Position Function:
This position serves as a Center Operation Coordinator for the Head Start program. The Center Operation Coordinator serves as the operational lead for the center, ensuring compliance with all program policies/procedures and Head Start, licensing or other regulations.
Salary Grade: 13
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Department Profile:
Throughout its history, Mississippi State University-Extension has demonstrated a deep and abiding commitment to programs that directly impact young children and their families. In the past decade, MSU-Extension has distinguished itself as Mississippi’s premier infrastructural support of high-quality early childhood education.
Area of Specialization:
MSU-Extension Head Start Programs - Hancock County
Anticipated Appointment Date:
October 2025.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
This position serves as a Center Operations Coordinator for the Head Start program. The Center Operations Coordinator serves as the operational lead for the center, ensuring compliance with all program policies/procedures and Head Start, licensing or other regulations. The Center Operations Coordinator is expected to maintain program confidentiality at all times. In addition, the Center Operations Coordinator is expected to be a positive ambassador for the MSU-Extension Head Start Program.
Responsibilities:
The Center Operation Coordinator is primarily responsible for achieving the following outcomes for the Head Start program:
• Education: Assist the Educational Leader to ensure full implementation of all aspects of the Head Start program’s early learning system, policies/procedures, and tools with the goal of supporting all children to achieve School Readiness Goals.
o Ensure the completion of all required child screenings and assessments, including 45 and 90-day requirements for new children and quarterly progress assessments for all children.
o Ensure that classrooms, gym, and outdoor areas are supplied with developmentally appropriate materials and that all materials are in proper working order and safe for young children.
o Participate in team meetings, home visits, and community events as needed.
• Family Partnerships: Coordinate with Family Service team located at their site to ensure full implementation of family services and parent involvement (in consultation with Family Service Coordinators and Lead Advocates)
o Model strong, positive relationships with families.
o Support Family Advocates to implement all aspects of family services program, including planning monthly Family Engagement meetings, any parent/teacher conferences, and policy council.
o Coordinate training for parents and community members wanting to volunteer in centers.
• Communication & Service Coordination Participate in regular team meetings to ensure effective communication and service coordination.
o Attend local, state and regional initiatives to represent the center and to develop professionally.
o Ensure children’s individual health, nutrition, disabilities or mental health needs are met, through the implementation of referral system, coordination with appropriate coordinators/specialists, and participation in case conferences as necessary.
o Develop a working knowledge of local community resources related to education and transition.
o Actively participate in the Head Start community, including staff meetings, mandated training, committee meetings, and other program-wide functions as needed, including some evening activities.
o Ensure complete and accurate implementation of all required systems for recordkeeping and reporting, including: Individual child/family files, Master binders, Education portfolios or other documentation of early childhood education services, In-kind contributions from parents or community members, Purchasing and tracking of supplies and equipment, Employee timekeeping, Employee paid time off, Child, family & program information in Shine Insight.
• Record Keeping & Reporting:. In collaboration with the Center Operations Coordinator, ensure complete and accurate implementation of all MSU-Extension required systems for recordkeeping and reporting.
o Review quarterly MBO (managing by outcomes) report and ensure all concerns are addressed in a timely fashion.
o Monitor daily attendance and reports to ensure site is in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards.
o Individual child/family files
o Master binders
o Education portfolios or other documentation of early childhood education services
o In-kind contributions from parents or community members
o Purchasing and tracking of supplies and equipment
o Employee timekeeping
o Child, family & program information in Shine Insight
o Child observations, assessment & planning information
• Ongoing Monitoring & Self-Assessment: Participate in annual program self-assessment
o Implement all monitoring systems required by MSU-Extension, childcare licensing, CACFP, or other agencies, including daily visual check of indoor & outdoor safety. Monthly or quarterly completion of health & safety monitoring tool.
• Program Governance and Leadership: Participate in annual and quarterly planning to set, plan for, and monitor program goals.
o Assist in establishing a focus for the education service area and act to align area’s goals with the strategic direction and needs of the center; ensure that employees in the area understand how their work relates to the center as a whole and the relevant regulations and performance standards.
o Improve quality and effectiveness of education service area and overall organization by initiating, sponsoring and implementing organizational change and by helping others to successfully manage organizational change.
o Promote the consistent exchange of information and a cooperative environment within the leadership of the center.
o Attend parent committees, Policy Council and leadership meetings as needed or requested.
o Ensure teachers and volunteers understand regulations associated with the prevention of occupational disease and injury, including the exercise of universal precautions.
o Recognize that your job description is service area-specific but not limited to: confidentiality, child abuse reporting, attendance and dependability, appropriate dress, customer service and support to all families, prudent use of program resources, and promoting and maintaining safe work environment.
• Human Resources & Supervision: In collaboration with Education Leader, assist with staff supervision, ensure completion of all human resources activities, and ensure compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
o Hold monthly staff meetings to maintain health, safety, and compliance within the center operations.
o Submit annual performance evaluations in a timely manner.
o Work with center support staff under Center Operations Coordinator’s leadership to develop and support their individual development plan, including training plans
o Understand the personnel policies and procedures and that staff adhere to these policies.
o Instruct, train, and work effectively with the people you supervise from a variety of backgrounds and with differing levels/areas of training.
o Devise work methods and procedures that support improvements in existing work practices.
• Operations and Facilities: Serve as operational lead for the center, ensuring compliance with all program policies/procedures and Head Start, licensing or other regulations
o Ensures that facilities, materials, and equipment are safe, appropriate, and conducive to learning and reflective of the different ages and stage of development of each child, including children with disabilities.
o Ensures Center-based environments are free of toxins, such as smoke, lead, pesticides, and herbicides.
o Ensures arrangements and space, as well as types and use of materials and equipment, match grantees identified curriculum.
o Ensures the facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities as required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
o Conduct and/or supervise monthly safety checks.
Non-Essential Duties:
• Performs any and all other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood, Child Development or a related field
Experience:
• Experience in managing operational functions of a preschool program.
Licensures:
• Current driver’s license & reliable form of transportation
• Obtain certification in CPR and First Aid
• Physical exam and background checks are required for this position.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Master’s preferred in related field
• Previous experience in the education industry, preferable pre-K or Head Start.
• Bilingual Spanish-English preferred
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Knowledge of health and safety licensing requirements (if applicable)
• Ability to interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated computer literacy skills, using MS Office applications and other basic data systems including internet navigation.
• Must be honest, dependable and able to meet deadlines.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Physical Requirements:
• Ability to sit most of the time with some bending and reaching.
• Ability to stand, walk, and bend periodically.
• Able to lift a child weighing 40 pounds, 20 times a day if needed.
Work Environment:
• Travel required locally or long-distance up to 10% of the time for work-related meetings and functions.
• Work is generally performed in an office environment.
• Noise level in the work environment is moderate to occasionally loud (examples: business office with computers and printers, light to moderate traffic, human voices).
• Standard office equipment generally used includes:
• Telephone
• Personal Computer (monitor, keyboard, and mouse) or Tablet
• Printer/Photocopy Machine
• Calculator
• Fax Machine
Instructions for Applying:
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
All applicants MUST apply online at www.jobs.msstate.edu to be considered for this position.
The following documents and information are required for application:
• Cover Letter
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information for at least three professional references
• Current unofficial transcript (with social security numbers removed prior to submission)
An official transcript will be required if selected for employment.
Screening Date:
September 27, 2025, until filled.
Restricted Clause:
Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
