Facilities & Program Specialist – Head Start​/Early Head Start

Location:

Chariton, IA – Travel throughout a five-county service area
Job Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Schedule:

Monday–Friday, approximately 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (flexibility as needed)
Make a Difference in the Lives of Children and Families!
SCICAP Head Start/Early Head Start is seeking a Facilities & Program Specialist to join our team! This position is an important part of ensuring our Head Start and Early Head Start centers are safe, well-maintained, compliant, and ready to provide high-quality services to children and families.
If you are organized, dependable, hands-on, and enjoy a position that combines facilities, health and safety, transportation, compliance, staff support, and program operations, we would love to hear from you!

The Facilities & Program Specialist works closely with the Head Start/Early Head Start Program Director and staff throughout our five-county service area. This position conducts compliance reviews, monitors facility and playground safety, coordinates maintenance and repairs, supports transportation safety and compliance, conducts site visits, and assists with staff training and orientation. This is a hands-on position with regular travel to Head Start/Early Head Start locations, so flexibility and the ability to work independently are important.

• Ensure Head Start/Early Head Start facilities are properly maintained, safe, and ready for children and staff.
• Work with center staff to identify and address facility concerns in a timely manner.
• Coordinate repairs and obtain bids when needed, including seeking at least three bids for repairs exceeding $10,000 when possible.
• Provide monthly reports to the Program Director regarding facility concerns and repair status.
• Collect and review monthly Facility/Playground Safety and Playground Maintenance checklists.
• Conduct annual health and safety checks at each center.
• Coordinate emergency preparedness activities and stay current with applicable OSHA requirements.

• Conduct ongoing compliance and case file reviews to ensure accuracy, completeness, and adherence to program and agency requirements.
• Identify areas needing improvement and assist staff in developing solutions that improve compliance, efficiency, and quality.
• Close out child files at the end of the school year and transport completed files to the Central Office.
• Conduct on-site observations and follow up on identified concerns.
• Maintain confidentiality of child, family, and staff information.

• Monitor required information for drivers and maintain current records for vehicles used to transport children.
• Monitor annual vehicle safety inspections and maintenance records.
• Conduct on-site observations with bus monitors twice each year.
• Ensure Transportation Kits are properly maintained and include required safety materials.
• Monitor completion of bus evacuation drills and pedestrian safety training.
• Monitor accident and incident reports and ensure required information is entered into Child Plus.
• Train and orient new staff, including new bus monitors.
• Monitor that parents receive required Pedestrian Safety Training.

• Provide new staff orientation and training related to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Present updated procedures, safety information, and materials to staff.
• Work collaboratively with center staff and Central Office staff to address concerns and improve program operations.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Program Director.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience working with children and staff.
• Knowledge of mandatory reporting requirements.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Basic…