Position Summary

Under the general direction of the assigned administrator, the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Manager provides leadership and management of Early Childhood Education integrated preschool programs, California State Preschool and related programs, which includes supervising and coordinating all assigned personnel, ensuring that all program requirements are met and programs are properly implemented based upon guidelines.  The ECE Manager ensures that all students are being correctly processed as mandated and is responsible for maintaining current knowledge of legal mandates pertaining to the assigned programs.  The ECE manager is responsible for continual evaluation and monitoring of ECE and related programs, including grant and state compliance.  This includes the oversight of the state and nonstate preschool slots, ensuring fidelity of implementation, enrollment procedures, staff permits, daily operations and recruitment. The manager works in conjunction with special education staff and administration to ensure a safe, supportive environment. The Manager is responsible for effective communication with parents, employees, and community partners.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The ECE Manager assists in the development and implementation of goals and objectives for Early Childhood Education integrated preschool programs, California State Preschool and related programs in collaboration with General and Special Education administration and staff. The manager is responsible for staying current on CSPP rules and procedures and completes paperwork and reports that are due to the state. They will need to maintain licensing for each site and ensure enrollment procedures are legal and adhered to. They should be knowledgeable in best practices in early childhood education and stay current in these practices through professional development.

Supervision Received And Exercised

This position is under the supervision of the Principal of Special Beginnings.  This position is responsible for the evaluation of assigned classified staff.

Examples of Duties & Responsiblities

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignment of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Prepare Funding applications, including monitoring and reporting to funding sources, as required.
• Fiscal management for the programs of California State Preschool Programs.
• Personnel management for the general education staff of the integrated preschool programs.
• Develop, implement and coordinate the delivery of State Preschool Programs and private pay general education services in a manner consistent with the requirements of contractual agreements, laws, regulations, funding documents and standards.
• Conduct long- and short-range planning, including assessment of community needs and resources.
• Develop and implement systems of evaluation and organizational self-assessment, including preparing and disseminating an annual evaluation report with a focus on continuous quality improvement.
• Lead a self-assessment process with summary report for approval by Principal/Director.
• Implement leadership and management expectations and responsibilities for all levels of staff management employees.
• Direct the professional development process, which includes providing annual staff or management training events for staff to maintain permit eligibility.
• Maintain community partnerships and ensure plans are in place to utilize all available community resources as needed.
• Oversee all data and reporting systems to programs integrated in the program, including nutrition.
• Ensure teachers complete attendance documents on a daily basis. Prepare attendance reports by summarizing sign-in documents.  Initiate phone and/or personal contact with parents in connection with child’s attendance and performance.
• Encourage parent involvement in educational activities. Support the design of learning exercises that encourage the parents to volunteer and become involved.
• Assist in the scheduling and organizing of events, field trips and other activities that require integration of other services.
• Plan, coordinate and present at school functions, such as back-to-school night, parent open houses, etc. May complete parent education activities as they relate to program requirements and needs.
• Serve as a resource to staff regarding early childhood development and program curriculum.
• Work and interact with peers, as individuals and/or in team/group settings, in a professional manner that contributes to HCOE’s goals.
• Maintain current knowledge of new techniques and developments in pre-school education by engaging in professional development related to those areas.
• Perform other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.
• Collaborate and coordinate LEA and MAA billing in conjunction with other departments.

Qualifications (Employment Standards)

Knowledge of

• Specialized knowledge of child development and best practices.
• Understanding of the goals and objectives of a preschool program.
• Special knowledge of the preschool developmental domains and content areas of social-emotional development, language and literacy, mathematics, English-language development, visual and performing arts, physical development, health, history-social science and science.
• Working knowledge of curriculum development and Title 22 licensing requirements.
• Working knowledge of CSPP program requirements.
• Working knowledge of Title 5 requirements.
• Knowledge of the DRDP.

Ability to

• Observe, assess, and evaluate the development of preschool children.
• Learn, interpret and apply HCOE adopted curriculum .
• Must be able to prepare curriculum for indoor and outdoor environments.
• Develop and maintain a productive and safe classroom environment.
• Organize and prioritize work & manage time effectively.
• Communicate in a professional manner, in formal and informal settings, with students, fellow staff and parents.
• Visual acuity to read printed materials, computer screens and to observe students performing assignments, observe moving objects and events.
• May require a valid driver’s license.
• May require fluency in a second language.

Education and Experience

Minimum Required

• Three years of experience in an early childhood setting.
• Hold a program director level permit through California Teaching Credentialing upon hire. Requirements can be found at Child Development and School-Age Emphasis Matrix (ca.gov)

Preferred Experience:

• Experience supervising and evaluating staff.
• Experience supporting and/or directly teaching young children with disabilities.
• Experience in a CSPP program completing mandated state reports.
• Experience with CSPP licensing agents.

Working Conditions (Work Environment):

This position will be assigned to an office setting, either in the County Office of Education or at district school sites; the employee will be expected to work closely with other county office and district personnel, students, families, other professionals, outside agencies and private partners, in-person, via email and on the telephone. The employee may be assigned to occasional school site settings where multiple children, school staff and families are present.  Employees may be required to walk, stand or conduct work in outdoor educational environments where there may be loud students or staff, varied temperatures, public interaction or upset staff or students.

Environmental Elements

The location of work is in an office setting. The employee in this position will be required to access programs regionally located in the county and move about the community independently.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, speak and hear. The employee will need to frequently perform repetitive hand/finger movements for activities such as, but not limited to, using a keyboard. The employee is occasionally required to climb stairs, bend, reach with hands/arms, lift, stoop, kneel and crouch.  The employee will regularly be required to drive long distances to remote areas of the county and may be required to lift and move equipment up to 25 lbs.

Other Requirements:

• Must be fingerprinted and a satisfactory Department of Justice records check must be received by HCOE prior to employment.
• TB testing and/or risk assessment will be required upon employment.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical (if applicable).
• May be required to obtain first aid and CPR certificates within the first 6 to 12 months of employment.
• May be required to drive with or without students; some positions may require a California Driver’s License, proof of insurance and possible participation in the DMV PUll Notice Program once employed.

Classification Range: 4