Center Director (Principal)

Job Title: Principal

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary Grade: Grade 9

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

Reporting To: Vice President of Program Operations & COO

POSITION SUMMARY

The Principal is responsible for ensuring high-quality Early Head Start and Head Start education including the administration and day-to-day operations of the Head Start Campus are in compliance with BCHS standards, Head Start Performance Standards, Childcare Licensing Minimum Standards, and other federal, state, and local regulatory requirements. This position is responsible for the direct supervision of all campus staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Directly supervises teaching and campus staff, ensuring all staff follow BCHS policies and procedures.
• Comply with the company code of conduct and other applicable regulations and requirements, including Head Start Performance Standards, BCHS policies and procedures, Childcare Minimum Standards, and other federal, state, and local regulatory requirements. Ensures these standards are met and maintained in the day-to-day operation of the Head Start Facility.
• Ensure the safety, supervision, and well-being of the children and staff always; provide precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of children and staff.
• Work closely with supervisor to interpret the philosophy and programming techniques that are incorporated into the over-all program.
• Work closely with classroom teachers and program staff to ensure program operations are supporting and meeting program goals, objectives and learning outcomes.
• Oversee the maintenance and repair of indoor/outdoor equipment which children and staff use. This includes maintenance of the Campus inventory records.
• Cooperate with the President/CEO, Vice-Presidents, Content Directors, staff and consultants in carrying out all aspects of the program.
• Make home visits as deemed necessary and prepare reports of each visit for the child’s individual file/database.
• Monitor and coordinate completion of all data (home visits, parent teacher conferences, lesson plans, screenings, assessments, attendance, meal counts, etc.)
• Ensure that services are provided, and reports are prepared for all the children at the campus (maintain the children’s individual records/database).
• Support the Family Case Manager to ensure families complete health services through Medicaid, another health care system or Head Start. Determine that a child’s well childcare is up to date. Assist those not on a health care system to find a source of continuous, assessable health care.
• Ensure that daily family style meals with the children and staff occur.
• Ensure that the curriculum is carried out as outlined.
• Report absences of personnel at assigned campuses, collect, and submit time sheets Human Resources.
• Submit sick leave, vacation, overtime and personal time to the immediate supervisor for authorization.
• Submit all food bills to the Department of Business Operations.
• Coordinate the in-kind program and monitor the campus in-kind goal. Submit the in-kind report to the Department of Business Operations.
• Supervise and direct the Childcare Food Program (CCFP) guidelines, reporting, and completion of forms.
• Support and attend BCHS’s workshops and/or special events/projects.
• Complete the monthly program report and the annual Program Information Report.
• Attend Policy Council, Leadership, and Principal Meetings.
• Monitor patterns of children’s absenteeism.
• Ensure full enrollment is maintained.
• Ensure monthly parent committee meetings.
• Conduct daily classroom walk throughs and observations.
• Attend all staff meeting and in-service meetings.
• Work for a friendly and open relationship with the parents at all times (carry out the activities outlined in the Family Engagement Content area plan)
• Understand campus budget to ensure operational costs are consistent with the fiscal policy of BCHS.
• Address and collaborate with supervisor mitigating concerns, inclusive but not limited to classroom management, behavior management, child health and safety, child development, and any other concerns requiring intervention.
• Coach and support staff to ensure they have the necessary tools and resources needed to optimize performance, ensure established program goals, and achieve operational success.
• Organize and deliver regularly scheduled staff meetings to communicate present, on-going, and future updates of pertinent information, projects, and initiatives.
• Communicate with direct reports in periodic one-on-one meetings.
• Draft and issue annual performance evaluations, along with supporting documentation; work with staff to set goals during evaluation periods.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work and interact with diverse groups of people.
• Ability to contribute to building a positive team spirit; put success of team above own interests; support everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Ability to build a positive report with children, parents/guardians, and staff.
• Ability to exercise appropriate judgment, discretion, maintain the confidentiality of all Brazoria County Head Start (BCHS) stakeholders.
• Strong stress management, time management and organizational skills with the ability to pay close attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and projects on-schedule with minimal supervision using appropriate judgment.
• Strong written and verbal communication, including preparation of quality well written documents, reports, and correspondence.
• Ability to treat people with respect and dignity; work with integrity and ethically uphold the Agency's mission and values.
• Ability to work independently and within a team.
• Ability to take initiative with limited supervision.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or an AA Degree in in Early Childhood Development
• Three (3) or more years of experience teaching in a childcare center.
• Management/supervisory experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, Child Development, or closely related field.
• Five (5) or more years of experience with a Head Start or a similar School readiness program.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

Safety is one of our core company values. When necessary, employees may be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE). The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Physically fit to endure 8-to-10-hour workdays.
• Prolonged periods standing and walking throughout the classroom.
• Must be able to lift up to 45 pounds at a time.
• Physically capable of pushing up to 45 pounds as needed throughout the day.
• Must be able to walk, sit and stand on the floor throughout the day, and bend, kneel, or squat to be at eye level with children.
• Able to see, hear and speak with children to ensure children’s health and safety.

Other:

Must possess a valid Texas driver’s license and have access to a vehicle which is insured as required by the Texas Financial Responsibility Law.