About Us
West Harlem Community Organization is a leading early childhood agency delivering high-quality Head Start and Early Head Start services. We are dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive environment where children and families thrive.
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced Head Start Program Director to lead our early childhood education programs in accordance with federal Head Start Performance Standards. The Director will oversee education, disabilities, health, and family services in a center-based setting, ensuring compliance, staff development, and continuous quality improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide leadership and oversight for all aspects of Head Start programming.
- Ensure full compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, NYC Department of Health and other regulatory agencies.
- Supervise multidisciplinary teams including education, family services, health, and disabilities.
- Conduct regular classroom observations to ensure compliance.
- Oversee curriculum implementation and child assessment (e.g., Teaching Strategies GOLD).
- Lead recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and performance evaluations of staff.
- Work collaboratively with families and community agencies.
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- Prepare reports and data for federal reviews, audits, and ongoing monitoring.
Qualifications
- Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Educational Leadership, Social Work, or a related field (required).
- Minimum 3 years of experience in Head Start/Early Head Start or early childhood education programs.
- Strong working knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards, CLASS, ECERS, and ITERS.
- Experience working with family child care settings preferred.
- Excellent leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement plan with employer contribution
- Generous paid time off and holidays
- Ongoing professional development and training opportunities
Schedule
- Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm
Occasional evenings or weekends as needed for meetings/events
This position offers an exciting opportunity for a passionate leader to make a significant impact on the lives of individuals we serve while contributing to the growth of our organization.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $85,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Loan forgiveness
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 10 hour shift
Work Location: In person
