Assistant Director, Educational Services

Overview

Assistant Director, Educational Services — University of Southern California

The USC School for Early Childhood Education (SECE) seeks an enthusiastic, creative, dynamic, and team-oriented individual to provide direction, oversight, and support for all services related to early learning and education. This role ensures sites meet accreditation standards and childcare requirements (e.g., licensing, health and safety regulations) and may acknowledge and correct deficiencies that constitute immediate threats to children\'s health and safety. The position may file reports as required by governmental or agency guidelines and regulations.

Responsibilities And Duties

• Develops, directs and implements SECE\'s education component. Plans and organizes SECE program services. Monitors data. Ensures a comprehensive and integrated approach to learning and compliance with program performance standards and regulations (e.g., state, federal, Community Care Licensing).
• Provides strategic leadership, oversight, and accountability for the educational components of the Head Start and CA State Preschool Program (CSPP), ensuring teaching and learning practices meet or exceed federal and state requirements.
• Maintains readiness for federal and state reviews, audits and monitoring visits through proactive compliance oversight.
• Collaborates with Service Area leaders to implement high quality, research-based curriculum that promotes school readiness, supports individualized learning, and reflects developmentally appropriate practices.
• Supports and implements SECE\'s vision and program goals; confers with stakeholders to review achievements and discuss required changes (goals, objectives, program emphasis).
• Analyzes data to make operational changes; ensures high-quality service delivery.
• Reviews analysis of activities, costs and operations; forecasts data to progress toward goals and objectives.
• Assists in preparing grant proposals and in regular review and annual update of the agency\'s strategic plan.
• Facilitates and designs training and professional development.
• Oversees collection, analysis, and interpretation of child assessment and outcome data; uses data to inform instructional practices and professional development needs.
• Maintains full compliance with federal, state and local regulations; develops program internal policies and procedures; ensures a holistic approach and collaboration with all comprehensive service departments.
• Requires CLASS certification and CLASS observations and implementation across all classrooms.
• Supervises and provides guidance to Family Advocates, Home Base Educators and team, and State Preschool Staff as well as administrative staff to implement strategies to recruit and enroll children, engage parents, support parent-child relationships and integrate engagement activities.
• Collaborates with other managers to develop and implement staff and parent training plans to meet family needs.
• Ensures all Program Information Reporting (PIR) is accounted for in all service areas; work plans and program delivery are assessed to meet community needs.
• Fosters a workplace culture where all employees are valued and have opportunities to contribute, in accordance with the USC Code of Ethics.
• Other duties as assigned.

Schedule/Hours

The position requires flexible hours, including weekend and evening work and some travel.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Development, Education, Psychology, or related field.
• 5 years of progressive leadership experience in early childhood education, including 3 years in a leadership or administrative capacity.
• Demonstrated experience in Head Start and CA Department of Education (CDE) regulations, and Community Care Licensing.
• Experience in a large-scale childcare facility.
• California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Child Development Program Director\'s Permit.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master\'s in Early Childhood Development, Education, Psychology, or related field.
• 7 years of progressive leadership experience.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and collaborate with outside agencies.
• Effective written and verbal communication; ability to work well in a team environment.
• Knowledge of Head Start/ Early Head Start Performance Standards.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to climb stairs, reach, bend, lift 20-30 pounds, crawl, kneel, stoop, twist, grasp with hands and fingers, use arms and legs, walk, and climb ladders if applicable. Includes lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; significant stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling as part of the job.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Physical exam
• TB test
• Background/fingerprint clearance
• MMR and Tdap vaccinations
• CPR
• Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training

Salary

$95,000 - $115,000. When extending an offer of employment, USC considers factors such as scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate\'s experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, and applicable laws and contractual considerations.