Director of Early Childhood Education
Director of Early Childhood Education
Primary Location: CSIU-Early Intervention
Salary Range: $90,000. - $105,000.
Shift type: Full-time
JOB LOCATION: CSIU Main office - Milton, PAJob description:
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP: The Director of Early Childhood Education reports directly to the Chief Academic Officer. The Director of Early Childhood Education will supervise programs for preschool children eligible for Early Intervention, Pre-K Counts, Head Start and Early Head Start (EHS).
JOB DEFINITION: The Director of Early Childhood Education is responsible to direct the development, supervision and maintenance of programs for Early Intervention, Head Start, Early Head Start and Pre-K Counts. The Director of Early Childhood Education is responsible for overseeing the transportation process of preschool children and school-age special education and alternative placement students for the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Staff Functions
- Supervise and evaluate program supervisors, managers and applicable educational service staff in Early Childhood Education.
- Develop early childhood programs based on reach and risk data to meet the needs of young children within the CSIU area.
- Monitor budgetary needs of all early childhood programs.
- Monitor off site facilities; work collaboratively with the Manager of Building and Grounds.
- Educational Leadership
- Seek grant opportunities for early childhood programs to increase opportunities for young children.
- Conduct data collection in conjunction with program supervisors/managers for all early childhood programs to monitor service delivery and academic progress.
- Direct and participate in fiscal projects necessary for early childhood programs.
- Conduct and build collaboration among all early childhood programs to meet service needs of all students.
- Assists program supervisors/managers with creation of goals surrounding the mission and vision of CSIU.
- Collaborate with the Chief Academic Officer and the Business Office in preparing the annual program review and evaluation and in preparing the following year’s budget and proposal; review and approve budgets and proposals before submission for the Early Intervention, Head Start, and Pre-K Counts budget.
- Assure compliance with Pennsylvania and Federal special education regulations and standards and all CSIU board policies and administrative regulations.
- Agency/Community Relationships
- Work collaboratively with program supervisors/managers and agencies to provide transportation for preschool, special education, and alternative placement students.
- Direct activities to increase public awareness of programs and services available for young children including child find for Early Intervention
- Establish communication and cooperation with other agencies in the geographical area that serve young children.
- Coordinate activities of the regional LICCs.
- Manage contracts for early care and learning partners.
- Work with the Chief Academic Officer, buildings and grounds, and the business office to manage classroom space agreements and building leases for early childhood programs.
- Legal Requirements
- Ensure compliance in all early childhood programs with state and federal law.
- Develop, direct, and maintain a management and accountability system necessary to conduct program activities, including overall budget preparation and management for early childhood programs that serve young children within the CSIU geographical area.
- Ensure parental, staff and agency involvement in programming and evaluation.
- Develop and monitor contracts with outside providers for classroom space and contracted program needs.
- Direct and monitor third party or ACCESS billing to increase funding resources.
- Develop yearly special education plan for Early Intervention programs and services.
- Staff Development
- Direct professional development for early childhood programs including best practices, curriculum development, school safety, and adherence to state standards and all applicable state and federal regulations.
- Organize and facilitate the SA/ECE committee internally to increase safety measures across all IU programs.
- Develop a system with strategies for staff to accommodate children transitioning into preschool programs and the later transitioning to school-age programs for all early childhood programs.
NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Performs other related duties as assigned.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:
- A minimum of a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Education or related field is required. A doctorate in Early Childhood Education, Education or related field is preferred.
- Valid Pennsylvania Supervisor of Special Education PK-12 (CSPG #91) supervisory certificate. A Principal PK-12 (CSG #95) administrative certificate is preferred.
- A minimum of ten years related professional work experience is required consisting of six (6) years’ experience gained in the public schools, state-approved private schools or colleges and universities consisting of three (3) years’ experience in the special education of exceptional children as a teacher or school psychologist; and three (3) years of special education leadership including five (5) years of supervisory experience with excellent supervisory skills is required.
- Knowledge of Pennsylvania and federal special education regulations and standards as they apply to school districts and intermediate units.
- Experience with best practices for all exceptionalities.
- Knowledge of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
- Knowledge of Pennsylvania teacher certification and appropriately certified requirements and knowledge of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment required.
- Excellent leadership and management skills.
- Excellent writing and public speaking skills experience.
- Experience and knowledge of standard business budget/finance practices.
- Ability to work independently and without a large degree of direct supervision.
- Ability to contribute and work as a part of a larger team.
- Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with colleagues and clients, both internal and external.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Platform applications and Word, Excel, PowerPoint and email.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS:
- Middle Management supervisors are required to keep abreast of current trends, best practices regarding instruction and research to ensure quality special education programs and related services. Additionally, they must attend regularly scheduled full staff and other supervisory meetings, participate in local and state training that is pertinent to their job assignment and participate in Office of Child Development and Early Learning initiatives and CSIU sponsored activities.
ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS:
- Current, approved Act 34 (PA State Police), Act 151 (PA Child Abuse Registry) and Act 114-FBI Fingerprint clearances are required and must be renewed at appropriate, specific intervals pursuant to Act 153 of 2014 (revised Act 15 of 2015).
- Current, approved Act 126 Mandated Reporter Training certificate showing completion of a minimum of three (3) hours training every five (5) years.
TIME AND SITE REQUIREMENTS:
- This is a full time exempt Act 93 middle manager position following a 12-month work schedule. Some evening meetings and overnight travel to conferences, workshops and other activities as directed by the Chief Academic Officer or Executive Director.
- Attendance at work is a requirement of this position; any and all absences must be approved by the Chief Academic Officer or designee.
CSIU PROPERTY AND CONFIDENTIALITY REQUIREMENTS:
- All property, including intellectual property, materials, equipment or actual products and services developed or accrued as part of the job duties and responsibilities listed above, is the property of the CSIU. It may not be used for personal profit or gain and will be relinquished to the CSIU upon termination of employment from the CSIU.
- The person employed in this position shall maintain confidentiality with regard to the personal and private information about clients and coworkers, programs and services and any other proprietary information accrued as a result of CSIU employment or as required by state or federal laws and regulations.
- The person employed in this position must adhere to all requirements identified in the code of professionalism entitled "Ambassadors Are Professionals, Too" and CSIU Administrative Regulation 317-AR-1 CSIU Service Standards.
MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENT: As a supervisory/management staff member, this position is also responsible for representing the CSIU in public networking and partnership activities by maintaining knowledge about and promoting CSIU programs and services and by relaying information about potential grant or other funding sources to appropriate CSIU staff members.
The position holder must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. It is the responsibility of the employee to inform their supervisor and the Director of Human Resources of the need for any accommodations that may be required.