Director, Kindergarten Readiness - Early Childhood Education Department (2021-22)

Ref. 9056 Position must be posted for a minimum of 10 days. Note: This position is funded through grants and is a non-permanent position. Candidates selected for the position will not be guaranteed the role beyond the funding of the grant. TITLE: Director, Kindergarten Readiness REPORTS TO: Assigned Supervisor DEPARTMENT: ECE CLASSIFICATION: Classified Management FLSA: Exempt WORK YEAR/HOURS: 261 days/7.5 hours or duty days and hours as assigned ISSUED: Created: October 2021 SALARY GRADE: ADCL 18 BASIC FUNCTION: Plan, organize and, coordinate programs to: ensure that children and families are ready to enter kindergarten as measured by the state's readiness standards; provide efficient and effective early learning and development system, as determined by community needs, offering a full range of services in a safe, healthful and nurturing environments; complement the elementary program academically in the school age Child Development Center program by targeting the standards by grade level that have most leverage; and engage, educate and support parents in their role as advocates for their children in the public school system. Develop P12 systems of transition, enrollment and student support services to promote school readiness. Develop instructional materials, processes, and procedures for Transitional Kindergarten (TK); research existing Transitional Kindergarten programs; determine location of, and enrollment policies for, District TK programs; and participate in local and state professional learning communities. REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES: Incumbent may perform any combination of the essential functions shown below. This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with this classification, but are intended to accurately reflect the principal job elements. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Develop horizontal alignment strategies with the Community Schools & Student Services department to ensure school readiness. Collaborate with ECE Executive Director to design research based models and practices to create P12 systems, facilitate service delivery and communications for student success. Collaborate with the ECE Director of Quality Enhancement & Professional Development, Director of Instruction, and Literacy Coordinator develop P-3 curricular alignment. Collaborate with the Curriculum and Literacy unit to develop and support kinder-readiness instructional staff. Oversee the development and implementation of the District's core curriculum to include the State Common Core Standards/Pre-K Foundations in TK. Partner with local institutions of higher education to provide professional development to Transitional Kindergarten (TK) teachers and administrators in culturally & developmentally-appropriate instructional practices for TK classrooms. Facilitate the collaborative creation of a TK development plan for the District, which includes a continuum of professional development for teachers in partnership with the Early Literacy Department. Identify explicit areas of increased responsibilities for District staff to fully integrate TK into existing instructional frameworks, and finalization of TK policy for long-term program implementation. Systematize Pre K-K assessments. Develop alignment strategies that strengthen continuity and ease transition from Pre K-K, professional development opportunities and teacher collaboration between Pre K-K, communication protocols and family engagement systems. Develop, coordinate, and implement professional development opportunities for assigned staff to build capacity of the District's strategic plan and the department's focus areas and other areas as needed. Collaborative with Special Education to innovate family-school-community partnership strategies. Collaborate with internal/external partners to develop a campaign to increase timely community enrollment for Kinder/TK and transition activities. Design systems with elementary school attendance specialists to support OUSD rising Kinder/TK enrollment. Oversee Kindergarten Readiness program and develop expansion in alignment with District strategic plan. Supervise Kindergarten Readiness Managers. Analyze and review budgetary and financial data; monitor and authorize expenditures in accordance with established guidelines; utilize computer spreadsheet software programs. Generate revenues in excess of actual program costs to build appropriate reserves. Collaborate with ECE Executive Director to work within community ECE landscape to leverage funds and partner with other grantees. Cultivate and foster cross sector partnerships to augment funding streams and program functioning; seek out alternative funding sources through grants and other sources to support early learning strategic plans. Manage contracts with vendors and with the District. Manage funding streams and grants that are external to the District. Orient early learning principals in kindergarten readiness initiatives and programming. Assist in local, State and Federal reports including assessment and Desired Results profiles. Supervise and evaluate the performance of Kindergarten Readiness program staff; interview and select employees and recommend transfers, reassignment, termination and disciplinary actions; plan, coordinate and arrange for appropriate training of staff. Work cooperatively with Human Resources in the recruitment, development, interviewing, selection, assignment, transfer, and separation of early childhood education personnel. Implement human resources procedures not provided by the District such as permit monitoring, staffing, labor related issues, development of Board resolutions and development of staff handbooks. Provide cross-training to other staff members within the department. Perform related duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS: The District determines whether a candidate is qualified based on fulfillment of prerequisites, relevant work experience, ability to perform the essential functions, reference checks, effective interpersonal and communication skills demonstrated by interview performance and/or writing samples, and achievement on performance-based assessments (if applicable) that demonstrate the candidate possesses the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities. Meeting prerequisites only satisfies the initial screening process and does not indicate the candidate is qualified to perform the essential functions of the position. KNOWLEDGE OF: Principles of organization and management Laws, rules, and regulations governing early childhood education and early childhood development programs and utilization of various forms of assessment to guide and design instruction for children and youth Budget development, maintenance, and evaluation Funding systems and resources, including grant writing Effective employee supervision and evaluation procedures and techniques Understanding of historical inequities in the Oakland community and amongst cultural/ethnic groups Diversity, sensitivity and humility with regard to issues of race, learning or other ability, ethnicity, religion, gender, socio-economic group, sexuality or other orientations or cultural markers Current District curriculum and school instructional programs in Preschool, TK and Kindergarten Adult learning theory Methods to interpret, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures related to work scope Applicable federal, state, and District codes, regulations, policies and procedures governing work scope ABILITIY TO: Exhibit the qualities of leadership essential to the successful administration of a comprehensive program of early childhood education and childhood development Speak and write effectively Work effectively with all segments of the educational community and general public Rapidly assimilate the facts, conditions, and implications of problems suddenly thrust upon the office and to organize an effective administrative response to them Design and implement procedures Supervise and direct a large staff or department Translate Board and District policy to various employees, individuals and groups Plan, organize, coordinate and direct a variety of complex operations within a large school district PREREQUISITES: Bachelor Degree in Education, Counseling, Social Work or related field. Seven (7) years teaching experience or experience in pupil personnel services with at least two years of progressively responsible management experience Teaching experience with youth and adults Experience working with a variety of agencies and other community resources involved with students and families preferred Valid California Driver's License, if applicable PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS: Employment eligibility will include fingerprints, tuberculosis and/or other employment clearance WORKING CONDITIONS ENVIRONMENT: Indoor office and diverse school settings; driving a vehicle to conduct work; fast-paced work, constant interruptions; exposure to a variety of childhood and adult diseases and illnesses; occasional exposure to a variety of weather conditions PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Consistent mental alertness; sitting or standing for extended periods of time; lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling objects up to 30 pounds, occasionally 30+ pounds; bending and twisting at the waist, reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally; dexterity of both hands and fingers while performing duties; seeing to read, write and use the computer; hearing and speaking to exchange information, in person or on the telephone, and make presentations. NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY: The Oakland Unified School District does not discriminate in any program, activity, or in employment on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, gender, sex, or sexual orientation.

Primary Location: Early Childhood Education Department
Salary Range: $99,020.19 - $126,403.41 / Per Year
Shift Type: Full-Time

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