Job Announcement

Responsible for the planning, oversight, coordination, and implementation of Early Head Start Family Child Care within Fairfax County's Department of Neighborhood and Community Services Early Childhood Division. The ideal candidate is a strategic leader with experience in early childhood education, who can build trusting relationships through effective communication, reliability, and collaboration. The prospective candidate is flexible and able to pivot intentionally in a changing environment. They believe in Head Start’s mission of promoting school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of culturally inclusive education, health, nutrition, and social services. In this position, you will:

• Manage through effective use of financial and human resources to achieve quality programming and safe learning environments for children and families and evaluate the effectiveness of program activities.
• Monitor service delivery through statistical analysis, assessment tools, and regular oversight to ensure compliance with the federal Head Start Program Performance Standards, state, and local regulations.
• Oversee the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and program reviews.
• Monitor and report on the outcomes of services within Early Head Start Family Child Care.
• Develop and implement plans and programs to support continuous quality improvement within the program.
• Establish new and strengthen existing partnerships to support program services.
• Participate as a member of the Head Start management team to identify program priorities and contribute to the development of short- and long-term goals related to Head Start’s mission.
• Supervise and lead staff through mentoring, providing feedback on performance, recommending appropriate professional development, and promoting teamwork.
• Assess the professional development needs of family child care educators, coordinate learning opportunities and provide individualized technical assistance.
• Collaborate with County and community agencies to ensure the needs of staff, families, and partners are being met.

Duties are performed under the supervision of the Quality Assurance Specialist (Program Administrator I).

Schedule: Some evening and weekend work may be required to satisfy program requirements.

Illustrative Duties

• Plans and coordinates delegate and grantee program Head Start activities which include areas of early childhood development and health and disabilities services;
• Develops, oversees, and administers the annual program budget including revisions and amendments to ensure proper funding utilization;
• Represents the Department during negotiations with Head Start funding agencies;
• Plans and develops new program proposals;
• Monitors federal legislation and performance standards and ensures that the County’s programs are consistently in compliance;
• Directs, develops, organizes, and conducts the annual monitoring and self-assessment of delegate and grantee agency Head Start programs;
• Oversees the updating of the annual early childhood plan and curriculum in conjunction with parents, and delegate and grantee agency staff;
• Coordinates and directs the development and implementation of Head Start training plans with delegate and grantee agency directors;
• Coordinates and provides on-site training for delegate and grantee agency teaching staff and oversees the development of training modules;
• Provides technical assistance to delegate and grantee agencies, committees, and advisory councils;
• Directs and coordinates special projects as needed.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of administration and management principles and practices as they apply to early childhood education and child/family development programs;
• Knowledge of group/team dynamics;
• Ability to coordinate the activities and interests of community and local jurisdictional groups;
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and County laws, regulations, and ordinances pertaining to the management and administration of Head Start programs;
• Skill in the use of computer hardware and software;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with applicants, employees, County officials and/or citizen groups;
• Ability to gather, analyze and present data;
• Ability to speak and write effectively;
• Ability to work as a team member.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")

Graduation from an accredited four year college or university with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, psychology, social work, or a related human services field; plus three years of professional level experience in programs specializing in child care or early childhood education; A master’s degree may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and a Child Protective Services Registry check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree in one of the following disciplines: Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Psychology, or Social Work
• Professional level experience in:
  • Programs specializing in early childhood education
  • Monitoring service delivery through statistical analysis, assessment tools, and oversight to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations
  • Program management through effective use of financial and human resources
  • Program planning through the development of short- and long-term goals
  • Supervision and leadership of early childhood staff and contractors
  • Collaboration with diverse stakeholders to expand and improve program services
• Demonstrated ability to promote staff development and well-being
• Experience working with children ages birth through 36 months and their families
• Experience with research-based early childhood curricula
• Proficiency in using human services database(s)/automated system(s)
• Excellent oral and writing skills

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must have sufficient mobility to travel by automobile to grantee, delegates, family child care sites, and community agencies. Must be able to communication effectively in person and over the phone. Must be able to lift a minimum of 25 pounds. Ability to speak in an understandable manner in person and on the phone. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel Interview and may include a practical exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39.8% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.

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