Educational Head Start Lead

Educational Head Start Lead

The Opportunity Alliance is seeking an Educational Head Start Lead to support our Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Head Start promotes the school readiness of young children from low-income families through local programs. Head Start and Early Head Start programs support the mental, social, and emotional development of children from birth to age 5.

This Educational Lead Head Start will be part of an executive leadership team providing leadership and support to the general operations of the Head Start / Early Head Start / Childcare programs. This position will be responsible for providing supervision and oversight of the Birth to Five Head Start and Early Head Start Coaches, while creating educational policies and practices that support school readiness outcomes for children and their families. This position will also ensure that program practices are in place that support the inclusion and success of children with disabilities.

Schedule : This is a full-time, year-round, salaried position based in South Portland and supporting classrooms throughout Cumberland County.

Location : Primarily located on-site in South Portland, ME. Supporting classrooms throughout Cumberland County.

Qualifications :

• Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education required. Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education preferred.
• 5 years of classroom-based teaching experience, preferably in an Early Childhood setting required
• 3-5 years of supervisory experience required.
• Experience designing and facilitating large and small format training in the areas of Early Childhood Education & Development, or related fields, preferred.
• Knowledge of the important role that culture plays in child & family development.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with complex information to address challenging situations.
• Demonstrated ability to practice sound decision-making & good judgment in high stress situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse teams.
• Commitment to social justice and the mission of Head Start.
• Must be able to successfully pass a criminal background, child protective service check & sex offender check.
• Must not be on the state or federal suspension and disbarment list.
• Employee must be able to pass pre-employment physical and TB screen.
• ECE employees must be current on MMR and TDAP immunizations.
• Must be able to exert significant physical effort with frequent standing, walking, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, typing and frequently lift and carry small children or material weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Driving may be necessary to attend meetings and trainings but is not a primary and essential job responsibility.