Job Description

Posting number: 194266

Department: First Steps

Division: SC First Steps

Job classification: Program Manager II

Posting type: Open

Categories: Planning and Development, Education, Project Management, Program Management

Summary

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Are you an experienced professional looking for new opportunities to further your career? South Carolina First Steps is seeking a hardworking and dependable candidate just like you to apply! This position will offer great benefits with the state, including 15 days of annual and sick leave per year or more depending on applicable state service.

A cover letter and resume are required by the agency to be considered for this position.

The Responsibilities of the Senior Director of 4K Operations:

The Senior Director of 4K Operations will work under the supervision of the Chief of Early Learning. This employee will provide operational oversight for the functions that support the First Steps 4K provider network, including site recruitment and retention, contracting and compliance, classroom resources, and family engagement. First Steps 4K directs more than $50 million in state funding through its statewide 4K program, and this position ensures timely, accurate pre-contracting and contracting processes for nearly 350 4K sites while supporting the leadership team in continuous quality improvement strategies. Designs and implements First Steps 4K processes that align with and support the strategic vision of the Agency Director and the Chief of Early Learning. Drives organizational effectiveness across the full lifecycle of a 4K Provider's partnership with First Steps 4K, including contracting, classroom material logistics, ongoing performance monitoring, contractual compliance, family engagement, classroom behavioral support resources, and contract renewal. Leads the development and continuous improvement of internal standard operating procedures and facilitates the annual review and maintenance of public-facing operational documentation. Serves as the senior-level point of escalation for inclusion practices and behavioral intervention support.

Knowledge of high-quality standards in publicly funded preschool settings, grants management, contract management, compliance monitoring, technical assistance and training. Demonstrated ability to develop and improve operational and classroom guidelines annually in a fast paced environment. Excellent written and oral communication skills required. Ability to learn and interpret laws, regulations, policies related to publicly funded education. Ability to build and maintain strong internal and external relationship skills. Ability to manage organizational change, resolve complex issues, and make sound decisions that support program integrity and the strategic goals of SC First Steps.

• Manages the 4K team's operational activities, including but not limited to 4K Provider compliance and success monitoring, classroom resource management, student enrollment, resource development and referral, and family engagement. Identifies operational challenges and provides thought leadership on solutions. Explores opportunities for innovative approaches to supporting the delivery of the 4K Program, including but not limited to technical solutions, trainings, and workflow automations. Supervises 4K reporting efforts by collecting and sharing operational datapoints to inform accountability reports, national surveys of program operations, and tracking on the strategic plan. Monitors administrative data to identify performance issues, compliance trends, and CQI prospects. Provides guidance on best practices for refining operations and assuring quality among 4K providers.
• Oversees the First Steps 4K team's Provider contracting processes. This includes supporting the Director of 4K Recruitment and Retention in identifying high-quality partners that align with the strategic vision of Executive Leadership, communicating with Providers during the pre-contracting and contracting process, and monitoring contract submissions to ensure that deadlines are met. Reviews requests for mid-year contract amendments, manages operational implications of mid-year contract changes, and acts as a liaison with the Contracts and Finance team. Supervises the internal off boarding of sites following the end of contracting periods or contract terminations. Serves as a senior-level escalation point for 4K Providers, offering advanced collaborative solutions while ensuring problem-solving is consistent with the mission and guidelines of the 4K program.
• Collaborates with the Chief of Early Learning and Executive Leadership to develop standard operating procedures for the First Steps 4K team. Drafts policies, procedures, and protocols related to 4K Provider operations. Facilitates the annual updating of public-facing operational documentation, including 4K Operational Guidelines, Classroom Guidelines, and the Provider Contract, to reflect innovations to the approach while ensuring alignment with the mission and vision of the 4K Program. In collaboration with the Director of 4K Professional Development, supports the development and implementation of internal and external training and resources on new 4K processes and procedures among staff and partners.
• Supports the development and implementation of statewide protocols related to inclusion practices, behavioral support, and transition planning. Supports the Director of 4K Family Engagement with complex behavioral, exclusionary, and classroom resource cases through recommendations and technical assistance. Supports the 4K Administrative Manager in refining enrollment processes. Serves as the senior-level escalation point for family and site concerns, disputes, and grievances requiring problem-solving, mediation, and cross-agency support. Oversees contracts with partner agencies providing classroom and family support. Ensures high-quality customer service across the 4K operations team.
• Supervises staff to include preparing performance planning and evaluation documents and related personnel paperwork. Coaches. counsels and trains employees. Establishes and monitors work processes. Implement management policies and initiatives and promote teamwork.
• Other duties as assigned.

Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application will be required to bring a copy of college transcript to the interview. A copy of the transcript may also be uploaded as an attachment to the application, if required by the hiring department or if desired by the applicant. Please note that some areas of the Agency may require an official, certified copy of the transcript prior to hiring or within a specific timeframe required by that area, after hiring. Failure to produce an official, certified transcript may result in not being hired or termination.

Examples of duties

• A bachelor's degree in early education, education, public health or a related field with a minimum of five years' experience managing publicly funded grants and contracts with supervision responsibilities. Experience navigating complex family situations within childcare settings is ideal; specific experience working with Part B or C funding is a plus.

Additional Requirements:

• Must display the ability to work independently.
• Must have excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Must have excellent attention to detail.
• Must be reliable and prompt.
• Must have the ability to work in a team environment.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in early education, education, public health, or a related field.

Supplemental information

SC First Steps is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

SC First Steps offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:

1. Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouses, and children. Click here for additional information.
2. 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
3. 15 days sick leave per year
4. 13 paid holidays
5. Paid Parental Leave
6. S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)
7. Retirement benefit choices*
8. State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
9. State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.