Head Start Assistant Director of Operations - JOB ID# 13685 at Capitol Region Education Council
Capitol Region Education Council · Hartford, United States Of America · Onsite
- Professional
- Office in Hartford
- Position Type:
Administration (Non Certified) - Date Posted:
11/6/2025 - Location:
CREC Head Start South - Closing Date:
11/20/2025 Additional Information: Show/Hide - Assist the Director in providing general oversight of the program supporting staff, events, and activities.
- Serve as the key point of contact in the absence of the Director.
- Responsible for planning, assigning, and reviewing work; budgeting for events; hiring new employees; establishing performance standards; providing training and guidance; coaching and developing staff to maximize their potential; and appraising employee performance.
- Assist the Director in overseeing, monitoring, guiding, and supporting all CREC partners in implementing a high-quality program.
- Oversee all center operations; provide coaching and direction to the Site Supervisors.
- Supervises Education and Disabilities Specialist and provides oversight of the education content area, including services for children with disabilities.
- Oversee fiscal activities and budget management for assigned content areas, participate in procurement, and ensure safeguards related to state, local, and federal regulatory bodies.
- Review and approve hours and overtime for all employees on the assigned team in advance, ensuring accuracy and compliance with policies; make personnel decisions within the scope of authority, handling matters that do not require higher-level approval.
- Compile data required for monthly, quarterly, and annual reports; coordinate reporting to appropriate entities, including the annual Program Information Report (PIR).
- Assist the Director in overseeing, monitoring, providing direction and regular communication with partners/subcontractors, Site Supervisors, staff, families, and CREC administration.
- Assist the Education & Disabilities Specialist in planning and managing the professional development of staff; assisting staff with the acquisition of appropriate supplies, materials and equipment.
- Develop and implement operational procedures related to the annual goal-setting process.
- Assist in creating, fostering, and maintaining a positive culture and climate across the program and support the mission and vision of CREC.
- Actively participate in meetings and strategy sessions to stay informed on priorities, raise issues, and provide feedback
- Evaluate program functions, system policies, procedures, and day-to-day routine tasks to ensure compliance and efficiency.
- Issue timelines to correct areas of weakness, non-compliance, and deficiencies; issues follow-up reports.
- Attend all workshops, meetings, and activities as deemed necessary by the Director.
- Conduct regularly scheduled operations meetings.
- Model and ensure that employees perform their duties in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures, and in alignment with organizational best practices.
- Model exemplary ethical behavior, demonstrate careful and responsible management of program funds, and support staff in maintaining these same high standards.
- Become thoroughly familiar with, and adhere to CREC’s Employee Handbook, Human Resources Policies and Procedures, and Head Start Program Performance Standards.
- Maintain strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start/Early Head Start children, families, and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.
- Comply with all company policies and procedures.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Visionary Leadership - Displays passion and optimism; Inspires respect and trust; Mobilizes others to fulfill the vision; Provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates.
- Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
- Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals.; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
- Judgement - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
- Written & Oral Communication - Speaks and writes clearly; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Speaks and writes clearly and informatively; Varies communication style to meet needs; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
- Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
- Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; Analyzes market and competition; Identifies external threats and opportunities; Adapts strategy to changing conditions.
- Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
- Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
- Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs work flows and procedures.
- Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
- Delegation - Delegates work assignments; Matches the responsibility to the person; Gives authority to work independently; Sets expectations and monitors delegated activities; Provides recognition for results.
- Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.
- Diversity & Ethics - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Treats people with respect; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce; Keeps commitments; Works with integrity; Upholds organizational values.
- Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
- Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
- Project Management - Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities.
- Managing People - Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; Makes self available to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products and services.; Continually works to improve supervisory skills.
- Bachelor's Degree (BA) from four-year college or university, and five years of management/supervisory related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience in special education and/or educating/serving children with special needs is a plus.
- Must have a minimum of three years of management and administrative experience, preferably in an Early Childhood Educational setting.
- Bilingual ability in English/Spanish preferred.
- Knowledge of Head Start, Child Care licensing, and /or NAEYC accreditation preferred.
- Must be able to demonstrate computer literacy and proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
- Group Health Insurance Plans
- Basic & Supplemental Life Insurance
- Long Term Disability & Short Term Disability options
- 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with Employer Matching Contribution if applicable
- Flexible Spending Account Pre-Tax Savings for Health Care, Dependent Care, and Limited Purpose Post Deductible (if contributing to an HSA)
- Comprehensive benefit time package
- Employee Assistance Program
- Bereavement time & Religious Holidays
- Credit Union Access
- Tuition Reimbursement Program
- Employee Network Groups
- Access to professional learning opportunities with two fully paid courses through CREC University each year, empowering you to expand your skills and advance your career!
- Benefit from our exclusive partnership with Springfield College, offering a 15% discount on tuition for next-level degree programs to support your academic and career aspirations
| Head Start Assistant Director of Operations - JOB ID# 13685 | JobID: 13685 |
JOB DESCRIPTION
Since 1966, the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) has been dedicated to providing innovative, high-quality, and cost-effective educational programs and services to meet the diverse needs of children and adults in Greater Hartford. Serving 33 member districts and reaching additional communities statewide, CREC supports approximately 12,000 students annually through more than 120 educational programs. Our offerings include professional learning and coaching for educators, specialized programming for students with diverse needs, and PreK-12 education across 16 interdistrict magnet schools. Additionally, CREC provides school construction, operations, and cooperative business services, while also delivering programs that help adults build real, job-ready skills.POSITION SUMMARY:
The Assistant Director of Operations for CREC’s Head Start and Early Head Start program is responsible for assisting the Director in providing strategic leadership and direction for children, families, and early childhood educators throughout the service area. This role will assist the Director, in partnership with the Head Start Leadership team, in setting goals and overseeing the program's direction. The Assistant Director of Operations will ensure the implementation of best practices through direct supervision of center operations and the educational component, performing advanced-level work, developing, implementing, and maintaining ongoing quality. The Assistant Director of Operations will develop relationships with CREC staff and administration, program staff, Head Start partners, community partners, and families to ensure a successful Head Start and Early Head Start program.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:
Duties/Responsibilities
Duties/Responsibilities
Duties/Responsibilities
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
This position manages, and is responsible for, the performance management of the employees of the department and assists with hiring as needed.
COMPETENCIES:
QUALIFICATIONS:
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Motor Vehicle Operator's License is required to provide on-site supervision, meetings, trainings, and professional learning opportunities as required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Working in CREC’s Early Childhood program requires prolonged standing/movement, frequent bending and crouching, lifting and carrying materials, fine motor skills for
manipulating small objects, clear speaking voice, good vision and hearing, the ability to focus on multiple tasks simultaneously, and sometimes the need to move quickly to respond to student needs. Staff require the ability to work in a high-energy environment with varying noise levels (from quiet to loud) based on student activity. Staff is expected to work both indoors and outdoors (as needed) and may be expected to participate in off-site field experiences.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION STATEMENT:
CREC strives to understand and confront the symptoms and causes of racism and prejudice—ranging from biases to aggressions to discriminatory policies, practices, and traditions—that harm people from systemically marginalized groups or that benefit privileged groups. CREC staff and students acknowledge and respect people of all identifiers, such as race, socioeconomic status, gender identity and expression, education, age, ability, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, language, nationality, religion, and veteran status.
DISCLAIMER STATEMENT:
The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
To access the job description and salary range document, please click https://www.crec.org/careers/jobs.php
Additional benefits
Receive jobs via email
