Center Director (347)

Lutheran Services Florida - Fort Walton Beach, FL

Full-time - Mid Level

Fort Walton Beach, FL

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations

About the position

The Center Director at Lutheran Services Florida is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of a Head Start/Early Head Start center, ensuring compliance with federal performance standards and local regulations. This role involves supervising education staff, coordinating educational activities for preschool-aged children, and engaging with parents and the community. The Center Director plays a crucial role in maintaining quality assurance and fostering a safe and supportive environment for children and staff.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and oversee daily activities of the Head Start/Early Head Start Center to ensure compliance with federal performance standards and local regulations.
• Assess educational needs of staff and develop individual education plans.
• Conduct classroom observations and measure staff performance using established rubrics.
• Prepare for and maintain National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation compliance.
• Ensure teaching staff complete required assessments and observations as per the education calendar.
• Provide coaching and feedback to education staff on classroom management and instructional support.
• Schedule, assign, and review work of center staff, ensuring proper child/staff ratios.
• Maintain staff records in compliance with licensing and Head Start requirements.
• Supervise assigned staff and prepare performance appraisals in a timely manner.
• Monitor food service and supplies for adequate inventory and compliance with USDA Food Program requirements.
• Document children's progress and complete required screening and assessment forms.
• Plan volunteer activities for parents and community volunteers.
• Attend workshops and meetings to disseminate information to staff.
• Coordinate and oversee field trips for children.
• Order supplies and equipment to meet Head Start requirements.
• Inspect classrooms and grounds for safety and cleanliness.
• Report incidents of child abuse and neglect as required.

Requirements

• A baccalaureate or advanced degree in Early Childhood Education or equivalent coursework with experience teaching preschool-aged children.
• Three years of experience in teaching preschool or kindergarten age plus two years of supervisory experience.
• Certification in First Aid and CPR within 90 days from the date of hire.
• Successful completion of a Level II background screening and other health screenings prior to hiring.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in financial management and budgeting preferred.
• Previous Head Start/Early Head Start experience preferred.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish or other local languages preferred.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance
• Teledoc (24/7 online access to Doctors)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employer paid life insurance (1X salary)
• 13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday
• Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year)
• 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match or 3% student loan repayment reimbursement
• Tuition reimbursement