Head Start Center Director (Child Development Center)
3 days ago
West Palm Beach
Job Description Date posted: April 9, 2026 Pay: $69,000.00 - $72,000.00 per year Job description: The Child Development Center Director position exists to oversee the daily operations, ensuring compliance with federal Performance Standards, state licensing, and fiscal regulations for children ages 3-5 years of age and preparing them for entry into kindergarten. Provide overall leadership in the planning, design, implementation, and evaluation of the operations for a Head Start Program in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards and 2007 Head Start Act mandates and requirements. The position requires contact and interaction with the Federal Regional Office, licensing agencies, community agencies/partners, local public-school administrators, and state/local government agencies. In addition, this position is responsible for the oversight of grant management, budget, operations, Head Start 10 management systems, performance benchmarks, training and technical assistance, legal, and program governance. Core Responsibilities Program Administration & Monitoring • Provides guidance and leadership to staff that emphasizes the importance of achieving program requirements and high standards of quality., • Responsible for meeting program performance measures in ensuring the following: 80% of children are preschool ready, meet and/or exceed the state satisfactory Infant/Toddler Environmental Rating Scale., • Prepares and completes funding application annually (e.g., program narrative, budget, budget narrative, performance measures, and training/technical assistant plan)., • Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates activities of Head Start day-to-day operations to ensure compliance with program, statutory, and regulatory requirements (e.g., education, family services, ERSEA, disabilities, CCFP, health, nutrition, mental health, transportation, and facilities)., • Oversees, develops, maintains, and monitors all contractual and service agreements (MOU) with appropriate service providers and community partners (e.g., LEA, Part-C, Mental Health, Dental, Health, etc.)., • Ensures the program maintains a 100% funded enrollment; 10% disability enrollment, and meets the 45- and 90-day screening requirement according to the Head Start Performance Standards/Regulations at all times., • Oversees the planning, coordination, preparation, and implementation of successful federal, state, and local audit reviews. (i.e., Health Department, local center licensures, etc.), • Responsible for the dissemination, reporting, and ongoing planning for program data to ensure staff are analyzing and implementing corrective action steps (e.g., MBI, compliance plans, child outcomes, family outcomes, budget shortfalls, etc.)., • Assures remediation for any non-compliances discovered with the grantee through assessments, audits, and compliance plans by incorporating action steps to ensure compliance., • Responsible for coordination, implementation, and oversight of the strategic planning process, for which long- and short-term goals are reviewed and established in conjunction with the governing bodies., • Implements, monitors, and provides direction for the coordination and implementation of the agency work plan (MBO), policy and procedures, and ongoing monitoring and planning activities., • Develops, implements, and maintains an ongoing evaluation system to ensure quality control of HS operations along with continuous quality improvement of services and management., • Organizes and facilitates all parent and advisory committees., • Maintains national, state, and local accreditations for HS program (e.g., NAEYC, Program of Excellence, QRIS, National Family Child Care Home Association Inc.)., • Responsible for the oversight and implementation of the annual self-assessment process, and preparing a summary report for the Policy Council, YWCA Board of Directors, and the executive leadership., • Develops a monitoring system that will ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulatory processes, performance standards/regulations, and licensing requirements., • Conducts and participates in monthly program management meetings., • Attends Head Start association/board meetings, conferences, and workshops on the federal, state, and local levels as deemed necessary., • Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start children, families, and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures., • Attends all required staff and parent meetings and activities., • Performs other duties as assigned. Program Governance • Responsible for developing and recruiting Policy Council members to ensure there is representation of parents and community members according to the Head Start Performance Standards, 2007 Head Start Act, and program governance bylaws., • Establishes and maintains an effective working relationship with members of the Policy Council to ensure adequate flow of information is communicated and disseminated regarding budget/financial statements, grant applications, self-assessment, selection criteria, bylaws, personnel, program performance/outcomes, community assessment, program information, and annual report., • Completes and submits written reports to the YWCA Board of Directors (BOD) and the Policy Council regarding the fiscal and programmatic status of the program and administrative activities., • Responsible for the dissemination of communication from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Head Start Regional Office, funding sources, and external audits to the Policy Council as required., • Responsible for monitoring and tracking monthly expenditures, cost allocation plan, analyzing variation from projections, non-federal share, and initiating corrective action as deemed necessary., • Meets with the YWCA Executive Team to ensure budget oversight., • Monitors and tracks the program’s non-federal share activities/funds to ensure that the amount required is achieved for each month and grant cycle. In addition, meeting with staff, parents, community, and Policy Council to develop strategies for collecting and increasing the amount of nonfederal share., • Supervises the work of staff by scheduling, assigning, and reviewing work, providing training and counseling, and evaluating performance to ensure work activities are properly carried out., • Manages the hiring and termination of employees, complying with applicable laws, regulations, agency personnel policies and procedures, as well as acquiring approval from the policy council in accordance with personnel addendum and shared decision-making policies and procedures., • Evaluate staff performance continually. Submit Performance appraisals after 120 days for each new employee and annually thereafter., • Arrange staff schedules to meet the child/staff ratio at all times., • Provides technical assistance for staff to assure the health, safety, and positive growth development of the children, their families, and the staff., • Responsible for the management and implementation of the program's training and technical assistance plan to ensure professional development and training benchmarks are achieved., • Responsible for developing and establishing new community partnerships that support and enhance the program’s continuous quality improvement, innovation, and non-federal share activities., • Works with other organizations in the community to foster collaboration and promote Head Start initiatives., • Responsible for building collaborative relationships that support family well-being and create a link to health, mental health, dental, disability, social services, school partnerships, community stakeholders, universities, civic organizations, and government entities., • Attending staff meetings, in-service trainings, and professional workshops as scheduled or needed, • Strong experientially-based understanding and talents in assembling and managing a program providing for early childhood developmental needs and sound practices;, • Strong abilities in personnel and public relations management;, • Excellent speaking and writing abilities; leadership talent combining charismatic qualities, use of demonstration and example; self-starting ability and minimal needs for direct supervision; sound analytical abilities in assessing needs of program for present and future circumstances;, • Ability to plan, maintain, and adhere to budgets; ability to engender trust and confidence of parents, community, and funding sources; timely execution of tasks assigned in accordance with time deadlines., • Skills in problem-solving, conducting group facilitation, and the ability to work well with others., • Skills in data analysis and accurate reporting., • BA/BS degree is required in Early Childhood, Elementary Education, or an equivalent combination of training and experience., • 40 hours Department of Children training Child Development Associate (CDA), • Relevant experience in Early Head Start and/or early childhood practice in a day care setting or Family Child Care Home required, along with successive levels of ascending responsibility, including: direct care in the classroom or alternative child care settings, personnel supervision and training, and administrative responsibilities, including: budget administration, grant proposal development, public relations/community networking., • Successful completion of a Level II background screening and drug screening before hiring. Benefits: • 403(b), • Dental insurance, • Employee assistance program, • Health insurance, • Life insurance, • Paid time off, • Retirement plan, • Vision insurance Education: • Bachelor's (Required) Experience: • Early childcare & supervisory role: 1 year (Required) Work Location: In person Company DescriptionNonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.Nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.