Director, Early Childhood Education

POSITION:
Director of Early Childhood Services

TYPE OF POSITION:
230-day contract
Hours may vary based on program needs

REPORTS TO:
Assistant Superintendent of PK-5 Instruction

SUPERVISION:
Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education licensed staff, itinerant and other special education licensed staff, classroom and special education paraprofessionals, clerical staff, custodial staff and other non-licensed staff

SALARY: $115,000 - $130,000/year

QUALIFICATIONS:
Required
* Graduate Degree in Special Education, Special Education Administration, Early Childhood Family Studies, or a closely related field
* Director of Special Education license
* Early Childhood Special Education licensure or Teacher of Early Childhood Education or Pre-Kindergarten teacher
* Three to five years full time equivalent teaching or relevant professional level early childhood services school experience
Preferred
* Multiple Special Education teaching licenses
* Regular Education teaching license
* Early Childhood Birth to 3rd grade teaching license

POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the direction of the Assistant Superintendent of PK-5 Instruction the Early Childhood Administrator will manage Early Childhood Services. Early Childhood Services include Early Childhood Family Education, Community Education Preschool/School Readiness, Early Childhood Special Education services for Infants and Toddlers and Preschoolers, and the Young Learners Program.

The Early Childhood Administrator is the educational leader of the Early Childhood Center and associated programs and is responsible for keeping current on educational trends that affect early childhood and parenting programs.

The Early Childhood Administrator will provide assistance to building, program and district administrators, teachers, parents, and the community for early childhood services to children, including children with disabilities.

The Early Childhood Administrator is responsible for the overall operation of his/her school/program and the promotion of an atmosphere conducive to learning.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Program Improvement
* Collaborates with district administrators in the development and implementation of policies and procedures to create seamless growth in the academic success of young children ages 0-5 and their parents.
* Provides leadership in the development, coordination, implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive program of early childhood services. Writes program and funding proposals to support program improvement.
* Develops and implements a collaborative process for identifying early childhood goals, planning and implementing strategies to achieve goals and assessing progress toward goals.
* Encourages a collaborative service delivery model in early childhood programs and services in each building.
Curriculum/Instruction
* Provides leadership and technical assistance in the organization, selection, and use of curriculum, instructional strategies, classes, materials, and other supports necessary for children and families served in early childhood programs, including children with disabilities.
* Plans and implements summer school and extended school year programs for special education children, as appropriate.
* Serves as an early childhood and a special education resource at program staffings, as appropriate, and requested by building and program administrators.
* Advocates for facilities and resources necessary for effective early childhood services.
Staff
* Recruits, screens, interviews and hires licensed and non-licensed staff. Networks with training institutions for the recruitment, training, and evaluation of early childhood and parent educator candidates.
* Supervises licensed and non-licensed personnel including workload analysis, staff development, evaluation of performance, corrective action and/or discipline, staff assignment, and interpreting the negotiated agreements, district policies, and building rules. In collaboration with the executive director and community education director, recommends professional staff for tenure status.
* Advises personnel on matters of child protection, safety, curriculum, and operational matters.
* Assists the building and program administrators with the efficient scheduling and assignment of early childhood services.
* Arranges for early childhood services long call substitute teachers.
* Directs the development and implementation of staff development activities as defined in the Site Improvement Plan in accordance with district and Board of Education goals and early childhood services staff development plan.
* Directs or provides staff with training regarding state and federal rules and regulations and operational procedures.
Student Services
* Manages the scheduling and assignment of early childhood students based on building/class schedules, individual needs and available resources. Collaborates with building and program administrators as needed.
* Consults with staff and administrators to determine appropriate placement and programming for young children, including children with disabilities.
* Monitors instructional practice and IEP/IFSP development for consistency with state and federal rule. Serves as administrative designee at IEP/IFSP meetings.
Communication/Involvement
* Communicates with colleagues, teachers, support staff, parents, community members and legislators relative to goals, programming, and the needs of young children and their families served by early childhood services.
* Represents the district on committees, regional and state committees related to early childhood education
* Collaborates with community agencies and foundations that focus on young children, parents, and families, e.g. Head Start, Success by Six, ChildCare Choices, Thrive, Initiative Foundation.
* Responds to written, telephone, and personal requests for information from children, staff, parents, community groups, governmental organizations, and media.
* Disseminates information to parents and staff about community resources and activities for young children and their families, including an effective web and cable TV presence.
* Plans and conducts regularly scheduled staff and program planning meetings with Early Childhood Family Education, Community Education Preschool/School Readiness, Early Childhood Special Education services for Infants and Toddlers and Preschoolers, the Young Learners Program, Assessment Team, and non-licensed staff.
* Promotes parent and community involvement through committee participation, written communications and personal meetings.
* Assists in conflict resolution with staff, support personnel, parents, and community agencies. This may include responding to complaints made by parents and/or providing leadership in conciliation sessions.
* Communicates with building and program administrators to ensure that they are current and informed on early childhood and family programs.
* Communicates effectively with children, colleagues, teachers, support staff, parents, and community members in the performance of professional responsibilities.
Management
* Manages the operational functions of Roosevelt Early Childhood Center including facility maintenance, capital outlay, custodial supervision and building safety. Directs health, transportation, safety and other supportive programs.
* Monitors early childhood programs, including special education for compliance with federal and state rules and regulations. Ensures the accurate preparation of local, state, and federal reports
* Oversees building budgets (facility, capital outlay and program budgets, ECFE, School Readiness, ECSE, ESY). Collaborates with Community Education Director on preschool screening.
* Assists in the development of the strategic plan for School Readiness, ECFE, Student Services, including the Special Education Continuous Improvement and Monitoring Process. Monitors and reports progress. Assists in short and long range planning for early childhood services by providing leadership in the development of and implementation and/or modification of long and short term goals.
District and Professional Responsibilities
* Maintains a current knowledge of research, best practices, and community resources in early childhood education and special education. Attend meetings and workshops necessary to ensure personal professional growth.
* Leads stakeholders through collaborative decision-making utilizing district adopted frameworks.
* Adheres to unit/district/state/federal policies, rules, mandates, procedures, and assignments.
* Upholds the ethical standards of the profession.
* Shares the responsibility with other employees for supporting and promoting the educational goals of the district.

Other duties as assigned

PHYSICAL FACTORS:
* Frequent: walking, standing, sitting, hearing, talking, and seeing

BENEFITS: We offer a comprehensive benefits package for employees working a minimum of 30 hours per week*. This includes health, dental, and vision insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care, as well as life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage, and long-term disability insurance. (*Temporary, seasonal, and substitute positions not eligible.)

All Employees of Saint Cloud School District 742 are responsible to support District goals, to work collaboratively and respectfully with diverse populations of staff, students and parents and to model and promote a welcoming working and learning environment. Employees are expected to support and adapt to change and to demonstrate commitment to continuous performance improvement. Employees are responsible to establish and maintain effective communication with students, teachers, support staff, colleagues and parents, respect confidential matters, encourage a safe and secure environment throughout the District, and to be dependable and accountable in the performance of their work.
St. Cloud School District 742 prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. The notice of nondiscrimination is located at https://www.isd742.org/about-us/title-ix. It is the prerogative of the District to assign staff so as to best meet the needs of the District.

For inquiries, please contact jobs@isd742.org