Center Manager

JOB SUMMARY/ACCOUNTIBILITY:

The Center Manager is responsible for the daily oversight of center operations, including assuring compliance with standards established to assure a high-quality program. This includes a strong commitment to Head Start’s mission of ensuring all children and families are ready for school and schools are ready for our children and families. This position also has oversight of facility management.  

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Monitor the inventory of site materials, supplies, and equipment. 
• Assure accurate, complete, and confidential maintenance of staff records. 
• Conduct bi-weekly staff meetings and monthly one-on- one meetings with staff. 
• Conduct staff performance evaluations and professional development plans. 
• Organize the parent committee. 
• Assure all center level documentation are complete, up to date and accurate. 
• Attend all meetings and trainings, as requested, to keep abreast of trends in various areas.
• Create and maintain a safe, healthy and nurturing learning environment. 
• Manage and/or delegate related tasks as required by the program. 
• Monitor the planning, writing and implementation if individual lesson plans. 
• Monitor the completion of 2 parent-teacher conferences and 2 home visits for each child/family. 
• Create and maintain a team and strength-based center environment. 
• Monitor the completion of anecdotal notes into the COR Advantage system. 
• Develop a schedule to support the teaching staff during break times. 
• Monitor staff time and attendance. 
• Report suspected child abuse or neglect as required by law, in accordance with agency policies and procedures, maintain documentation of reports made on behalf of the center. 
• Participate in program sponsored activities including community events. 
• Assist in the recruitment for children in the center and assist to maintain enrollment.
• Meet regularly with the Senior Program Manager.
• Ensure completion of developmental screenings, assessments, Individual Education Plans and any other services necessary for the child’s growth and development.
• Ensure the operations of the center are following active supervision practices, health & safety rules, licensing, performance standards and agency policies and procedures.
• Participate in ongoing professional development.
• Coordinate the submission of Incident Reports.
• Monitor the completion of the Health & Safety Classroom Daily Checklists.
• Conduct the Health & Safety Center Daily Checklists.
• Complete and submit weekly Center Action Plans.
• Submit work orders for center repairs in a timely manner.
• Able to meet deadlines and handle multiple priorities.
• Conduct classroom observations.
• Conduct disciplinary actions as necessary.
• Maintain adequate safeguards for the privacy and confidentiality of information.  
• Complete required documentation of relevant activities and submit records and reports in a timely and accurate manner.  
• Stay abreast of current issues and trends by participation in grantee-sponsored training, center pre-service and in-service trainings, and other continuing education, career and professional development opportunities; read and review regulations and other resources.
• Participate in and contribute to all case management, parent education planning, supervisory, management team, and staff meetings. Also, attend interagency meetings, the agency's board meetings, Parent Committee and Policy Committee meetings and other meetings, as appropriate.
• Regularly review policies and procedures; revise and/or create policies and procedures as necessary.  
• Gather data through ongoing monitoring, analyze for corrective and preventive actions, write and present reports; participate in annual Self-Assessment, and use outputs to inform planning and decisions. 
• Must pass requirements for licensing including finger printing, criminal clearance, physical and drug screen
• Perform other related duties as assigned 

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Master’s or Advanced Degree in early childhood education or child development preferred. 
• Bachelor’s in a child-related field with 18 hours and equivalent coursework in early childhood education with at least 480 clock hours of experience in an early childhood setting teaching required. 
• Must meet other grantee and licensing requirements. 
• A minimum of three years classroom and supervisory experience. 
• Sound understanding of Developmentally Appropriate Practices. 
• Effective, supportive supervisory skills, including the ability to assist staff in developing self-direction, and skills to develop a good team and team relationships
• Demonstrated evidence of good professional habits and attitude.
• Demonstrate sound judgment and impeccable integrity. 
• Strong working knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards, Michigan Childcare Licensing Regulations, and state and federal regulations pertaining to child abuse and neglect. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 
• Must have reliable transportation 
• Must be able to lift up to 45 pounds
• Effective in an environment of cultural diversity, comfortable in a collaborative, team-based work setting 
• Able to compile and analyze data to make effective recommendations and decisions 
• Effective at problem solving, attentive to detail, organized, able to prioritize between multiple-tasks, flexible with changing priorities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

WORKING AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Works in a normal office environment with usual pressures of managing personnel and dealing with time constraints. Because of multiple sites within the department and the need to meet with others within the community, it is common to drive to several locations, sometimes in inclement weather. 

CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND ETHICAL CONDUCT:

• All staff will use data to help achieve program goals; apply techniques and strategies that promote a culture of learning; identify and address gaps that continuously improve our programs 
• All personnel of Matrix must adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics and incorporate Continuous Quality Improvement efforts into their everyday performance 
• All Head Start employees must adhere to the federal regulations and requirements for Head Start operations including the Program Performance Standards, licensing regulations, and the NAEYC Code of Conduct 
• Demonstrate and actively promote an understanding and commitment to the mission and values of Matrix Human Services