Early Childhood Services Program Manager (Program Manager), Grade N25 II
Job Description
Please note: The salary range above represents this position’s earning potential. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be $83,556 - $127,297, based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.”
WHO WE ARE
Montgomery County is located adjacent to Washington, D.C., and with over one million residents, is the most populous County in the State of Maryland. The County is also the most diverse County in the State and ranks among the top ten most diverse Counties in the nation. Montgomery County contains many major U.S. government offices, scientific research and learning centers, and business campuses.
The Department of Health and Human Services, (HHS) is responsible for delivery of the County’s public health and human services that meets the needs of our community’s most vulnerable children, adults and seniors. The Department provides services through more than 120 programs at more than 20 locations. With over 2,000 employees, the Department of Health and Human Services is the largest County Department.
As a department, we believe the health and wellness of the county can only be achieved by ensuring that every resident has fair opportunities to reach their fullest potential. This means access to quality housing, transportation, education, employment, health care, human services, safe neighborhoods, and healthy food. HHS provides critical services for residents who face a variety of obstacles in achieving their full potential. HHS plays an essential role in building a healthy and strong community.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
The Department of Health and Human Services, Children, Youth, and Family Services Division, is currently recruiting for a collaborative, mission-driven leader to join our Early Childhood Services team as a Program Manager II overseeing Programmatic Supports. In this role, you will develop and ensure meaningful professional development supports for early childhood (EC) professionals and lead EC program quality-enhancement efforts, all to help children, families, and educators succeed.
The Early Childhood Services Program Manager II plays a critical role in promoting and advancing early childhood programs’ quality and early childhood educators' skill capacity through evidence-based, strengths-based, and culturally responsive approaches.
The core focus areas and responsibilities of this position will include, but will not be limited to:
Program development and oversight:
- Designing and implementing Early Childhood Programmatic Support services (Professional Development and Quality Enhancement), including, but not limited to, training and quality enhancement efforts within Child Care Support Services that meet local and state early care and learning requirements.
Collaboration and Community Engagement:
- Representing the County in stakeholder meetings, workgroups, and steering committees to build strategic partnerships and expand early childhood initiatives.
- Collaborating with colleagues to develop innovative strategies for early care and education, Grant & Fiscal Management.
- Overseeing grant implementation for the Child Care Resource Center, including attending monthly Director meetings, completing quarterly action plans, and end-of-year reporting,
- Monitoring contracts and purchase orders for compliance with county policies.
Data and Quality Assurance:
- Developing standardized processes for accurate and reliable data collection and analysis.
Leadership and Supervision:
- Overseeing, orienting, coaching, training, and evaluating lower-level staff to ensure program goals are being met.
- Performing other job-related duties as assigned.
Candidates should have the following knowledge and skills as it relates to early childhood education:
- Knowledge of and experience with Maryland’s Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) related to center (Title 13A STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION Subtitle 16 CHILD CARE CENTERS) and family-based (13A STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION Subtitle 15 FAMILY CHILD CARE regulations).
- Knowledge of and experience with National and State quality improvement efforts (Accreditation, EXCELS, etc.).
- Knowledge of and experience with professional development pathways such as the Maryland Child Care Credential, the Child Development Association (CDA), and higher education options.
- Experience developing and implementing childcare career-focused training for and to adults utilizing adult learning principles.
- Knowledge of and experience with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Approved Trainer Approval Process.
Bilingual candidates in Amharic, French, and/or Spanish are encouraged to apply.
The selected candidate will be required to successfully complete a medical history review and background check, including a criminal history records check through the Maryland State Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. Any applicants who fail the medical exam and/or criminal records check may be disqualified from further consideration for this position.
Experience: Thorough (5) years of professional experience in Early Childhood Services/Education as a capacity builder who has provided professional development training and quality enhancement supports to the early childhood community. This experience should include a minimum of two (2) years of supervisory experience within the early care and education field supervising staff (ex: Head Start, Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies, etc.)
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
Bilingual candidates in Amharic, French, and/or Spanish are encouraged to apply.
Preferred Criteria:
The applications of those individuals meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed to determine the extent, relevance of training, and experience in the following areas:
- Experience providing professional development training and quality enhancement supports to the early childhood community;
- Experience developing and implementing childcare career-focused training for and to adults, utilizing adult learning principles.
- Bachelor's degree in early childhood education or related field (Psychology, Human Growth and Development, Family Studies, etc.).
- Multilingual skills, preferably related to Amharic, French, and/or Spanish.
- Supervisory and performance management experience.