Education/Disabilities Manager

Reports to Director of Children’s Programs 

MISSION:

Gads Hill Center, a social service organization established in 1898, creates opportunities for children and their families to build a better life through education, access to resources and community engagement. 

At Gads Hill Center we envision a community in which all children benefit from healthy, financially stable households that support their early learning and growth. We invest in the potential of children and families through early childhood education, youth programs, and mental health supports. Ultimately, Gads Hill Center builds a community where all families can help their children have access to quality education in order to succeed in school and life. 

JOB SUMMARY:

The Education/Disabilities Manager is responsible for providing observation, guidance, and coaching to all Children’s Programs education staff in collaboration with Site Managers and Program Managers. The Education Manager collaborates with Site Manager, Partner Network Manager and Home Visiting Programs Manager to ensure high quality education services in all Children’s Programs. In addition, this position is responsible for managing continuing education and professional development for all Children’s Programs and assisting with the implementation of the Creative Curriculum and the Parents as Teachers Curriculum. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of Head Start/Early Head Start standards and Preschool for All / Prevention Initiative and disability requirements and implements them in all aspects of work to maintain compliance.
• Adheres to NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and Code of Ethics.
• Conducts electronic and file monitoring pertaining to education and disabilities according to the monitoring plan.
• Works with program managers to resolve issues and document monitoring and findings.
• Contributes to the development and upkeep of the agencies Disabilities Service Plan.
• Monitors education folders and data in Teaching Strategies.
• Supports Family Support Workers in referring children to outside services and resources, and the education staff in all programs to obtain documentation for referral.
• Works with sites and parents to ensure that meetings and evaluations occur and that children are receiving services as needed thereafter.
• Ensures prospective participants receive timely follow up from disability referrals across programs.
• Provides regular written and oral reports on programs as assigned.
• Guides and supports education staff in documenting concerns to support referral and individualizing classroom/visit activities and environments to support the needs of children.
• Collaborates with other CSD leaders to plan and coordinate professional development in-service trainings for   (0-5) Children’s Services staff members aligned to staff needs.
• Maintains agency relationship with Chicago Public Schools, Child and Family Connections, and DFSS Education Subject Matter Specialist.
• Observes education staff in each education environment and provides feedback and guidance. Collaborates with supervisors to monitor for improvement.
• Visits Early Head Start/Head Start Partner Sites to provide education training and technical assistance. Provides monitoring feedback to Partner Network Manager and strategizes to improve service quality.
• Supports Infant/Toddler Specialist in monitoring Early Head Start programs across the agency.
• Develops and implements a comprehensive system for professional development and continuing education tracking.
• Ensures annual transition to kindergarten meetings and kindergarten transition ceremonies occur across all sites.
• Communicates program curricula to families in concrete and meaningful ways.
• Establishes and maintains an effective working relationship with the parents and communities that we serve.
• Represents Early Head Start/Head Start/Preschool for All/Prevention Initiative programs at all appropriate monitoring visits and program audits.
• Assures compliance with Early Head Start/Head Start/Preschool for All/Prevention Initiative and general child development standards as assigned.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds (average child’s weight).
• Participates in meetings of Children’s Programs leadership to resolve problems and assist in determining the strategic direction of Children’s Programs.
• Participates in a minimum of 30 hours of staff development training per year in order to remain current in the field. 

In addition to the responsibilities listed above, all Gads Hill Center employees are expected to:

• Participating in agency outreach and recruitment events, including evenings and weekends.
• Participating in supervision meetings and workshops within the agency and outside (if applicable).
• Participating in civic engagement activities that advance the mission of Gads Hill Center.
• Advance parent leadership development.
• Perform other duties, as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors of Arts in Early Childhood or a related field required. M.A.Ed. in Early Childhood Education preferred.
• Demonstrates managerial and Head Start program experience.
• Must have a valid Driver’s License and be willing to travel locally.
• Experience with multi-cultural programming preferred.
• Bi-lingual Spanish/English preferred.
• Previous direct early childhood classroom experience with low-income families required.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and organization skills.
• Ability to pass a criminal record and child abuse/neglect registry check.
• A passion for the mission of Gads Hill Center. 

POSITION DETAILS:

            Entry Salary Range: $44,000 annually

            Schedule: Full time

            Status: Salary

            Location: Chicago 

APPLICATION DIRECTIONS:

            To apply, send resume, cover letter and transcripts by e-mail to:           

            Keith Knabjian

             Human Resources Manager

Revised: 11/2018