This position is exempt from the State of Delaware Merit System
Recruitment #071814-MUAH08-370100
Opening Date | 7/26/2014 12:00:00 AM |
---|---|
Closing Date | 8/29/2014 11:59:00 PM |
Type of Recruitment | Open Competitive |
Salary | Determined by the Department of Education Pay Scale |
Salary Plan | M37 |
Pay Grade |
EDA |
Employment Type |
Actual Vacancy |
Employment Term |
Regular |
Agency | DSCYF |
Location(s) |
Carvel State Office Building: (820 N French St., Wilmington, DE, 19801) |
Contact Name | DSCYF Human Resources |
Contact Phone | 302-633-2553 |
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.
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.
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:
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:
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.
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.
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.