Head Start Center Director

Academic Requirements

High School diploma, GED, or equivalency (Required). Associate’s degree preferred.

Must obtain State Center Director certification within the first three weeks of employment and complete a Child Development Certificate (CDA) in the age group most prevalent in the center they will lead. If attempted and not completed first time, may retake at employee expense within 60 days. Failure to obtain certificates results in separation.

Required:

Experience supervising staff in a licensed childcare center or home; experience in early childhood programs preferred.

• Ensure staff, consultants, contractors, and volunteers protect the physical and mental health and safety, preventing any child from being left alone or unsupervised.
• Hire, train, manage, and evaluate program personnel to support professional development and continuous program quality improvement.
• Manage delivery of high‑quality program services complying with state & federal standards through implementation, monitoring, and feedback of policies and procedures.
• Monitor compliance of record‑keeping systems for all physical and electronic program files, including confidentiality.
• Ensure center staff follow practices to keep children safe, report suspected abuse, supervise children at all times, and maintain conduct standards.
• Track and monitor child outcomes and quality assessment results center‑wide, including compliance with positive adult‑child interactions measured by the CLASS Pre‑K instrument.
• Support staff development, meeting minimum training requirements, continuing professional development, and wellness initiatives.
• Monitor and address attendance for each child, including direct contact with parents and case management.
• Engage families in partnership to identify needs, strengths, goals, and resources supporting well‑being, including safety, health, and economic stability.
• Meet with families to establish Family Service Plans, review progress, revise goals, and provide referrals as needed.
• Coordinate community referrals, avoiding duplication of effort or services.
• Ensure physical and electronic child files are current and organized.
• Monitor facility to ensure free of physical and environmental hazards.
• Report incidents within designated time frames per policy.
• Establish weekly staff meetings to coordinate and communicate.
• Prepare and submit reports before deadlines.

• Provide timely communication as first point of contact for center personnel, support staff, families, and community partners.
• Analyze program, financial, and child data and make development recommendations.
• Participate in events designed to inform, recruit, and engage families.
• Ensure teachers document in‑kind contributions from parents toward the non‑federal share requirement.
• Support development of grant applications, budgets, and required reports per guidelines.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Leadership skills demonstrated through professional presence and reinforcement of agency mission, vision, and culture.
• Courtesy and sensitivity in dealing with staff, children, and parents, managing difficult or emotional situations.
• Strong interpersonal skills, knowledge of HR policy requirements, and personnel management strategies.
• Ability to organize and prioritize duties in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to work independently on a flexible schedule including nights, holidays, and weekends.
• Sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the service population.
• Familiarity with state & federal Head Start regulations, performance standards, and guidelines.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Pass health examination.
• Confirm work eligibility status.
• Successful driving history check.
• Clear criminal background check.
• Lift up to 60 lb.; stand, sit, bend, squat, kneel, lift children.
• Exposure to communicable diseases and other hazards such as cigarette smoke, pets, and risky neighborhoods.
• Travel up to 50 % by car, bus, airplane, or train for conferences, meetings, or events.
• Occasional evenings and weekend work for events such as home visits, conferences, meetings, and field trips.

In accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and applicable federal/state laws (ADEA, ADA), it is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity and treat all employees equally regardless of race, religion, national origin, color, sex, age, citizenship status, veteran or military status, disability, or any other protected classification. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We do not sponsor or support sponsorship of employment visas at this time.