01.04.03 - Education Coordinator Job Description

Education Coordinator Job Description Policy Number and Last Update
(01.04.03/05-2016)

Title: Education Coordinator

Responsible To:  Head Start Director

Supervises: Education staff

FLSA: Non-exempt

General Summary

Under the supervision of the Head Start Director oversees and directs the planning, organizing, and implementation of education services for children. These services contribute to the increased social competence in children and the recognition and enhancement of parents as the primary educators of their children.

Qualifications and Requirements:

  1. Baccalaureate or advance degree in early childhood education or child development; or
  2. A baccalaureate or advanced degree in education with an Illinois Pre-K certification;
  3. Have knowledge and experience in the philosophy and practices of Head Start (or comparable child development programs), early childhood education, developmentally appropriate practice, and bilingual education;
  4. Preferred Spanish-speaking, experience with migrant farm workers;
  5. Proof of a physical examination within the last six months, which includes a tuberculosis test, and comply with other background checks as required by the Agency and/or DCFS licensing;
  6. Personal qualifications as required in Part 407: Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers, emotional maturity, willingness to cooperate with the aims of the program, respect for children and adults, flexibility, patience, good personal hygiene, and physical and mental health which does not interfere with responsibilities; and
  7. Have education or experience in collaborating with parents in the education of their children.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

  1. Participate in grantee and delegate component pre-service training;
  2. Perform the functions of this position with a strong understanding of the Head Start Performance Standards and the component plans; Head Start child development outcomes; and thorough knowledge and application of Developmentally Appropriate Practices;
  3. Deliver pre-service and monthly in-service training sessions to teaching staff;
  4. Monitor the implementation of IMSHS curricula in the classroom;
  5. Supervise all classroom practices - room arrangement, lesson plans, daily schedules, routines, and transitions to assure their adherence to program policies;
  6. Carry out recommendations of the grantee education manager for program improvement;
  7. Supervise children's assessment, including weekly observations in each area, examples of the child's work, developmental assessments, and children's assessment data entry and outcome reports;
  8. Supervise that Home visits and parent conferences are done per IMSHS requirements and that they are used to discuss the child's individual development and progress, assisting the parents in developing observational skills and soliciting parent observations;
  9. Lead responsibility for implementing Family Literacy Program;
  10. Identify and prioritize materials and equipment needed in classrooms and playgrounds, and coordinate with director in making purchases;
  11. Lead responsibility for parent involvement in education services as per HS requirements;
  12. Coordinate the transition of children to Kindergarten, and assist with the children's transition to their next destination at the end of the season.
  13. Work cooperatively with other component coordinators to plan education services integrated with health, mental health, dental health, nutrition, parent involvement, and social services;
  14. Attend staff training and meetings, and board and parent meetings as requested;
  15. Assist individual staff members in identifying their training needs, and improving their knowledge and abilities;
  16. Participate in the development of I.E.P. (Individual Education Plan) or I.F.S.P.'s (Individual Family Service Plan);
  17. Assist in recruiting and orienting volunteers, providing them with guidance as needed;
  18. Complete and submit required reports to the Grantee office, Delegate Director, Board of Directors, and Policy Committee in a timely and accurate fashion;
  19. Evaluate the performance of teaching staff, at the end of probation and annually thereafter, and recommend subsequent personnel action to director;
  20. Actively participate in the development and implementation of the Teacher Professional Development Plan;
  21. Assure that files and documentation are complete, accurate, and confidentially maintained; and,
  22. Perform other duties, as may be required.

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.

Additional Requirements:

  1. Requires ability to use abstract reasoning, problem solving, planning, and analytical skills in: training, evaluation, and program development;
  2. Requires effective interpersonal and oral communication skills for supervisory duties;
  3. Requires effective writing and oral communication skills to conduct meetings and training sessions, and to prepare reports that are clear, complete, comprehensive, and use good grammar and punctuation;
  4. Successful experience working in a team setting;
  5. Ability to present a positive image of the organization to members of the community;
  6. Visual and auditory acuity within professionally determined normal ranges, with correction if need;
  7. Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer and office equipment, including, but not limited to, the telephone, fax machine, copier, and tape recorder;
  8. Must be able to lift 55 pounds;
  9. Must be able to travel, enter and exit a vehicle without assistance, and withstand exposure to adverse weather conditions; and
  10. Experience successfully working with a culturally diverse staff and clients.

Working Conditions:

  1. Possible exposure to blood and bodily fluids or tissues;
  2. Possible exposure to communicable diseases;
  3. Job requires sitting for long period of time (during planning and reporting) and standing for long periods of time (during observations and training), as well as stooping, squatting, and running;
  4. A moderate amount of driving is required.