Head Start Collaboration Dir

Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you’ll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work‑life balance. Most importantly, you’ll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

The Office of Early Childhood and Out‑of‑School Learning (OECOSL) within the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) oversees early childcare, education, and out‑of‑school‑time programs. OECOSL’s vision is that every Indiana community will have a strong network of Early Care and Education and Out‑of‑School Time programs that support the child, the family and local schools. Programs will be high quality, affordable and accessible to enable families to work effectively to obtain economic self‑sufficiency.

Children will thrive in programs that meet their developmental and educational needs and make them feel welcome, encouraged, and supported. Professionals teaching and caring for children will have the resources, including training and education, needed to operate and maintain high quality programs.

This role, Indiana State Head Start Collaboration Director, fulfils the responsibilities of the Indiana State Head Start Collaboration Director as defined in the federal Head Start Reauthorization Act. Your role develops and maintains partnerships with Early Childhood System Stakeholders including state agencies, childcare and pre‑K programs, local school representatives, and local collaborators in order to build relationships and coordinate services to better serve Hoosier families and children.

Your role assists in state efforts to collect data on early learning programs and child outcomes, in supporting the expansion of a high‑quality workforce and professional development opportunities for early childhood program staff, and to promote Head Start participation in licensing and the quality rating and improvement system using the Paths to QUALITY system. You will plan and implement the annual Head Start Needs Assessment to identify specific areas of need and work towards Indiana specific priorities as identified by the annual Needs Assessment and agency goals.

You will develop and implement the Indiana 5‑year strategic plan for the Collaboration Office that includes goals and objectives that meet the federal requirements and provide measurable results. This role also completes regular reporting to the federal office and may administer multiple grants. Some in‑state travel required. The ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge of early childhood systems, child outcomes, early childhood professional development, and federal early childhood funding streams.

They will have broad knowledge of federal and state early childhood laws and rules including the Head Start performance standards.

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $59,800.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Establish and monitor program objectives, KPIs, and actions to achieve them.
• Direct, plan, or implement policies, objectives, or activities of organizations or businesses to ensure continuing operations, or to increase productivity.
• Interpret and explain policies, rules, regulations, or laws to organizations, government or corporate officials, or individuals.
• Recommend and implement corrective action plans to solve program problems.
• Prepare reports for approval, including those for funding or implementation of services.
• Direct or coordinate the financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency in the specified program.
• Ensure program requirements meet federal and state policies and grants compliance.
• Develop, train employees or agency consultants on program requirements and usage.
• Coordinate and deliver communication plans and communications.
• Serve on boards of directors and management committees.
• Ser…