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Head Start Education and Disability Manager
Washington, USA
Posted on Jul 4, 2026
Nooksack Indian Tribe Job Description
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Job Title: HEAD START EDUCATION and DISABILITY MANAGER
Department: Early Childhood Education
Reports To: Head Start Director
Job Status: Exempt
Type: Regular Full-Time
Grade: K
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JOB SUMMARY:
The Head Start Education & Disabilities Manager is primarily responsible for providing leadership, coordination and oversight in the planning and implementation of a comprehensive child development program that meets all Head Start Program Performance Standards and program requirements. This position promotes the use of developmentally appropriate practices, child development principles, and effective adult learning strategies while recognizing and supporting parents and families as the primary educators of their children. The Education & Disabilities Manager works collaboratively with Head Start staff, families, community partners and local education agencies to implement curriculum, teaching strategies, and inclusive practices that support school readiness, individualized learning and the cultural and language heritage of enrolled children and families.
MAJ OR TASKS ANO RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strong staff and child relationship skills are required. Must be able to work effectively with a variety or personalities and individuals in a professional manner. This position requires the ability to interact with parents, children, families and tribal employees with tact, courtesy, respect, objectivity, professionalism and maturity.
Disabilities Services
- Collaborates with teaching staff to monitor and support developmental screenings, assessments and individualized learning needs of children.
- I n coordination with the Health Services Coordinator, facilities referrals for children with suspected or identified special needs to Nooksack Tribal Health, SEAS, local school districts and other community agencies for additional screening, evaluation and support services.
- Ensures Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) and Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals are incorporated into individualized lessons plans and classroom activities to support each child’s developmental progress.
- Establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with community partners, service providers, and professional agencies 10 ensure coordinated and timely delivery of services for children and families.
- Moni tors and maintains appropriate records for each chi ld. with emphasis on developmental progress, participation in educational activities, and progress toward individualized goals identified by staff and families.
- Maintains accurate. organized, and confidential documentation of assessments, screenings, referrals, meetings, family interactions, and service coordination activities in accordance with program policies and confidentiality requirements.
Staff Development Training:
- Completes and submits the Program Information Report (Pl R). required reports, and other documentation to the Head Start Director in accordance with program timelines and reporting requirements.
- Provides direct supervision, coaching, mentoring and performance feedback to Lead Teachers and education staff to support quality classroom instruction, professional growth, and compliance with program standards.
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- Assists teaching staff in interpreting and utilizing child assessment data to support individualized instruction, classroom planning, school readiness goals, and culturally and linguistically appropriate lesson plans.
- Conducts classroom observations and engages staff in collaborative problem-solving, reflective practice, and implementation of improvement strategies to strengthen teaching practices and child outcomes.
- Monitors staff training requirements, certifications, credentials, professional development plans, and ongoing compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, program policies and procedures, and Tribal personnel policies.
- Collaborates with Head Start Training and Technical Assistance providers, program leadership, and other content area staff to ensure education services, coaching practices, and classroom operations align with program goals and regulatory requirements.
- Attends and actively participates in required meetings, trainings, workshops, conferences, and professional development activities, including facilitating monthly teaching staff meetings.
- Assists in planning program activities and events and supports the effective use of volunteers by providing orientation, guidance, and classroom support.
- Provides administrative oversight and guidance related to child assessments, disabilities documentation, classroom recordkeeping, educational compliance requirements, and confidential file maintenance.
Family Support:
- Develops and implements strategies that support parents and families as the primary educators of their children and encourages meaningful family involvement in program activities, curriculum planning, and decision-making processes.
- Builds and maintains positive, respectful, and collaborative relationships with children, families, staff, and community partners to promote a supportive and team-oriented environment.
- Conducts required family home visits, parent-teacher conferences, and ongoing family communication in accordance with Head Start Program Performance Standards and individual family needs.
- Collaborates with families, teaching staff, and local school district programs to support successful transitions into and out of Head Start services and kindergarten programs.
Administration:
- Oversees the daily administration and coordination of the Education and Disabilities service area in compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, tribal policies and program procedures.
- Maintains accurate and organized program records, documentation, monitoring files, and confidential child/family information related to education and disability services.
- Coordinates and monitors data collection, tracking systems, child outcomes, school readiness goals, attendance, developmental screenings, CLASS data and assessment information.
- Prepares reports, summaries, and supporting documentation for leadership, Policy Council, Tribal Council, Office of Head Start reviews, audits, ongoing monitoring, and program planning activities.
- Participates in self-assessment, community assessment, ongoing monitoring, correction action planning, and continuous quality improvement efforts.
- Maintains inventory and oversight of classroom educational materials, curriculum supplies, adaptive equipment, and disabilities resources.
- Collaborate with local school districts, early intervention providers, therapists, and community partners to support coordinated services for children with disabilities.
- Ensures timely completion and submission of required reports, data entries, and documentation within ChildPlus, Teaching Strategies GOLD, and other program systems.
OTHER DUTIES:
Because of the Tribe's commitment to community service and the well-being of its members, each employee may be expected to perform a wide range of office and field duties from time to time. Such duties ay or may not be related to their regular responsibilities.
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PREFERENCE:
- Indian Preference Policy applies to this and all positions with the Nooksack Indian Tribe.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The following qualifications are required for the incumbent to have, in order to be considered for the position.
REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING FOR POSITION:
- Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education from and accredited college or university; preferred.
- OR
Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from an accredited college, university
- OR
Baccalaureate or advanced degree and equivalent coursework in early childhood education with early education teaching experience.
- Minimum three (3) years' experience teaching ages 3-5 years old; Head Start experience preferred.
- Experience working with Native American families and community, and culturally responsive practices.
- Previous supervisory or leadership experience in early childhood education field preferred.
REQUIRED SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES POSITION:
- Experience working with children with disabilities and/or behavioral and emotional challenges.
- Experience providing staff development training.
- Experience providing instruction in a classroom setting.
- Must pass a physical exam stating clear of communicable diseases and fit for duty.
- Must be willing to work non-traditional work hours/days on occasion.
- Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards.
- Knowledge and experience maintaining program records.
- Knowledge of curriculum development and academic planning methods.
- Knowledge of and the ability to identify learning styles and disabilities.
- Knowledge of disability screening methods and services available.
- Knowledge of behavior management techniques.
- Skill in establishing and maintaining an organized work environment.
- Skill in employee supervision.
- Skill in modeling positive behavior.
- Ability to effectively supervise Teachers, Teacher Aids, and volunteers.
- Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with families.
- Ability to develop effective lesson plans.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
- Ability to demonstrate effective interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work effectively with a culturally diverse community.
- Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.
- Ability to identify learning styles and disabilities.
REQUIRED CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
- Must pass alcohol/drug test at time of hire and throughout employment.
- Must pass criminal background check at time of hire and periodically thereafter.
- Must obtain Hepatitis B Vaccination within 120 days of hire.
- Must pass and provide a Physicians Certificate that employee is fit and capable of performing the physical demands of position (completed annually).
- Must maintain current certification in Child & Adult First Aid & CPR (Must obtain within 60 days of Hire)
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Obtain within 30 days and maintain throughout employment: Food Handler's Permit
- Obtain and maintain throughout employment: Other required certifications e.g. Bloodborne Pathogens
REQUIRED LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS:
- Must have and maintain throughout employment a valid Washington State Driver's License and meet the insurability requirements of the Tribe. (Must Provide Driving Abstract at time of hire).
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.):
The standard work week is 8:30-5:00 Monday through Friday (occasionally may have to work evenings)
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods and frequently required to talk and listen.
- Sitting for extended periods while at a desk or in meetings.
- Ability to engage at child's level, may include kneeling, sitting on floor, bending.
- Ability to walk up/down stairs and on uneven surfaces.
- Engage and interact with children in all program spaces, including bus, playground, and classrooms as needed.
- Manual dexterity to operate a keyboard, calculator, and telephone system
- Ability to lift up to 20+ pounds without assistance occasionally.
- Typical office setting with environmentally controlled conditions.
- Read, write, speak and understand English
- Ability to listen, understands clients, and has the ability to translate guidelines, regulations, and policies to clients so they understand the issues/problems.
- Operate in mentally and physically stressful situations with composure.
- May have to walk/drive between office locations under a variety of conditions.
- Must be able to bend, reach, kneel, twist, and grip from assigned work areas.
DESIRED SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES POSITION
The following qualifications are preferred/helpful for the incumbent who has these skills/knowledge or abilities for this position.
- Preferred: Master's Degree in Child Development or Early Childhood Education.
- Experience in professional development, coaching and individualized mentoring in the early childhood education field.
I have read and understand the position requirements as stated above I further, understand that occasionally I may be instructed to perform duties that are not listed above but are relative to my position.
The Tribe hopes that the employment relationship will be long and productive, however the Tribe is an employer at-will therefore you may terminate the employment relationship at any time and likewise the Tribe may terminate the employment relationship at any time. Neither you nor the Tribe needs to provide a reason for a decision to terminate the employment relationship.
Employee's Signature Date
Supervisor's Signature