Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

This position serves as a Center Operations Coordinator for the Head Start program. The Center Operations Coordinator serves as the operational lead for the center, ensuring compliance with all program policies/procedures and Head Start, licensing or other regulations. The Center Operations Coordinator is expected to always maintain program confidentiality. In addition, the Center Operations Coordinator is expected to be a positive ambassador for the MSU-Extension Head Start Program.

 Responsibilities:

The Center Operation Coordinator is primarily responsible for achieving the following outcomes for the Head Start program:

• Education: Assist the Educational Leader to ensure full implementation of all aspects of the Head Start program’s early learning system, policies/procedures, and tools with the goal of supporting all children to achieve School Readiness Goals.




• Ensure the completion of all required child screenings and assessments, including 45 and 90-day requirements for new children and quarterly progress assessments for all children.


• Ensure that classrooms, gym, and outdoor areas are supplied with developmentally appropriate materials and that all materials are in proper working order and safe for young children.


• Participate in team meetings, home visits, and community events as needed.

• Family Partnerships: Coordinate with Family Service team located at their site to ensure full implementation of family services and parent involvement (in consultation with Family Service Coordinators and Lead Advocates)

• Communication & Service Coordination Participate in regular team meetings to ensure effective communication and service coordination.

• Record Keeping & Reporting: In collaboration with the Center Operations Coordinator, ensure complete and accurate implementation of all MSU-Extension required systems for recordkeeping and reporting.




• Review quarterly MBO (managing by outcomes) report and ensure all concerns are addressed in a timely fashion.


• Monitor daily attendance and reports to ensure site follows Head Start Performance Standards.


• Individual child/family files


• Master binders


• Education portfolios or other documentation of early childhood education services


• In-kind contributions from parents or community members


• Purchasing and tracking of supplies and equipment


• Employee timekeeping 


• Child, family & program information in Shine Insight


• Child observations, assessment & planning information

• Ongoing Monitoring & Self-Assessment: Participate in annual program self-assessment




• Implement all monitoring systems required by MSU-Extension, childcare licensing, CACFP, or other agencies, including daily visual check of indoor & outdoor safety. Monthly or quarterly completion of health & safety monitoring tool.

• Program Governance and Leadership: Participate in annual and quarterly planning to set, plan for, and monitor program goals.




• Assist in establishing a focus for the education service area and act to align area’s goals with the strategic direction and needs of the center; ensure that employees in the area understand how their work relates to the center as a whole and the relevant regulations and performance standards.  


• Improve quality and effectiveness of education service area and overall organization by initiating, sponsoring and implementing organizational change and by helping others to successfully manage organizational change.


• Promote the consistent exchange of information and a cooperative environment within the leadership of the center. 


• Attend parent committees, Policy Council and leadership meetings as needed or requested.


• Ensure teachers and volunteers understand regulations associated with the prevention of occupational disease and injury, including the exercise of universal precautions.


• Recognize that your job description is service area-specific but not limited to: confidentiality, child abuse reporting, attendance and dependability, appropriate dress, customer service and support to all families, prudent use of program resources, and promoting and maintaining safe work environment.

·         Human Resources & Supervision: In collaboration with Education Leader, assist with staff supervision, ensure completion of all human resources activities, and ensure compliance with relevant policies and procedures.

• Hold monthly staff meetings to maintain health, safety, and compliance within the center operations.


• Submit annual performance evaluations in a timely manner.


• Work with center support staff under Center Operations Coordinator’s leadership to develop and support their individual development plan, including training plans


• Understand the personnel policies and procedures and that staff adhere to these policies.


• Instruct, train, and work effectively with the people you supervise from a variety of backgrounds and with differing levels/areas of training.


• Devise work methods and procedures that support improvements in existing work practices.

• Operations and Facilities: Serve as operational lead for the center, ensuring compliance with all program policies/procedures and Head Start, licensing or other regulations




• Ensures that facilities, materials, and equipment are safe, appropriate, and conducive to learning and reflective of the different ages and stage of development of each child, including children with disabilities.


• Ensures Center-based environments are free of toxins, such as smoke, lead, pesticides, and herbicides.


• Ensures arrangements and space, as well as types and use of materials and equipment, match grantees identified curriculum.


• Ensures the facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities as required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.


• Conduct and/or supervise monthly safety checks.

Non-Essential Duties:

• Performs any and all other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications:

•          Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood, Child Development or a related field

•          Experience in managing operational functions of a preschool program.

•          Current driver’s license & reliable form of transportation

•          Obtain certification in CPR and First Aid

•          Physical exam and background checks are required for this position.

•          Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

•          Travel required locally or long-distance, up to 10% of the time for work-related meetings and functions.

Preferred Qualifications:

·         Master’s preferred in related field

·         Previous experience in the education industry, preferable pre-K or Head Start.

·         Bilingual Spanish-English preferred

Job #651140