Director of Office of Early Learning

This position is exempt from the State of Delaware Merit System

Recruitment #071814-MUAH08-370100

Summary Statement

Delaware is seeking an experienced, high-energy, dedicated professional to lead early learning improvements in a State that is making rapid progress in creating a comprehensive early childhood system. This is an exciting opportunity for a professional interested in fast-paced, sustainable improvements in early childhood programs, policies and procedures. The Director will be responsible for overseeing the State’s early learning work, including leading the ongoing implementation of the Early Learning Challenge, evaluating current early education initiatives, building support for sustainability, advising the Governor’s Office and the Secretary of the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (“Cabinet Secretary”) regarding progress and challenges, and helping to establish a consolidated early learning governance structure. The selected candidate will work with a well-established alliance of stakeholders, agency representatives, elected officials, and others to inform them of progress and identify potential issues and to facilitate their support for early childhood initiatives.  The Director will supervise approximately 16 staff members and will report directly to the Cabinet Secretary and the Governor’s Office.

 

Essential Functions

This description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. The Director should expect to perform any other related activities needed to deliver the position’s key duties and responsibilities and to follow any other instructions as defined by the Cabinet Secretary or the Governor’s office.

 

  • Work collaboratively with system partners to achieve goal of increasing the opportunity for all of Delaware’s children to access high quality early childhood opportunities.
  • Work with Governor’s Office and Cabinet Secretary to establish a long-term structure and vision for a more consolidated and coordinated early childhood governance structure.
  • Lead work of early childhood team members overseeing implementation of a broad spectrum of statewide early childhood initiatives.
  • Build support for sustainability of initiatives that will improve early childhood opportunities.
  • Serve as the principal advisor to the Governor’s Office and the Cabinet Secretary regarding progress of initiatives, including identifying and accurately reporting progress and challenges to enable informed decisions.
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including providers, teachers, advocacy groups, elected officials, and others.
  • Represent Delaware in national early childhood forums.
  • Oversee progress of and communicate with federal funding agencies regarding Challenge grant implementation.
  • Respond to media requests and oversee development of communication strategies.

 

Job Requirements

Please attach a resume in DEL to provide a detailed description of how your education, training and/or experience meet each job requirement. Applicants must have education and experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

  1. Master’s Degree; Doctorate preferred.
  2. Two years experience in Executive level leadership and supervision.
  3. Two years experience in project management, including development of metrics and methods for tracking established goals.
  4. Two years experience in working with diverse groups and building coalitions to support policy changes and program improvements.
  5. Executive level experience in developing, monitoring and controlling budgetary expenditures.
  6. Experience developing and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders, advocacy groups, elected officials and others.
  7. Extensive experience with Early Childhood education.

Additional Posting Information

Over the last four years, the State of Delaware has undertaken major policy and financial commitments to put its young children first.  The State’s governance structure for early childhood policies and programs has been strengthened and State agencies have worked towards creation of a comprehensive system that serves the needs of all Delaware children. The State invested significantly in high-quality early childhood programs, adding $22M to the state operating budget in 2011 to support tiered-reimbursement for programs that meet the highest standards of Delaware’s Quality Rating and Improvement System. Less than one year later, Delaware received $49M in the federal Early Learning Challenge grant competition.  Efforts since then have put Delaware at the forefront of the nation’s early learning initiatives, with a focus on quality improvement supported by provider reimbursement rates, workforce development, kindergarten readiness, and increased use and availability of developmental screening tools and early childhood mental health supports for families and providers. 

 

Delaware’s system partners and government agencies have adopted a strategic plan for a comprehensive early childhood system that will achieve our shared statewide commitment that all Delaware children will have access to an integrated early childhood system, from birth through third grade, that provides high-quality services and an environment that supports their growth, development, and learning, and prepares them for success in school and life. A copy of Delaware’s strategic plan can be found here:

 

http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1111910791319-96/4.15.13-Early-Success-Presentation-v2.pdf.

 

The Director will lead a team of professionals, advise state policy leaders, and collaborate with a cross-sector alliance of community partners focused on the implementation of Delaware’s strategic plan for continuing early childhood improvements. The Director will oversee and accelerate the initiatives already underway while working with the Cabinet Secretary and the Governor's office to improve coordination and consolidation of the State's early childhood programs and policies and further support long-term, sustainable improvements that provide all children with a healthy start, high-quality early childhood programs, and an aligned and effective early learning system, birth through third grade.

 

Funding for this position comes through the Delaware Department of Education, with funds received through the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge award. The continuation of funding to support the position beyond the end of the Challenge grant depends upon sufficient state funds to support the position. The salary will be computed in accordance with classification, education levels, work experience of the individual selected, and other relevant factors. The candidate must demonstrate in the interview process an understanding of diversity issues as related to student achievement and the ability to apply the principles of multicultural education.

Conditions of Hire

Criminal background check: A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of hire. The recruiting agency may require the applicant to pay for the criminal background check as part of the conditional offer of hire.

Pre-employment Drug Testing: Upon a conditional offer, you must undergo pre-employment drug testing as part of the hiring process.

Benefits

To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at http://ben.omb.delaware.gov/

Selection Process

The application is evaluated based upon a rating of training and experience.

Once you have submitted your application on-line, all future correspondence related to your application will be sent via email. Please keep your contact information current. You may also view all correspondence sent to you by the State of Delaware in the “My Applications” tab at www.delawarestatejobs.com.

Accommodations

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process.  To request an auxiliary aid or service please call (302) 739-5458. TDD users should call the Delaware Relay Service Number 1-800-232-5460 for assistance.  The State of Delaware – An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.