Director of Early Childhood & Community Services (ECCS)

Allegheny Intermediate Unit
United States, Pennsylvania, Homestead
475 East Waterfront Drive (Show on map)
Nov 17, 2024
Allegheny Intermediate Unit Director of Early Childhood & Community Services (ECCS) Position Summary The Director for Early Childhood & Community Services is accountable for the strategic visioning and administration of the Early Childhood & Community Services Division. The position serves as a member of the Executive Leadership Team and collaborates with other AIU administrators and community agencies to provide leadership and support. The Director is responsible for providing leadership, supervising, and directing the programs within the Division as well as additional organizational and/or program-specific activities as directed. The Director is accountable for planning, implementing, and administering a comprehensive program to ensure the optimum delivery of services to early childhood, families, alternative programming and other educational and community entities. Duties and Responsibilities Provides leadership for the Early Childhood & Community Services Division which oversees early childhood education (Head Start and PreK Counts), family and community services, adult education, the education of children and families experiencing homelessness, and alternative education programming. Serves as a member of the Executive Leadership Team and provides support and assistance to other team members as needed. Conveys board directives and executive director's decisions and actions to staff as appropriate. Communicates, assists, and implements the development of programs and services in response to emerging trends, funding opportunities, and state and federal legislation, partnering with community leaders, school superintendents, and appropriate personnel regarding issues that will impact and enhance community programs and services Develops and maintains a collaborative network with state, county, and local agencies and organizations that include but are not limited to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), Allegheny County, behavioral and mental health services, workforce development providers, the District Attorney's Office and court systems, higher education institutions, and local foundations. Develops, facilitates, nurtures, and preserves internal collaboration among programs within the Early Childhood & Community Services Division, other internal programs and external programs, to enhance opportunities for sharing resources and expertise, and to enable AIU Early Childhood & Community Services programs to partner with external agencies and providers. Keeps abreast of state and federal regulations, policies, and legislation with regard to Early Childhood & Community Services in order to assist program directors with decision making regarding best practices. Responsible for the hiring, leading, coaching and mentoring of all Early Childhood & Community Services Division administrative, teaching, and support positions to ensure that the highest qualified individuals are staffing and leading the services and programs of the Division. Motivates, challenges and supports a high achieving team to continue in their professional growth. Oversees the coordination of the Early Childhood & Community Services Division operations with the fiscal, human resources, and technology operations in order to provide the necessary support for efficient and effective program functioning. Plans and provides strategic visioning and leadership that will regularly evaluate existing programs, processes and procedures and staffing, researches and implements new solutions and programs and recommends changes to enhance the services of the Early Childhood, Family and Community Services Division and other AIU services. Keeps up-to-date and communicates with the Executive Director, Executive Leadership Team, internal and external groups about emerging best practices and innovative trends in educational reform, from birth to adulthood, so that the AIU and school partners can be in a ready position to implement educational change. Plans and/or presents informational programs on facilitation, communications, and team building in order to expedite reform initiatives. Assists in negotiations of ECCS Collective Bargaining Agreements and supports implementation of these agreements to ensure supervisors and administrators are compliant with requirements and promoting a positive working environment. Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the executive director or designee. Qualifications Bachelor's degree from an accredited higher education institution is required; Advanced Degree preferred. Minimum of 10 years of leadership experience demonstrating increased responsibility. Experience with social service, community impact, and nonprofit organizations preferred. Demonstrated experience in program development and fiscal management. Effective communication and presentation skills. Demonstrated record of successful leadership in execution of programs, strategies, and initiatives Ability to work collaboratively and build credible relationships with internal programs and external stakeholders; able to promote high expectations and high quality for all staff. Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people, including diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Demonstrated knowledge of principles of administration, personnel selection, supervision, training and evaluation. Ability to develop, nurture, promote and sustain a trusting and positive organizational culture and work environment. Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google tools, Zoom, and other productivity/analysis/presentation software. Knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations and policies affecting educational practices for early childhood and general education. Ability to analyze and resolve complex issues, while remaining logical and interpersonal. Additional Requirements: Current Act 114, Act 34 and Act 151 required prior to an offer (Must be dated within 1 year of hire date). School Personnel Health Record (Form H511.340) must be completed and received by Human Resources prior to hire date. Working Conditions: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Sitting for extended period of time Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling 35 pounds Ability to kneel, crouch, bend and reach to retrieve and handle teaching materials and supplies Moving fingers and hands in a repetitive manner Ability to speak clearly and distinctly when communicating with limited English speaking customers Hearing clearly Adequate vision to perform duties The information contained in this job description is for compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned. Disclaimer: The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of this position. Reports To: Executive Director To Apply: Create an on-line application and upload a cover letter, resume and transcripts at the AIU Career Site. Please send any questions to: recruitment@aiu3.net The Allegheny Intermediate Unit is an equal opportunity education institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, handicap, or limited English proficiency in its educational programs, services, facilities, activities or employment practices as required by Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Section 504 Regulations of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1975, Section 204 Regulations of the 1984 Carl D. Perkins Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, or any other applicable federal or state statute. ???????