Program Special Project Manager

Under the supervision of the Head Start Director this position has three major responsibilities:

1. To apply professional expertise in program design and implementation of educational projects outside of the typical daily operations of Head Start of Lane County that lie within the realm of Head Start Performance Standards.
2. Be the leader of the agencies special projects with responsibility for overseeing the development and coordination between people and groups working on a project. This requires formulating, organizing and monitoring inter-connected projects.
3. To provide mentoring and training for Regional Managers and Assistant Regional Managers and provide support to the sites as needed.

Planning. Planning is the essential duty of the special project manager. Determining what needs to be done, who is going to do it, and when it needs to be done are all part of the planning process. Planning is an iterative process that takes place throughout the life of a project. Some key planning duties include:

1. Define and clarify project scope
2. Develop the project plan
3. Develop the project schedule
4. Develop policies and procedures to support the achievement of the project objectives

Organizing. Setting up the project’s structure. Some of the key organizing duties include:

1. Determine the organizational structure of the project
2. Identify project team roles and positions if needed.
3. Identify services to be provided by external organizations
4. Staff project positions

Leading. Leading refers to carrying out the project plan in order to achieve the project objectives. Leading the project involves a lot of “soft skills”. Skills such as communicating clearly, team motivation, and conflict resolution. Some key duties for leading projects include:

1. Setting direction
2. Coordinating activities across different organizational functions
3. Motivating others
4. Assigning work

Directing. Directing is keeping the project on track. Project directing can be performed using a three-step process.

1. Measuring: Checking project progress toward meeting its objectives
2. Evaluating: Determining the cause of deviations from the plan
3. Correcting: Taking corrective actions to address the deviations

Some key directing duties include:

1. Defining project baselines
2. Tracking project progress
3. Project status reporting
4. Determining and taking corrective actions

Examples of current Special Projects within the Agency

Research Projects Liaison

• Work as the liaison between Head Start of Lane County and Educational or Community Groups with research grants focusing on the domains of Head Start of Lane County.
• Promote collaboration among research grantees and Head Start of Lane County.

Coordination of Parent Education: SEEKERS Program

• Develop, maintain and oversee the training of the volunteers in the SEEKERS Program
• Work with the SEEKERS Advisory Committee to maintain the ongoing function of the program

Systems and Services for Dual Language Learners and Their Families

• Annual completion of the Program Preparedness Checklist, or its equivalent.
• Oversee the implementation areas of the GIP that relate to the Program Preparedness Checklist, Dual Language Learners and their families.
• Provide professional development for teachers and staff to meet the needs of Dual Language Learners and their families.

Organizational Planning

1. Provide Training and support to Regional Managers and Assistant Regional Managers as requested by the Head Start Director.
2. Provide back up support for Regional Managers to support regions and classroom sites as needed.
3. Provide assistance and consultation to assure that written policies and procedures are updated and assure compliance with standards and regulations.
4. Perform other duties as assigned.

• BA/BS or MA in Early Childhood Education, Business Administration, Project Management, Non-profit Administration, or related field.
• Proven experience as a Program Manager or other managerial position.
• Experience acting as a liaison with research groups; especially those of higher education.
• Excellent knowledge of performance evaluation and change management principles.
• Advanced teaching or training skills.
• Outstanding leadership and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication skills. In-depth knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards.
• Ability to set and revise policies and procedures while brokering buy-in from all stakeholders.
• Demonstrate capacity to frame complex situations and present options.
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office; working knowledge of program/project management software (Basecamp, MS Project, etc.).
• Current enrollment in Child Care Division-Central Background Registry/fingerprinting.
• Valid Oregon Driver’s License/ Proof of auto insurance/DMV check.

• Self-motivation, excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Working collaboratively within a multi-disciplined team.
• Ability to prioritize, organize multiple projects and shifting priorities.
• Ability to facilitate diverse functional teams and forums.
• Ability to work independently, while collaborating with agency and community resources.
• Ability to provide compliance monitoring in a proactive and supportive manner.
• Ability to translate theory and professional training into practical solutions.

All communications are potentially sensitive and are subject to Head Start’s policy on confidentiality.

• 48 weeks,
• Exempt Position/Non Barg Unit
• Supervised by Head Start Director

Head Start of Lane County is an EEO Employer.

Policy Council approved: April 2017

Edited: August 2021

This job description was last updated on 08/11/2021. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This job description is subject to change at any time.

Head Start of Lane County is an EEO Employer.
Head Start of Lane County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Are you able to perform all of the duties stated in the job description?

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