The Director of Early Childhood Services is responsible for administering the full spectrum of Early Intervention, Head Start, PreK Counts, and other programs that support early learners. This position oversees classroom and consultative services, the development of the annual Special Education Plan and budgets, and program evaluation. The Director must liaise with state and federal agencies, advocacy groups, and parent organizations to ensure effective program delivery and compliance with special education requirements.

Essential Functions

• Collaborates with the Executive Director, Assistant to the Executive Director, and administration for the purpose of creating a singular focus on developing a high performing organization in student services and an administrative team.
• Leads the Department of Early Childhood Services by providing oversight and monitoring of fiscal and personnel operations, establishing positive working relationships with local district directors of special education and pupil services, early childhood providers, intermediate units, central office administration, and local stakeholders to advance early childhood services.
• Works closely with intermediate unit departments, state and federal level officials involved in education and service decision-making.
  Direct, supervise, and evaluate the efforts of the administration of each program/service of oversight.
  Serve as an active member of the executive leadership team, articulating a clear and shared vision of providing quality and cost-efficient programs and service for the early childhood community, while upholding the policies of the Board of Directors and implementing administrative guidelines and procedures.  
• Provide leadership (and keep informed) regarding state and federal regulations, memoranda, and legislation related to early childhood education.
• Develop and oversee the DCIU Comprehensive Special Education Plan as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Office of Early Childhood Education.
• Administer and coordinate activities of administrative and supervisory staff related to program development, evaluation, curriculum, and staff development.
  Maintain liaison with private and public service agencies and schools regarding exceptional children’s education.
• Lead and supervise the completion and submission of required Pennsylvania Department of Education reports.
• Build internal and external partnerships to support the efforts of DCIU programs and initiatives and other organizations that serve children, ensuring positive relationships through outstanding customer service.
• Act as an entrepreneurial leader for the organization by developing and implementing new services and programs and revising services and programs at the DCIU.
• Maintain the confidentiality of privileged information.
• Evaluate and advise the Executive Director on the impact of long-range planning, introduction of new programs, strategies, and regulatory mandates.
• Foster a success-oriented, accountable environment within the DCIU.
• Provide leadership, design ideas, and action plans for innovative initiatives.
• Propose and lead development of grant proposals to Foundations and other organizations to secure funding.
• Assist with the collective bargaining process and contract administration (e.g. all association contracts and agreements) for the purpose of ensuring current contracts are administered correctly and future contracts are conducive to operational efficiencies.

Other Functions

Performs other duties as requested and/or assigned.