Director of Early Childhood Programs

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

GRPS MISSION: Our mission is to ensure that all scholars are educated self-directed and productive members of society.

Director of Early Childhood Programs

Department: Instruction

Unit: Professional and Administrative Exempt

Salary: Grade 111 Specific salary based on experience

Direct Supervisor: Chief Area Instructional Leader

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for the development monitoring and implementation of Great Start Readiness Program grant programming for PreK children.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Essential functions under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include any of the following duties knowledge and skills. This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by employees in this position. Regular on time and in person attendance is an essential function of this job. Other essential functions may include but are not limited to the following:

Director of Early Childhood Programs

• Ensure compliance with all aspects of the Great Start Readiness Program Implementation manual.
• Provide professional development for PreK staff that meets licensing and GSRP requirements and supports the districts academic plan.
• Supervise Early Childhood staff (GSRP teachers and associates). Evaluate PreK staff compliance with Grand Rapids Public Schools and State GSRP requirements (Standard for Success teacher evaluations associate evaluations and PQA-R assessment).
• Participate in the recruitment selection evaluation and development of staff.
  Collaborate closely with all Michigan Department of Education Offices Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child Care Licensing and Kent Intermediate School District entities necessary for certification budgeting and compliance reporting.
• Develop and manages all Early Childhood budgets.
• Supervise recruitment and enrollment of families in the EC programs in cooperation with the Kent County Joint Recruitment and Enrollment Mandate.
• Coordinate the distribution of program brochures flyers and publicity materials.
  Hold the leadership role in identifying grant opportunities and applying for participation.
• Monitor implement and evaluate the selection of all materials for this program and provides guidance to staff concerning the specific uses of instructional materials and technology.
• Provide leadership in planning coordinating and implementing program for young children and establishing a smooth transition program helping scholars to move into the later elementary years.
• Work with all constituents to connect programming to the Strategic Plan.
• Assist school improvement teams with the review and dissemination of learning methodologies that promote scholar achievement.
• Recommend policy/program guidelines to the Deputy Superintendent of Instruction and Instructional Support.
• Serve as a resource for the community and work to promote early childhood intervention within our community.
• Serve as an active member in the Great Start Collaborative as outlined in GSRP Implementation manual.
• Serve as the liaison from the EC department in district local and state meetings as necessary.
• Attend Board of Education meetings when requested.
• Consistently demonstrates dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience:

• Masters degree in early childhood development curriculum development reading or a related field.

Preferred Qualification:

• Two years of successful administrative and/or supervisory experience in an urban setting working with young children.

Special Qualification:

• Must hold teacher certification and the ability to meet requirements for Michigan Administrative Certification and Central Office Certification.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of working in multi-cultural settings.
• Knowledge of effective instructional strategies classroom management and evaluation practices.
• Skill in word processing spreadsheet and desk top publishing in a Windows environment.
• Ability to use data to drive decision making.
• Ability to work confidentiality and present professionalism.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment handling multiple tasks at the same time and responding to immediate timelines.

ADA REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands work environment factors and mental functions described below 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.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is light work which requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects. While performing the duties of this job the employee is required to stand walk sit use hands to finger handle or feel reach with hands and arms climb or balance stoop kneel crouch or crawl talk hear (in a quiet or noisy environment). Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision and ability to adjust/focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud to moderate.

MENTAL FUNCTIONS

While performing the duties of this job the employee is required to compare analyze communicate both orally and in writing copy coordinate instruct compute synthesize evaluate use interpersonal skills compile and negotiate.

Non-Discrimination

The Grand Rapids Public Schools will not discriminate against any person based on race sex sexual orientation gender gender identity and expression height weight color religion national origin age marital status pregnancy disability veteran or military status.

Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations: Assistance with the application process may be requested through the Human Resources Department at or

Required Experience:

Director