How exciting it was to search for federal agencies that I would love to work for, and with the quickness I found several that I love to apply for, and be considered for the positions. The first ideal job found was for the Texas Head Start Association, and the job title was Executive Director for their center for New Communities Early Head Start. The position consisted of reporting to the President and requires the expertise of a qualified individual with strong leadership, and the professional skill set necessary successfully administer and manage the program. The EHS Executive Director (ED) should be a visionary and a strategic leader who can work effectively in a dynamic, growing, multicultural, and collaborative program dedicated to serving the needs of 224 low income children and their families in the Bexar and Gillespie County areas. The qualifications the position was requiring B.A. required and M.A. or Ph.D. degree preferred and relevant credentials/certificates in education administration, public administration, early childhood development, education, special education, social work, developmental psychology, or other appropriate field; At least 5-8 years’ experience in administering a comprehensive, community-based early childhood education and family development program; Familiarity with the budgetary, administrative, and organizational complexity of managing multiple grants; Prior senior management experience in Early Head Start or Head Start preferred.
The Second position that caught my eye was the Director of Program Services for Texas Head Start Association. The job description consisted of the EHS/HS Director of Program Services is responsible for helping to ensure the entire Head Start program mandates and standard for excellence are met on a daily basis. This position participates in the development of the structure, systems and procedures to facilitate a high quality EHS/HS program. Qualification it is seeking Bachelor’s Degree required from an accredited college or university. Major in any of the following disciplines preferred: Education, Educational Administration, and Business Administration Management. If major is in a non-management discipline, must also have at least 24 semester unites in administration, management or equivalent. Additional experience in administration may be substituted for required education on a year to year basis. Minimum 3-5 years of progressive more responsible management experience. Direct experience in managing government funded program is highly desired. Head Start experience was a plus for this position.
Lastly, I found a position of a Compliance Manger for Texas Head Start Association. The job description was someone who Implements and facilitates the Agency’s Review of Contract (ROC) process; documents enterprise-wide compliance program; researches, develops and reviews compliance policies, procedures, processes and compliance aides for adherence to funder requirements and government regulations and otherwise supports the Agency’s regulatory compliance function. Stays informed on current issues affecting Agency operations and programs. The qualifications for this job was a Bachelor’s degree from four-year college or university in Business, Education, Mathematics, Science, or any other related field. Advanced degree preferred but not required. Must have previous professional experience with regulatory compliance , and/or contract compliance management. Current professional certifications in compliance and/or contract functions strongly preferred. I strongly feel I may not have the qualifications for this position, but sure would love to be considered for this position. This would be something I would love to try in the Head Start Field.
All positions were with federal Head Start agencies, and out of the three I feel strongly for the first two, due to I’m fully qualified for both.
Stacy D. Almendarez 