Career Center

USC’s School for Early Childhood Education is dedicated to providing comprehensive, high-quality early childhood education services to children and their families in the South Los Angeles area. Founded in 1970 as a teaching school for future early childhood professionals, the USC School for Early Childhood Education (USC SECE) seeks to promote school readiness, health/nutrition, mental wellness, and family engagement. Today, our licensed Head Start and Early Head Start centers serve more than 500 infants and preschool children and their parents each year. We seek enthusiastic, creative, dynamic, and team-oriented individuals who enjoy working with children while fostering a supportive learning environment.

Job Overview:

Provides oversight of the Early Head Start and prenatal option for the USC-SECE Program. Supports staff and conducts weekly supportive supervision with staff that considers staff professional goals and case management of families. Ensures implementation of Head Start Performance Standards, USC Policies, and other regulations at all times.

This position is the role of Center Director as defined by Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations. Oversee the daily operations of the center. Provide direction, guidance, and support to teachers assigned to the site. Monitor child attendance. Organize and conduct parent education and parent participation activities. Comply with Performance Standards regulations, California Health and Safety Codes, Title 22, and all other applicable state, local, and federal guidelines, and USC policies/procedures.

Provide guidance, modeling, and support to assigned educators. Direct and instruct educators; provide input for evaluation of assigned staff. You may be required to substitute for a teacher during a temporary absence. Call in substitutes when authorized. Monitor and supervise all activities within the center to ensure a safe, healthy, and attractive environment and that needed maintenance and repairs are made. Provide guidance and instruction to teachers to strengthen the early childhood experiences provided; ensure that all screenings occur promptly; that findings are recorded; Individual Learning Plans are developed and implemented; and that ongoing observation is utilized to regularly update each child’s individual plan. Assist teachers to develop and implement written lesson plans that address the whole child, integrate all service areas into the curriculum, are individualized, and address Head Start Outcomes and USC-SECE program goals.

Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Prepare and update the annual service plan related to Early Head Start.

• Supervises and trains EHS staff in using child assessments, family assessments, lesson plans, IDPs, and any necessary or optional forms that impact services to individual families or groups. Is also responsible for knowledge of forms, documentation, and procedures for all service areas.

2. Assists EHS Staff in planning, resources and referrals, goal setting, time management, and any area deemed necessary by staff, supervision, or agency.

3. Supervises the day-to-day activities of the EHS staff. a. Monitors documentation required by the staff, such as weekly lesson plans, socialization plans, attendance, sign-in sheets, and family activity logs, in addition to follow-up needs in all service area documentation.

4. Assures performance standards are met regarding Early Head Start.

• Assists in all service areas, providing staff training, consulting, resources, and facilitating activities. Is a liaison between administrative staff, EHS staff, and parents.

• Assures accuracy and completeness of ongoing confidential record keeping by EHS staff.

• Maintains confidentiality of all records and information of EHS families and staff.

5. Provides ongoing group and individual training for EHS staff regarding delivering services to families and children per Performance Standards and Agency Mission Statement.

• Plans and assists in recruitment yearly.

• Confers with appropriate staff and Parent Policy Council regarding services and events related to EHS and facilitating program activities.

• Meets with EHS to provide updated agency information and one-on-one support to resolve situational problems and provide resources and training.

• Serves as part of the Senior Management Team of the USC-SECE program.

• Participates in evaluating data collected in the yearly training needs assessment given to EHS.

6. Assists in referral procedures to ensure follow-up services are provided to families and or children.

• Facilitate and assist in conducting the parent involvement activities.

• Tracks of timely follow-up on all referrals.

• Collect all service area reports and distribute them to appropriate staff.

7. Prepares and maintains an ongoing assessment of supplies, equipment, and materials for delivery of services.

• Provides data to the service area Coordinator regarding the functioning of staff and families within the Early Head Start and service delivery.

• Participates in periodic service area evaluations as required by funding sources and USC.

8. Other duties as assigned.

Schedule/Hours Requirements:

The position requires flexible hours, including weekend and evening work and some travel.

Qualifications/Skills:

Highly skilled childcare teacher with sufficient administrative and leadership experience and skills to plan and administer a program for young children. Knowledge of child development theory and best practices in early childhood group care and education

• Minimum 5 years’ experience

• Bilingual: English/Spanish preferred.

• Current physical, tuberculosis screening, influenza, measles, and pertussis; First Aid/CPR,

• Valid State of California Driver’s License and adequate liability insurance is required.

• Department of Justice Clearance.

• Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards.

• Computer literate.

• Analysis

• Assessment/evaluation

• Budget control

• Communication—written and oral skills

• Conceptualization and design

• Counseling

• Curriculum development

• Interpretation of policies/analyses/trends/etc.

• Organization

• Planning

• Problem identification and resolution

• Public speaking/presentations

• Research

• Scheduling

• Staff development

• Supervisory skills

• Teaching/training

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor of Arts/Science degree in early childhood education, child development, or related field.

• Preferred Master’s Degree

• California Child Development Site Supervisor Permit

Physical Requirements

Must be able to climb stairs, reach, bend, lift 20-30 pounds, crawl, kneel, stoop, twist, grasp with hands and fingers, use arms and legs, walk, and climb ladders if applicable. The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands: lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; significant stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Physical exam

• TB test

• Background/fingerprint clearance

• MMR and Tdap vaccinations

• CPR

• Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training

• Valid Drivers License and Auto Insurance

The salary for this position is $64,480. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Qualifications/Skills:-Highly skilled childcare teacher with sufficient administrative and leadership experience and skills to plan and administer a program for young children. Knowledge of child development theory and best practices in early childhood group care and education-Minimum 5 years’ experience-Bilingual: English/Spanish preferred.-Current physical, tuberculosis screening, influenza, measles, and pertussis; First Aid/CPR,-Valid State of California Driver’s License and adequate liability insurance is required.-Department of Justice Clearance.-Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards.-Computer literate.-Analysis-Assessment/evaluation-Budget control-Communication—written and oral skills-Conceptualization and design-Counseling-Curriculum development-Interpretation of policies/analyses/trends/etc.-Organization-Planning-Problem identification and resolution-Public speaking/presentations-Research-Scheduling-Staff development-Supervisory skills-Teaching/training

Return to Search Results