MISSION:
Gads Hill Center, a social service organization established in 1898, creates opportunities for children and their families to build a better life through education, access to resources and community engagement.
At Gads Hill Center we envision a community in which all children benefit from healthy, financially stable households that support their early learning and growth. We invest in the potential of children and families through early childhood education, youth programs, and mental health supports. Ultimately, Gads Hill Center builds a community where all families can help their children have access to quality education in order to succeed in school and life.
JOB SUMMARY
The Associate Director of Program Operations & Quality provides programmatic and administrative leadership to the Education, Compliance, and Quality Improvement Departments to ensure alignment with the organization's mission, vision, and strategic plan. The Associate Director of Program Operations & Quality works closely with the Associate Director of Compliance and in ensuring that Center Based programs meet all quality program requirements per Federal Head Start Performance Standards, local and state contract requirements and agency policies and procedures. This position is responsible for the co -development of systems and procedures to ensure that Center Based programs meet all quality standards in collaboration with the Director of Early Childhood Education. In coordination with the Director of Early Childhood Programs and Associate Director of Compliance requirements per Federal Head Start Performance Standards, local and state contract requirements and agency policies and procedures (Pl/PFA/HS/EHS/EHS-CCP).
Responsibilities include the ensuring execution of quality trauma-informed and culturally appropriate service delivery of both directly operated and Partner Network Center based programs. This role congruently supports hiring/onboarding program staff, ensuring proper supervision, and professional development of center-based staff. Through strategic supervision, direction, and mentoring, the role effectively articulates and leads the development of high-quality program services, policies, procedures, and integration of mental health, family engagement, and civic engagement across Center based programs. This position serves on the Gads Hill Center Leadership Team and works diligently to ensure that the program and activities offered across all program models are impactful and of the highest quality. This leadership role requires significant experience in child development/education, a strong background in leadership, program planning, supervision, and management.
DUTIBS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Works in alignment with Site Managers and Education Manager components, ensuring the consistent implementation of the Creative Curriculum and Pre-K Bilingual instruction in all classrooms.
- Supervises the directly Operated Site Managers and Partner Network Manager responsible for center-based programs.
- Works in alignment with the Family Engagement Coordinator as it relates to family involvement component including health services, educational support and family literacy, multicultural focus, and program activities.
- Works in Alignment with the Director of Early Childhood Program Ensures and Associate Director of Education that center based program staff consistently follow all disabilities referral and service procedures to ensure children receive developmental and disability screenings, as necessary, and that referrals for evaluations are completed in a timely manner.
- Works in alignment with the Family Support Specialist Manager to ensure center-based programs are providing quality family supports as it relates to Federal Head Start Standards.
- Monitors recruitment and enrollment goals to ensure center based programs are fully enrolled.
- Works in-collaboration with the Director of Early Childhood to conduct a Community Needs Assessment every three years, as well as an update during the intervening years.
- Collaborates with the Director of Early Childhood to lead the annual program self-assessment.
- Works in collaboration with the Director of Early Childhood and Family Engagement coordinator to facilitate and coordinate training for the Parent Policy Committee and addresses parent concerns and feedback.
- Attends meetings of the Parent Policy Committee.
- Ensures that day to day operations of early childhood programs are professionally and efficiently organized and administered.
- Directs, implements, and evaluates programmatic plans and procedures adhering to EHS/HS federal requirements.
- Works in collaboration with the Director of Early Childhood to develop and facilitate program reports, remediation of any non-compliance issues, self-evaluations, management plans and staff development in a timely, effective, and accurate manner.
- Promotes the sharing of best practices and across sites and programs and monitor implementation.
- Develops and creates program initiatives that align with Gads Hill Center Pillars and theory of change is effective within center-based programs.
- Fosters and cultivates a collaborative learning environment consisting of program leaders at all sites.
- Conducts performance evaluations and professional development plans for both Site and Partner Network Managers staff to ensure program effectiveness.
- Works in-collaboration with Education Manager for education compliance throughout early childhood programs.
- Supervises and provides leadership to the managers and respective teams of the following programs: Center based, Partner Network, as well as any assigned consultants.
- Assures transition practices are in place to assist families transitioning into Early Head Start, Early Head Start families transitioning into Head Start and/or the next educational setting.
- Works with Associate Director of Compliance to plan, review, and assess how education and disabilities services are integrated with health, mental health, dental health nutrition and family and community engagement
- Participates in Partner Network meetings with Partner Network Sites Director/Owners and contract reviews for Partner Network sites.
- Represents Gads Hill Center at city, state, and national levels in policy matters pertaining to children 0-5 years and their families by participating in committees of interest outside of Gads Hill Center.
- Ensures the highest quality programming so that the early childhood programs are a recognized and trusted leader
in early learning across the city.
- Displays strong ethical and professional behavior and standards when working with personnel and other agencies associated with the program.
In addition to the responsibilities listed above, all Gads Hill Center employees are responsible for the following:
- Participating in agency outreach and recruitment events, including evenings and weekends.
- Participating in supervision meetings and workshops within the agency and outside (if applicable).
- Participating in civic engagement activities that advance the mission of Gads Hill Center.
- Advancing parent leadership development.
- Performing other duties; as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
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- Bachelor's degree required in Early Childhood Education or related field; Master's degree preferred.
- Must have at least three years of experience in leadership, program management, and supervision of similar positions.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) and bicultural preferred.
- Must have a valid Illinois driver's license, car, and auto insurance.
- Ability to pass a criminal record and child abuse/neglect registry check
POSITION DETAILS:
Schedule: Full-Time Status: Salary
Location: All Locations
