Center Operations Coordinator

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