership
• Employee Recognition Events

How To Apply

Applicants must apply online at www.actionpathways.ngo