Assistant Center Director (39569)

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

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

Purpose and Impact:

The Assistant Center Director assists the Center Director with the leadership, program management, and coordination of the local Head Start program. The Assistant Center Director also provides support in communication, resource development, and team effectiveness. The Center Director and Assistant Center Director may delegate direct supervision and evaluation to staff members in designated support services, including transportation and disabilities staff. The Assistant Center Director also provides leadership of and supports program mentoring strategies in place. Helps recruit potential parents by providing information to them about the various program services and benefits offered to enrolled children and families. Participates in the HS/EHS Quality Assurance efforts.

Essential Functions:

• Represents the vision for the center, which includes meeting family needs, exceeding Performance Standards, and providing for an optimal work environment. Assists with planning and evaluation to facilitate progress towards the vision.
• Assists with development of problem-solving strategies for the operation and improvement of the center program.
• Assists in the hiring, placement and retention of classroom staff. Assists to ensure required staff training is completed. Assists with the promotion of positive staff relations and healthy work environment. Identifies short-term and long-term staff training needs, including recommendations for professional development to improve qualifications and job performance.
• Facilitates effective communication, problem solving, planning, cooperation, and follow through among classroom staff and between classrooms through periodic meetings, written communication and other means.
• Represents the center in the community and with other agencies.
• Identifies and utilizes appropriate resources to enhance the quality of program services. Coordinates the garnering and documentation of in-kind.
• Assists with transportation services and ensures that paraprofessionals provide child safety and meet program regulations.
• Ensures that disabilities staffing and services meet child needs and program regulations.
• Assists Center Director in meeting safety and sanitation requirements in the facility during operations.
• Coordinates parent involvement, which includes welcoming, orientation, and assignments.
• Assists with center communications, coordinating center newsletters, and some public relations. May assist with communication and coordination between partner programs and other agencies.
• Assists with the development of the center calendar and the coordination of staff pre-service, center services, and work schedules.
• Assists with budget development and management of center funds in compliance with Head Start procedures.
• Assists to ensure the completion of required forms and reports (including employment materials, payroll, purchase orders, etc.) as directed by LSF.
• Assists with the maintenance of files and records on work activities and provided services.
• Develops knowledge of the communities and population served by the program.
• Provides training and presentations as necessary.
• Assures compliance with State, Federal, and program guidelines for education, health, and safety of enrolled children.
• Ensures that classroom staff recognizes the primary role of the parent and involves parents and families in services provided for their children. Ensures that classroom staff responds to the needs of each child and family in a timely, respectful, and supportive manner.
• Observes, monitors, reviews, and documents center compliance with State, Federal, and program guidelines regarding health, safety, and education issues.
• 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.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Other Functions:

Note: The duties above are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform some or all of the activities described above.

Physical Requirements:

• Mobility: Must be able to move around the classroom, center, and playground area frequently throughout the day. This includes walking, standing, bending, squatting, kneeling, and reaching as needed.
• Lifting: Ability to lift and carry children or classroom materials weighing up to 40 pounds occasionally.
• Visual and Auditory Acuity: Must have sufficient vision and hearing to supervise children and maintain awareness of their activities and surroundings. This includes the ability to observe children from a distance and hear sounds that indicate potential issues or emergencies.
• Manual Dexterity: Must have the ability to use hands and fingers to operate standard office equipment (computers, phones, printers) and educational tools.
• Speaking Ability: Clear speech is necessary for effective communication with children, staff, families, and community partners.
• Physical Stamina: Must be able to sustain energy and attention during prolonged periods of activity in a fast-paced, child-centered environment.
• Environment Tolerance: Ability to work in indoor and outdoor environments, including exposure to weather conditions during playground supervision or emergency situations.
• Emergency Response: Must be physically capable of responding quickly in emergency situations, including evacuating children and leading safety procedures.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made for otherwise qualified persons with disabilities.

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.

A Certificate of Completion of an approved 10 hour Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Pre-Schoolers or Infant/Toddlers Course; and a Certificate of Completion of a 30 hour Introductory Child Care Training Course or certificates of completion totaling 30 hours, which includes 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; and 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:

• One year experience supervising others; One year experience in a management or similar role and two years of experience working with Microsoft Word and Excel, email and the internet.
• 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 hire and 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 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 kneeled 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.
• Exceptional organization skills and attention to detail are required and the candidate must be able to meet designated deadlines.

Other:

Must demonstrate sensitivity to our service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Team player with co-workers and central service office staff.
• Cost effective program operations.
• Adherence to agency policies and management practices.
• Effective staff management and leadership.

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