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Early Childhood Director, Department of Human Service Programs

JOB TITLE: Early Childhood Director
DEPARTMENT: Department of Human Service Programs (City of Cambridge)
JOB CODE/POSITION #: M250-701

CIVIL SERVICE: Non-Civil Service

HOURS OF WORK: 37.5 hours per week. Some evenings and weekends required.

UNION AFFILIATION: None

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

About the organization:
Launched in 2015, the Birth to Third Grade Partnership (B3) is a collaboration between the Cambridge Public Schools and the City of Cambridge. B3 serves as Cambridge's central coordinating hub for early childhood and seeks to address three primary goals:
  1. To build the quality of early education efforts;
  2. To increase access to high quality preschools for the most underserved families; and
  3. To improve collaboration between systems that support families with young children.
About the position:
The Early Childhood Director is responsible for helping to set overall strategy to advance the goals of the Birth to Third Grade Partnership. The Early Childhood Director also provides leadership and oversight for the B3 programs, including the Program Quality Improvement Program, a family scholarship program, and city-sponsored professional development offerings. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this position works to support and sustain early education and care landscape. This position will be a leader and stakeholder as the City of Cambridge moves to a Universal Pre-K system. The Early Childhood Director will report to the Assistant City Manager of Human Services and the Cambridge Public Schools Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education. Worksite is in the Cambridge Public School Administration Offices, alongside senior school department management.

Responsibilities include:
Program Leadership, Management, & Supervision
  • Lead Program Quality Improvement System for early childhood programs, including cohort recruitment, agreements with community providers, and oversight of evaluation activities.
  • Manage network of 20 high quality preschools that accept city-sponsored scholarships provided to eligible low-income families, including RFP process, provider selection, and contracts with sites.
  • Facilitate city-wide programming, such as home visiting, that promote strong family engagement and support as well as contribute to children's positive health outcomes.
  • Manage contracts with programs and vendors, ensuring compliance with funding requirements and fiscal sponsor stipulations.
  • Develop and manage B3 budget.
  • Supervise program staff and external consultants, promoting a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and excellence.
Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration
  • Form and collaborate with ad hoc working groups that address particular goal related programming areas.
  • Build relationships with relevant local and state agencies involved with providing subsidies to low income families, such as the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.
  • Engage with relevant Cambridge Public Schools departments, e.g. Office of Student Support Services, Research and Assessment, Elementary Education, and others to promote effective and efficient deployment of system resources supporting teaching and learning.
  • Develop strategic partnerships with peer organizations and early education leaders to promote and/or enhance B3's program models, outcomes, and sustainability.
Thought Leadership and Communications
  • Partner with other initiatives and programs in the City of Cambridge focused on children birth to three to help assure smooth and successful transition into formal preschool programs and public schools.
  • Develop communication tools that support the cohesion, coordination, and alignment of early childhood programming as well as contribute to best practices.
  • Be a point of contact for the City, School District, and other external partners for centralized information and status on Cambridge's UPK initiatives and implementation efforts.
  • Pursue new, innovative mission-driven program opportunities, develop program ideas, launch and oversee the implementation of partnerships that expand early childhood services.
  • Draft presentations, reports, and updates to key internal and external stakeholder groups, such as district leadership, School Committee, City Council, and other partners.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
B3 is seeking an experienced leader in early childhood education who has demonstrated experience in program management, system-level thinking, and cross-sector collaborations. A commitment to centering diversity, equity, and inclusion is essential.
  • At least 10-years of experience in the field of early childhood education, research, or policy.
  • Master's degree in early childhood education or related field.
  • Demonstrated skill and experience in successfully managing multi-faceted complex projects and navigating public systems, such as large urban districts, city government, or state departments.
  • Deep knowledge of early childhood best practices that lead to positive student outcomes and success in public schools.
  • Familiarity with early childhood service delivery models in family-care, center-based, and school settings.
  • Knowledge of and experience in use of assessment tools and approaches to evaluate early childhood programs.
  • Experience developing budgets, forecasting needs, and managing resources.
  • Familiarly with the Cambridge providers, practices and politics, and transition into public schools a plus.
  • Experience working with diverse populations as well as in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Standard office environment. Fluorescent lighting, carpeted floors and air conditioning. Moderate noise level.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Ability to access, input and retrieve information from a computer. Ability to answer phones and maintain multiple files and be able to lift a minimum of at least 10 pounds. Ability to travel throughout the City of Cambridge to various meetings, etc.

RATE: $112,731-$130,786 annually plus excellent benefits

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Internal applicants submit a job bidding form and 2 copies of both your resume and letter of interest; external applicants submit both your resume and letter of interest via email to: employment@cambridgema.gov or to the Personnel Dept, Room 309, City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA 02139. Fax 617-349-4312. Position will remain open until filled.

PLEASE DO NOT APPLY ONLINE TO THIS POSTING

THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. WOMEN, MINORITIES, VETERANS, MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY, AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. CITY OF CAMBRIDGE RESIDENTS ARE ESPECIALLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

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