Director of Early Head StartHead StartPre-K

Employment Term:240 days

Salary:Based on the FY27 EPIC Professional Salary Schedule with years of verified related experience and educationwith a30%DirectorIndex

Position Overview: EPIC Head Start understands that our most valuable assets arethe dedicated creative life-long learners who positively support the lives of children their families and peers. Our culture is one of encouragement support and determination. We strive to exceedcomplianceofour guiding regulations.

The Director provides leadershipmanagementand oversight for all aspects of the EHS/HS progress. This position ensures compliance with federalstateand local regulations whilepromotinghigh-quality early childhood education family engagement healthservicesand community partnerships. The Directoris responsible forprogram administration fiscal management staff supervision and continuous quality improvement.

Qualifications:

• BachelorsDegree in Early ChildhoodEducation or related fieldrequired;MastersDegree preferred
• WV teaching certification required
• Minimum of three (3)years experience in Head Startor comparable federally funded early childhood program
• Experience inmanaging andmonitoringmultiple program sites
• Experience developing and maintaining collaborative partnerships with schools agencies and community organizations
• Demonstrated success in grant writing and securing grant funding.

Please note:Applicants who have been dismissed or who have had their contracts non-renewed for cause by any school system who have recent unsatisfactory evaluations by any school system who demonstrate unsatisfactory interview performanceand/or who receive unfavorable reference recommendationsby any school systemwill not be eligible for consideration for employment with EPIC.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Provide strategic leadership and administrative oversight for all Early Head Start Head Start and collaborative Pre-K programs.
2. Plan direct and administer program operations in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) guidelines West Virginia child care licensing regulations grant requirements and all applicable federal state and local laws.
3. Develop implement and evaluate program goals strategic priorities and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) plans in collaboration with staff stakeholders and county Pre-K partners.
4. Prepare grant applications; develop monitor and administer program budgets in accordance with grant requirements including county collaborative budgets and required fiscal agreements.
5. Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with school districts community agencies Eastern Panhandle Pre-K leadership and other stakeholders to support coordinated services and successful transitions between Early Head Start Head Start Pre-K and related service areas.
6. Serve as liaison to the Head Start Policy Council and Regional Council by developing meeting agendas providing required reports and ensuring effective shared governance.
7. Supervise coach support and evaluate leadership staff specialists and instructional coaches; ensure compliance with personnel policies and promote ongoing professional development.
8. Monitor program operations through regular site visits to ensure consistent high-quality inclusive services regulatory compliance and effective implementation across all program locations.
9. Oversee transportation services to ensure compliance with safety regulations required documentation and operational procedures.
10. Coordinate annual program operations including calendars required administrative training and Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) plans.
11. Represent EPIC Head Start at local regional and state meetings; actively participate in the West Virginia Head Start Association and the National Head Start Association to remain informed of emerging trends best practices legislative updates and policy changes.
12. Foster a collaborative solution-oriented culture by promoting innovation resolving conflicts supporting effective communication and building positive public and community relations.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described 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.

This position may require strenuous activity on a daily basis including but not limited to frequent and/or repeated standing bending squatting kneeling chasing lifting holding etc.

• to assure the well-being and safety of children ranging from approximately 25 to 80 (plus or minus) pounds
• to provide age-appropriate interactions with young children on their level
• to model instruction and physical activities in the classroom outdoors and in other locations as assigned
• to carry supplies into homes the office etc.
• to safely climb stairs and use ramps as needed
• to fulfill other reasonable physical duties and responsibilities as required by the supervisor.

Work Environment:

• The selected candidate will have assigned duties in classrooms and outdoor spaces as well as in other designated worksites which may include locations not owned or operated by EPIC including but not limited to outdoor venues public facilities school buildings and/or private residences.
• The selected candidate must transport themselves by personal vehicle from one work site to another. (Travel reimbursement is included.)
• The selected candidate may be required to transport families or ride in a vehicle on paved and unpaved roads.
• Head Start services are performed during the regular school year so the selected candidate may need to travel and work in inclement weather.

The information contained in the job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of duties performed by this position. Additional duties may be assigned by the Head Start Director EPIC Administrator and/or their designee.

Reports To: Early Head Start/Head Start/Pre-K Policy Council; EPIC Administrator; EPIC Regional Council

Conditions of Employment: Recommended by theEPIC Administrator; Confirmed by the Early Head Start/Head Start/Pre-K Policy Council & EPIC Regional Council

Head Start/Early Head Start is funded by the US Administration for Children and Families.

The Eastern Panhandle Instructional Cooperative is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Required Experience:

Director