Address:  14050 N 83rd Ave
Peoria, AZ 85381

Salary: $96,990/annually 

Grade: 25

The Maricopa Regional Area Director’s primary responsibility is the management and oversight of the day-to-day operations of the Maricopa Regional Area Team, which includes the following four regions: East Maricopa, Northwest Maricopa, Southeast Maricopa and Southwest Maricopa.

The Regional Area Director’s role is to ensure the efficient operation of the four regional partnership councils and associated programs under the responsibility of the position, and to develop and implement strategic long-range plans that support advancing the early childhood system in the regional area. The position requires substantial effort to coordinate and work with community leaders, local, state, tribal and federal government officials, private entities and faith-based groups to improve the quality and access to early childhood programs to effectively prepare children to start school ready to learn. The Maricopa Regional Area Director will supervise the East Maricopa, Northwest Maricopa, Southeast Maricopa and Southwest Maricopa Regional Specialists and the Administrative Specialist III as direct reports to support each regional council and the overall organizational efforts. The Maricopa Regional Area Director also works in close partnership with other Regional Area Directors, the Tribal Area Regional Director, Tribal Regional Specialists and cross-departmentally to coordinate efforts.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

• Responsible for supervising a regional team with multiple team members, located in multiple communities.
• Support four regional councils, including East Maricopa, Northwest Maricopa, Southeast Maricopa and Southwest Maricopa, and the 11 volunteer members on each regional council in meeting FTF statutory requirements:
• Plan and prepare for regional partnership council meetings, committees of the regional partnership council or community meetings; abide by the Open Meeting Law and ensure meeting objectives are met while utilizing appropriate interpersonal skills to effectively facilitate meetings with culturally diverse populations.
• Facilitate FTF’s Regional Strategic Planning process with the regional partnership councils and community stakeholders to create a multi-year strategic plan, with annual funding plans, that reflects regional and tribal priorities in alignment with FTF’s strategic direction. The Regional Area Director works in coordination with multi-disciplinary support and expertise of the internal FTF teams to develop plans.
• Plan for and support the initial and ongoing development of regional council members so they can fulfill their roles and responsibilities more effectively. Increases council members' self-satisfaction for their contributions to advancing the work. Identifies and recruits new council members.
• Know and understand the big picture and develop an organized, interrelated network of elements, programs and services that work together for all children. Identify opportunities to leverage resources, infrastructure, capacity building and political relationships in the region. Provide leadership, coordination and collaboration with various early childhood development and health organizations, agencies and community partners in the development and/or support for the local early childhood system in alignment with statewide efforts. This comprehensive approach includes involvement from all sectors: health, mental health, family support, early care and education community from preschool through higher education; faith communities, business, philanthropic organizations and others. Identify key issues and topics and present this information using a logical, systematic, sequential approach. Evaluates and interprets available information and resources to develop effective and viable recommendations or solutions.
• Clearly convey information and ideas through a variety of methods to individuals or groups in a manner that helps them understand and retain the information/message, while engaging diverse audiences.
• Utilize strong supervisory skills to lead, coach, inform and mentor staff to foster individual and team professional development. Develop and inspire regional team members to be successful in their roles.
• Responsible for day-to-day operations such as maintaining internal fiscal budgets and promoting sound fiscal practices for the regional area.
• Collaborate with internal colleagues across the organizational departments to support the mission and vision of FTF.
• Oversee the strategic planning and implementation process by supporting and coaching regional coordinators in their work with regional council members and community stakeholders.
• Understand and respect tribal sovereignty, including following tribal protocols and procedures to advance early childhood services and programs funded by the regional partnership councils.
• As assigned, will assist with some aspects of the regional council member appointment process from recruitment to onboarding of new and/or returning members.
• Use systems thinking approaches to engage staff, regional council members, local community members and organizations in collaborative efforts that lead to systems change.
• Lead a team that conducts coordination and collaboration efforts with local and statewide partners, including public, private and tribal.
• Performs duties in a manner that supports the First Things First internal culture and mission with respect and cooperation.
• Supports additional opportunities as related to the role and regional area functions.

• Master’s degree in early education, social work, education, health, public administration or other related fields preferred.
  
• Demonstrate progressively-responsible leadership positions in public, private and/or non-profit organizations.
  
• Possess an understanding of how to effectively support and supervise staff members and collaborate as part of cross-departmental or cross-regional teams.
  
• Experience in working effectively with volunteers to achieve identified outcomes. Background leading or serving community-based boards of directors preferred.
  
• Knowledge of issues, programs and policy related to the early childhood system.
  
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategic plans and work with cross-functional internal teams to develop, implement, and monitor regional strategies and initiatives that impact tribal communities.
  
• Ability to monitor, analyze, synthesize and report complicated data to diverse audiences.
  
• Exhibit highly developed interpersonal relations skills, demonstrating ability to effectively articulate and rally support to achieve identified goals.
  
• Outstanding oral and written communications skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly and succinctly to diverse audiences.
  
• An understanding of how to work effectively in tribal communities and respect tribal sovereignty is preferred.
  
• Familiarity with the Maricopa Regional Area Team, which includes the following four regions that make up the area: East Maricopa, Northwest Maricopa, Southeast Maricopa and Southwest Maricopa.
  
• Ability to travel, including overnight stays. This remote, community-based position also requires regular in-person participation at meetings held outside the immediate service area.
  

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

ASRS

HR@FirstThingsFirst.org