CLOSED - Director of Early Childhood Services - Monticello Area Community Action Agency
This position closed January 2, 2023.
Position: Director of Early Childhood Services
Reports to: Executive Director
Position Status: Exempt, Salaried; 40 hours/week
Salary: $75,000 - $82,000 ($1,000 signing bonus) with benefits
Location: Position is based in Charlottesville, VA. This position requires at least three days per week in the office and will regularly require more due to program needs.
To apply: Deadline to apply is December 31, 2023. The target start date is mid-February. See the link to apply at the bottom of the listing.
MACAA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage people from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. If you require accommodations during the application or hiring process, please email lindsey@thesparkmill.com.
About MACAA
At Monticello Area Community Action Agency (MACAA), we believe that when we work together, we’re able to create opportunities for all people to thrive, build strong, resilient communities, and ensure a more equitable society. We strive to cultivate teams with diverse backgrounds, skills, and perspectives that reflect the diversity of those we serve and enable us to live out our mission. We’re committed to creating an inclusive environment in which each team member can be the best version of themselves.
By educating, inspiring, and advocating for those in need, our team works alongside community partners to leverage our collective resources and experiences. As a result, families in Albemarle, Fluvanna, Louisa, Nelson, and the City of Charlottesville are engaged in programs and services that build on their strengths – now and in the future.
Promise of Community Action: Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: We are committed to championing diversity, equity, and inclusion within our agency, our programs and services, and as an advocate for change within the communities we serve.
Position Summary
The Director of Early Childhood Services will lead MACAA’s Early Childhood Education and Development impact area, focusing on programs and services that aim to educate and empower young children and their families, break cycles of generational poverty, and foster thriving futures. In this role, you will oversee our Early Head Start and Head Start programming, After School programming, and the development and implementation of new, innovative early childhood programs that respond to expressed community needs.
You will report to the Executive Director and directly supervise 4-5 staff members. As a member of our senior leadership team, you will support the strategic direction and mission of our organization and uphold the values and principles that serve as the foundation of community action.
Essential Functions
Lead the strategic implementation and ongoing innovation of Early Head Start, Head Start, After School, and other early childhood education and care programs with a commitment to preparing students for school and for life.
Develop, train, inspire, and lead diverse teams that are motivated and equipped to meet the unique and evolving needs of children we serve.
Champion whole-family programming, trauma-informed care, and a family-centered coaching approach as cornerstones of our early childhood programs.
Ensure programs and services are safe, accessible, and culturally relevant, taking special care to note the geographic barriers of transportation in communities experiencing low income.
Collaborate with industry leaders, community partners, staff, and families to innovate our programs and comprehensive services.
Cultivate and nurture strategic community partnerships that advance our mission, namely our local school district partners to promote kindergarten readiness and the successful transition of children to elementary school.
Champion a data-driven culture by using program and community data to make informed, timely decisions that impact the direction of our programming.
Oversee and manage budgets and financial reporting for programs and services totaling approximately $3.5M annually.
Lead grant writing efforts and submission to the Office of Head Start annually for the renewal and continuation of Early/Head Start programming.
Develop and disseminate reports as required or requested by our senior leadership team, governing bodies, partners, stakeholders, and funders.
Demonstrate compassion, understanding, and a commitment to serving vulnerable families using a strengths-based approach.
Qualifications
While this position leads several key areas of our work, it is not our expectation that candidates have a mastery across all areas; instead, we encourage candidates to apply who have self-awareness and humility around areas they will need to grow in and the motivation and aptitude to lead the learning required to hit the ground running.
Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, human development, educational leadership, human services, or a related field.
5+ years of experience in human development, early childhood education, child development, family support, or a related field.
5+ years of experience supervising professional staff.
Experience leading a multi-site program.
Experience managing a complex budget with braided/mixed funding streams.
Experience building partnerships that maximize use of resources and support positive community outcomes.
Experience conveying information and ideas verbally and through a variety of media to individuals and groups in a manner that promotes engagement, understanding, and retainment of the message.
Nice-to-haves
Experience leading program innovation to deliver high-quality programming with a focus on data-driven decisions and continuous improvement.
Experience cultivating and nurturing diverse teams with integrity, humility, racial awareness and competence, and an open mind to new ideas and shared leadership.
Compensation and Benefits
For this position, we offer a full benefits package, with:
$1,000 signing bonus
Flexible PTO - 96 hours of PTO annually, 40 hours of personal leave available immediately
16 paid holidays
Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage options
Retirement and health savings plan options
Learning and professional development opportunities
Opportunity to telework up to 2 days a week, dependent upon program needs
Conditions for employment
Must be able to complete health assessments including a physical exam and TB screen.
Must pass background searches including criminal, sex offender, and child abuse/neglect.
Must have reliable home internet and access to independent transportation.
Must be approved for hire by our Head Start Policy Council and the Office of Head Start.
