Job Details

Overview

Description: EXEMPT: No

Salary level: $24.50 - $26.25 per hour

Department: Early Childhood Education

Location: Sonoma County Head Start Centers

Reports to: Area Supervisor

Hours: FT M-F 40 hours per week, 11 months per year

Date: April 2025

Approved by: Human Resources Director

Hiring bonus: Now offering a $2,000 Hiring Bonus. $500 after 30 working days, and $1,500 after 90 active working days of successful employment. Eligibility applies to new external hires only.

Agency background: Sonoma Community Action Network (Sonoma CAN) partners with low-income families and individuals to help them achieve economic and social empowerment, build community, and advocate for social and economic justice. Sonoma CAN operates programs benefiting low-income Sonoma County residents.

Mission: Sonoma CAN is a catalyst for equitable transformation, aligning partners and resources to implement values-based, data-driven, community-led solutions that help families reach their full potential.

Vision: We see Sonoma County transformed into an empowered community of thriving families where every child is raised with joy, justice, and connection.

Our Promise: Sonoma CAN changes people's lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.

Working at SonomaCAN: We believe that a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives strengthen our team and help us better serve our community. We are committed to fair hiring practices and a workplace where employees are treated with respect and have the opportunity to grow professionally. We make employment decisions based on qualifications, merit, and organizational needs. Our hiring process complies with all federal, state, and local laws related to equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage individuals who meet the qualifications to apply.

Total compensation package: The pay for this position ranges from $24.50 - $26.25 per hour, depending on experience. Sonoma CAN offers a benefits package available on the first day of the month after your date of hire that includes:

• Medical insurance through Kaiser or Sutter is 80-95% paid by the employer for employee premiums, plus 50% paid by the employer for dependent coverage
• Elective dental, vision insurance, FSA, and Accident insurance
• Employer-paid $10k of life insurance with expandable options
• Employer-paid Long-term Disability Insurance
• 401(K) plan with a 2% contribution and an additional 1% matched contribution after one year of service
• Employee assistance program, CalPerks
• 3 weeks paid time off (winter and spring breaks)
• 96 hours of sick time per year (4 hours accrued per pay period)
• 1 floating personal day
• 16 paid holidays

Summary of Position

Under the direction of the Area Supervisor, the Center Director will administer a Head Start center operation guided by Head Start Performance Standards, Procedures, and Policies, and California State Community Care Licensing regulations. Supervises the following staff: Teacher 1 and Site Assistant. This position is responsible for the daily operations and oversight of the center to which they are assigned. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Agency's policies and applicable federal and state laws.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinates and monitors the work of center staff, volunteers, consultants, and parents
• Actively participate in the distance learning model of instruction when required
• Planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems
• Communicate with the supervisor and other classroom staff to develop a plan for coverage when staff are out
• Assists in the fulfillment of administrative requirements and functions as a link between the Head Start Administrative Team and the center
• Adheres to Child Assessment/Observation System & Family Partnership System Timeline
• Ensures ongoing implementation and completion of the Child Observation Assessment System
• Encourages language development in children in the primary and secondary languages
• Has meaningful, respectful conversations with children throughout the day
• Ensures prompt and accurate completion of required paperwork related to center operation
• In partnership with the Family Services staff, assists parents in conducting their business meetings and provides them with information relevant to the Head Start Program
• Work in partnership with service area managers and center staff to better assess the needs of the children and families to ensure quality services to children and families
• Ensures and participates in at least two parent home visits and two conferences. The first home visit is done in partnership with the Family Outreach Worker
• Assists center staff in coordinating services for children and families
• Follows program supervision plans and ensures that all classroom staff are in compliance with the same
• Provides on-the-job training and support, assessing skill levels with employees, and developing a plan for individual growth
• Teaches a Head Start class, ensuring that a developmentally appropriate, integrated curriculum is in place
• Coordinates and cooperates with consultants and specialists on items relevant to the center and children, ensuring maximum use of services and resources
• Uses Creative Curriculum to develop, plan, and lead classroom activities, ensuring completion by due dates
• Uses Creative Curriculum, assessment data (DECA, ASQ, IEPs, etc.), and School Readiness Goals to individualize for all children and use when developing curriculum
• Ensure confidentiality of client information and records
• Maintains warm, friendly, and professional working relationships with children, parents, and coworkers
• This may include collaboration/coordination of program services with other community entities
• Participates in necessary training, workshops, and meetings as scheduled
• Participates in the team-building process within the program by using established communication channels in a constructive and productive manner that enhances the team effort
• The health, safety, and supervision of children in the program are essential; therefore, every employee is responsible for the care and supervision of children while they are present at the center
• Responsible for approving staff time cards and time off requests
• Understand and implement Head Start Procedures and Head Start Performance Standards
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

Required Skills/Abilities

• Minimum one year of paid supervisory experience
• Working knowledge of the principles and practices of child development and adult learning styles
• Understanding of the principles of bilingual and multicultural education
• Intermediate personal computer skills with word processing and email experience
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Bilingual, Spanish/English preferred
• Knowledge of culturally diverse groups and persons from low-income families
• Intermediate skills in reading, analyzing, and interpreting procedures and governmental regulations
• Intermediate ability to write reports and correspondence; present information to groups
• Intermediate ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, fractions and decimals
• Intermediate ability to solve practical problems and exercise good judgment
• Interpretation of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form

Personal Characteristics

• Highly dependable, takes initiative, has good judgment, and can function with minimal supervision
• Bilingual in Spanish & English preferred; bilingual assessment may qualify for additional bilingual pay
• Interest in the development of all children and building partnerships with families
• Works effectively in a team environment and cooperates with coworkers

Education and Experience

• BA in Early Childhood Education/Child Development or related field; OR AA with 24 ECE/CD units (incl. core units) and willingness to complete a BA and be enrolled within 6 months
• 3 units of Adult Supervision
• Teacher Permit within 6 months of hire
• 3 units or 16 hours of Health and Safety Training
• Minimum 12 months of teaching experience with 6 months of supervision experience

Additional Requirements

• Six months of teaching experience in a preschool/infant-toddler classroom
• High School diploma or GED or equivalent
• Pass Community Care Licensing criminal record clearance; up-to-date immunizations; TB clearance and Health Screening
• Current Pediatric First Aid, CPR, and Health and Safety Course
• Bilingual in Spanish & English preferred; bilingual pay eligibility if assessed

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Work outdoors for portions of the day; noise level usually moderate to sometimes noisy
• Physical demands include talking, sitting, standing, walking, reaching, climbing, lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally
• Drive approximately 10% of the time
• Approximately 25% of time spent writing/keyboard

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities. Duties may change at any time, with or without notice.