Head Start Program Jobs in Mississippi (NOW HIRING)

Characteristics of Work

Under the supervision of the Director of Children's Services, the Early Head Start Coordinator is responsible for managing and supporting the delivery of comprehensive services for families and children ages 6 weeks to 3 years, including family education activities focused on infants and toddlers. The Early Head Start Coordinator oversees planning, coordination, monitoring, recordkeeping, reporting, guidance, training, supervision, evaluation, support, and collaboration to ensure that Early Head Start operations are implemented effectively and with fidelity.

The Early Head Start Coordinator supports teaching staff, Early Head Start Specialists, and children to promote classroom safety, regulatory compliance, and adherence to the Head Start Program Performance Standards. In collaboration with Early Head Start Specialists, the Early Head Start Coordinator provides hands-on educational support for children with an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) to help prevent or reduce barriers that may interfere with participation, learning, classroom routines, or the health and safety of the child or others.

The role promotes one-on-one, small-group, and large-group training and technical assistance, classroom monitoring, professional development, and classroom setup support for Infant and Toddler Teachers, Teacher Assistants, and Head Start center leadership through teamwork and teacher collaboration.

Essential Functions

These essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following. Additional essential functions may be identified and included by the Agency.

Planning and Developing

Administers the overall Early Head Start program, including program design, program management, oversight of record-keeping and monitoring systems, and development of community partnerships.

Works in collaboration with the Director of Children's Services, content-area consultants, First Steps, and other community agencies to deliver Early Head Start services in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards and HCHRA policies and procedures.

Collects and reviews data from CLASS and Teaching Strategies GOLD to determine appropriate classroom support levels for Teachers and Teacher Assistants using the Teaching Pyramid framework.

Refers Tier 3 teachers to Children's Services Mentor Coaches for Practice-Based Coaching, as appropriate.

Collects data and participates in writing and updating the Early Head Start work plan.

Supports teachers in identifying developmentally appropriate activities and resources for infants and toddlers.

Provides input in developing job descriptions and staff performance evaluation plans for center-based education and child development staff.

Participates in team planning sessions.

Assists with the negotiation of contracts, memoranda of understanding, and other agreements with professionals and community agencies serving infants and toddlers.

Communicating and Guiding

Provides curriculum materials for Early Head Start Infant and Toddler Teachers, children, parents, and other staff as needed.

Provides educational support to Infant and Toddler Teachers, including Teaching Pyramid strategies and modeling of appropriate classroom practices.

Completes individual observations, prepares reports, and communicates with teachers, team members, and families.

Provides individual support and role modeling to children and teachers through classroom and home-based observations and support, helping them reach educational and developmental goals.

Recruits volunteers and in-kind contributions.

Recruits children for Early Head Start enrollment.

Serves on program committees and committees of other organizations affiliated with children and families.

Works alongside the Director of Children's Services to establish and renew NAEYC membership for site leadership, teachers, and teacher assistants, as applicable.

Monitoring

Monitors assigned classrooms on a regular and unannounced basis in accordance with developmentally appropriate practices and the Children's Services divisional work plan.

Checks child comprehensive file folders and provides follow-up with site leadership to ensure compliance.

Checks child portfolios and provides follow-up with classroom staff to ensure compliance.

Checks, verifies, and maintains confidential and other required records in accordance with the Children's Services divisional work plan.

Performs classroom monitoring of teachers and provides feedback, recommendations, action plans with timelines, and improvement strategies to Center Administrators, Early Head Start Specialists, and the teacher observed.

Submits classroom monitoring reports and action plans in the Child Outcome Planning and Assessment (COPA) system and to the Director of Children's Services for review.

Prepares and submits reports in a timely manner.

Performs management oversight monitoring of assigned Early Head Start classrooms and services.

Provides follow-up services based on the assessment of needs.

Record Keeping and Reporting

Maintains records of children's progress, services provided, and behavioral data.

Produces requested reports, completes data entry, and maintains accurate records.

Maintains documentation of classroom observations, monitoring results, staff support, and follow-up actions.

Ensures confidential records are maintained in accordance with Agency procedures and applicable program standards.

Training and Supporting

Provides and supports staff training regarding early childhood strategies for infants and toddlers.

Promotes one-on-one, small-group, and large-group training and technical assistance for classroom staff.

Supports classroom setup and professional development for Teachers, Teacher Assistants, and center leadership.

Attends workshops, conferences, and training sessions.

Participates in data gathering, staff training, staff meetings, and ongoing quality improvement activities.

Supervising and Evaluating

Assists with updating job descriptions and performance evaluation plans for staff working in the Early Head Start program.

Participates in the selection process for hiring Early Head Start staff.

Serves on program committees and boards of other early childhood organizations affiliated with children and families of infants and toddlers.

Evaluates Early Head Start staff as assigned.

Additional Responsibilities

Performs other duties and assignments as directed by the Director of Children's Services.

Adheres to guidelines established by the Children's Services/Project Head Start Policies and Procedures Manual.

Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Child Care and Family Education, Early Childhood Development, or a related field, with a minimum of two (2) years of knowledge and experience working in an early childhood program or center that provides support to children and families. One to two (1–2) years of experience supervising staff is required. The incumbent must possess intermediate to advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, intermediate Excel, Outlook, and use of web search tools. The incumbent must be a team player, communicate effectively, maintain confidentiality, and demonstrate sound judgment and emotional stability. CLASS and CPR certification are preferred but not required upon hire.

Special Requirements

Applicant must pass Criminal Background and Child Abuse Central Registry Checks.

Applicant must meet State health requirements.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects when performing health services and operating an agency vehicle. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 40 lbs., if necessary, to lift a child. While performing the duties of this job, the employee primarily works in an indoor environment.

Supervisory Control

The Early Head Start Coordinator is directly responsible to the Director of Children's Services, who is responsible to the Vice President of Head Start and Early Childhood Programs. The Early Head Start Coordinator will be evaluated semi-annually by the Director of Children's Services. The evaluation will be conducted through performance monitoring and progress reviews and will be reviewed and approved by the Vice President of Head Start and Early Childhood Programs.

Agency Statement

Hinds County Human Resource Agency will provide reasonable accommodations for any known disability of an otherwise qualified employee to assist the employee in performing essential job duties, provided that these accommodations do not result in an undue hardship for the Agency. This job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards for the position. Incumbents may be required to follow instructions and perform other related duties required by their supervisor.