POSITION SUMMARY

 Livingston Educational Service Agency is seeking a dynamic and visionary Director of Early Childhood Educations and Programming to lead and innovate within both the Agency’s early childhood education programs and our partner programs, ensuring that each student exits 100% ready for kindergarten. This leader will play a pivotal role in evolving systems that ensure high-quality preschool experiences, foster collaboration, and prepare children for a successful transition to kindergarten.

The Director will oversee all aspects of early childhood programming grounded in the Head Start and Great Start Readiness models. This includes the development and implementation of innovative curriculum, collaboration across departments and organizations, and supporting a consortium of early childhood providers across the county as PreK for All expands. The Director will also work in concert with leaders of special education to increase inclusion and accessibility of students with special needs. With a commitment to excellence, equity, and the continuous improvement of our early childhood systems, this role is vital to the success of our youngest learners in Livingston County.

The successful candidate will have unquestioned ethics and integrity and will exemplify an innovative spirit focused on finding a way to say “yes” rather than “no”.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Note:  These duties and responsibilities are judged to be "essential functions" in terms of the Americans With Disabilities Act or ADA.   To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The statements below are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by a person in this position.  They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed by such a person. Other duties may be assigned.

Program Innovation:

• Design, implement, and evaluate forward-thinking early childhood education programs that prioritize high-quality experiences and measurable outcomes for children and families.
• Stay informed of research-based practices and emerging trends in early childhood education to ensure programs remain cutting-edge and effective.
• Lead the expansion of the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) across the county, developing and executing a comprehensive strategy that ensures equitable access, high-quality implementation, and strong collaboration with community-based organizations (CBOs). 

Collaboration and Leadership:

• Foster a culture of shared leadership and professional growth among staff.
• Build and sustain collaborative partnerships with families, educators, and community stakeholders to strengthen early childhood systems.
• Design and support a consortium of early childhood leaders in creating a collaborative, well-aligned, and effective leadership network dedicated to ensuring that all students have access to high-quality early learning experiences that prepare them for kindergarten and beyond. 
• Foster a shared vision, promote professional growth, and drive systemic improvements across early learning programs.

Special Education Preschool Integration:

• Ensure the seamless inclusion of children with special needs in early childhood programs, providing support to staff, families, and service providers to create equitable and inclusive learning environments.

Systems Building:

• Maintain cohesive systems that support the delivery of high-quality preschool education.
• Align early childhood programs with broader organizational goals and community needs, ensuring readiness for kindergarten and lifelong success.

Budget Development/Oversight Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the annual budget for the early childhood program, ensuring alignment with program goals, compliance with regulations, and efficient allocation of resources.
• Monitor expenditures, track funding sources, and adjust financial plans as needed to maintain fiscal responsibility while supporting program growth and quality improvements.

Supervision of Staff Responsibilities

• Conduct regular staff evaluations, provide effective feedback, and collaborate with team members to create individualized professional development plans that enhance teaching quality and support career growth.
• Foster a positive workplace culture by mentoring staff, addressing performance concerns, and facilitating opportunities for collaboration and continuous improvement within the team.

Commitment to Excellence:

• Establish and maintain rigorous standards for early learning programs, prioritizing equity, access, and inclusion for all children.
• Monitor program effectiveness through data-driven decision-making and continuous quality improvement practices.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Performs other related tasks as assigned.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

   Education:

• Master’s degree in early childhood education, Educational Leadership, Special Education, or a related field.
• Valid School Administrator Certificate issued by the MDE.
  • Candidates who demonstrate exceptional qualifications but do not currently hold an administrative certification may be considered provided they commit to obtaining the required certification within 3 years of their hire date. The selected candidate will be expected to actively pursue the necessary coursework and licensure during this period, with progress monitored annually to ensure timely completion.  Support may be available to assist the candidate in meeting this requirement.

  Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in early childhood education.
• Demonstrated success in program innovation, special education integration, and systems building.
• Networked with professional organizations such as MDE, Mi-LEAP, ECAN, Head Start, Michigan Head Start Association, Great Start Collaborative, National Association for the Education of Young Children, Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children.
• Utilized Creative Curriculum (or a comparable evidence-based preschool program), Teaching Strategies Gold, MiRegistry.

    Skills:

• Exceptional leadership, collaboration, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage complex systems and work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of early childhood education best practices, kindergarten readiness standards, and special education policies.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

OTHER SKILLS & ABILITIES

Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program; ability to plan and implement lessons based on division and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students to whom assigned.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents and community; ability to speak clear and concisely in written or oral communication.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will regularly sit, walk and stand. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being of students.

The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance in the workplace throughout his/her employment.

The Livingston Educational Service Agency does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, (including sexual orientation or transgender identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category (collectively, "Protected Classes"), in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities.

Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies should be directed to the Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services.