CWOO Director/Education Coordinator

Title:  CWOO Director/Education Coordinator

Reports to: Lower Sioux Tribal Council

Supervises: CWOO Staff

Wage: $34.04/hour

Summary

The CWOO Director/Education Coordinator is responsible for assuring all the program mandates and standards for excellence at C̣aƞṡayapi Waḳaƞyeża Owayawa Oṭi- The Lower Sioux Early Head Start and Head Start are met on a daily basis. This position develops the structure, systems and procedures to facilitate this. In addition to operating responsibility for fiscal, legal, and programmatic aspects of the program, it bears the responsibility of assuring that the program is strategically positioned for the future. This position upholds the mission of the school to raise the next generation of Dakota Iapi speakers.

As the Education Coordinator, the position will oversee the planning, organizing, and implementation of education services for children, with the aim of integrating Dakota language into the classroom-based and home-based options to establish a culturally affirming and effective ground for healthy child development at Lower Sioux. These services contribute to the increased social competence in children and the recognition and enhancement of parents as the primary educators of their children.

Duties

• Perform the functions of this position with a strong understanding of the Dakota Language and Lifeways, the Early Head Start and Head Start Performance Standards and the component plans; Head Start child development outcomes; and thorough knowledge and application of Developmentally Appropriate Practices;

• Assures the compliance with all funding source mandates, all applicable laws and regulations, and assures that standards which exceed the minimum are being met.
• Provides guidance and leadership to staff to emphasize the importance of the program achieving high standards of quality, internally and through public and private sector partnerships.
• Reviews and analyzes monthly financial and statistical reports to assess the budget status and to initiate preventative measures if any problems appear to be predicated.
• Oversees and monitors agreements for the purchasing of goods and services assures that bids are solicited in accordance with state and federal regulations.
• In conjunction with the Dakota Language Team, assures the mission of the school is being intentionally implemented in daily school operations.
• In conjunction with the Mental Health/Disabilities/Education Specialist, ERSEA/PFCE Coordinator, and Expectant Families Specialist assures that the program serves the number of eligible children for which it is funded.
• In conjunction with ERSEA/PFCE Coordinator, Center Supervisor/Preschool Navigator, and Mental Health/Disabilitie/Education Specialist assures that the program offers the required and desired Family and Community Engagement designed to promote an extended learning community for the children.
• Reads management and leadership materials and program-related materials to keep abreast of developments in comprehensive early childhood programs.
• Works with other tribal departments and organizations in the community to foster collaboration as defined by federal Head Start.
• In conjunction with the Tribal Council, staff and Policy Council, leads planning meetings in which long and short-term goals for improvement are established.
• In conjunction with the Tribal Planner, conducts a complete Community Assessment every three years and an up-date during the intervening years.
• With input from program participants and the staff, develops a funding application every year.
• In conjunction with the Tribal Council, seeks additional outside funding for the program; meets the non-federal share requirement.
• Oversees the ongoing professional development of all staff as part of the commitment to excellence, working closely with the Coach.
• Maintains effective, appropriate communication with the Tribal Council and Policy Council, including:

• • • Attending all regular and special meetings, and committee meetings
    • Providing a written report to the board of the fiscal and programmatic status of the program and of the administrative activities since the last meeting monitoring results, and strategies to resolve problems
    • Communication of relevant information from the funding sources
    • Provision of training for new Board members and Periodic refresher for veteran Board members on their roles and responsibilities.

• Monitors the implementation of the responsibilities of employees through observation, monthly supervisory and professional developments meetings, bi-weekly team meetings, and review of files and documentation.
• Assumes an active role in the annual program self-assessment.
• Assures remediation of any non-compliances found in delegate or grantee assessment, and incorporates recommendations into planning for the improvement of the program.
• Provides and/or secures training and technical assistance for all staff.
• Maintains a close working relationship with the Lower Sioux Finance Department and Director which provides the Director with information for budget writing and the status of the budget to facilitate effective oversight of expenditures.
• Hears and resolves community complaints about the program, seeking input from staff, parents, or the Tribal Council, as needed.
• Carries out the function delineated in procedures for staff grievances.
• Hires, and if necessary, fires staff, complying with applicable laws, regulations, Agency Personnel Policies and Procedure assures parent input into the hiring and/or firing of staff prior to seeking their approval for the personnel action.
• Completes and submits regular reports to the funding sources, the Tribal Council, and the Policy Council.
• Monitors the program’s administrative cost, assuring it does not exceed the allowed amount.
• Monitors the program’s non-federal share to assure that the amount required is met. Meets with staff, parents, and the Tribal Council to develop strategies for increasing the amount of the program’s accumulated non-federal share, if necessary.
• Maintains open lines of communication with the grantee personnel.
• In consultation with the Mental Health/Disabilities/Education Specialist, Early Childhood Coach/Disabilities Coordinator and the Center Supervisor/Preschool Navigator, assures that classrooms and playgrounds are well-equipped.
• Oversees the implementation lesson plans that support educational aims of the program—a foundation in Dakota language and lifeways and outcomes across the Head Start Early Child Learner Outcomes Framework.
• Monitor the implementation of all evidence-based curricula in the classroom;
• Oversee all classroom practices – room arrangement, lesson plans, daily schedules, routines, and transitions to assure their adherence to program policies;
• Oversee children’s assessment, including monthly observations in each area, examples of the child’s work, developmental assessments, and children’s assessment data entry and outcome reports;
• Work cooperatively with other component coordinators to plan education services integrated with health, mental health, dental health, nutrition, parent involvement, and social services;
• Actively participate in the development and implementation of the Teacher Professional Development Plan with the Early Childhood Coach/Disabilities Coordinator;

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by a person in this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed in such a position.

Recommended Employment Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, social welfare, public administration, human resources, day care administration, or one of the social sciences, and a minimum of three years educational management experience for American Indian children.

Experience 

An understanding of Early Head Start and Head Start philosophy and the ability to implement its principle of shared authority and decision-making. Experience in human services program management, including program planning, operations and evaluation, and the use of management information systems. Leadership ability. Good interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work as part of a team. Demonstrated commitment to creating educational opportunities for Lower Sioux and Native children that align with and sustain Dakota language and lifeways. Experience in supervision of staff, fiscal management, and administration.

Additional Requirements

Regular access to a reliable vehicle; vehicle insurance which would include periodic transportation of program participants. Ability to work a flexible schedule including some evenings and/or weekends. Ability to pass a health examination and criminal background check. Ability to work effectively with minimal daily guidance. Knowledge of community resources. Successful experience working in a team setting. Ability to present a positive image of the organization to members of the community. Visual and auditory acuity within professionally determined normal ranges, with correction if needed. Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer and other office equipment, including, but not limited to, the telephone, fax machine, copier, and tape recorder. Must be able to travel, enter and exit a vehicle without assistance.

Disclaimer
This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all the responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with the job.  While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management and Community Tribal Council reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (e.g. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs or technical developments).

In accepting employment, I am agreeing to perform the duties and responsibilities listed above.  In addition, I agree to adhere to any policy or procedure changes that may occur during my employment with the Lower Sioux Indian Community.