Area Leader (Mitchell Center) 10/20/2025

Job Description

Job DescriptionSalary: $74,635 - $76,935

Summary

South Central Child Development, Inc. (SCCD) is a federally funded, comprehensive Early Childhood program providing educational, health, nutrition, transportation and family support, since 1986, to children between 3 and 5 years old. SCCDs Head Start Preschool and family services operates within 16 counties in South Central South Dakota. SCCD is seeking a compassionate and dedicated individual who is driven by making a positive difference in the community by executing our mission: South Central Child Development, Inc. is committed to the development of children and families using an integrated approach of comprehensive early childhood education, family support and community involvement.

Under the supervision of the Executive Director, the Area Leader provides leadership and oversight for the daily operations of their assigned center. This position is responsible for ensuring effective management of staff, maintaining facilities, and promoting the education, health, and safety of enrolled children. The Area Leader ensures compliance with all Head Start Program Performance Standards and organizational policies. This role requires demonstrated expertise in early childhood education, strong leadership and teamwork skills, and proficiency in time management, communication, Microsoft Office applications, and on-the-spot problem-solving.

Duties and Responsibilities

Education

• Review Lesson Plans for content , individualization , and DRDP documentation
• Supervise assigned personnel, provide guidance and assist with the observation and documentation of child outcomes
• Assist in developmental assessments of children within 45 days of their enrollment
• Lead Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meetings and provide Level 1 support for staff
• Complete weekly Active Supervision checklist

Disabilities

• Assist in the planning of individual curriculum for special needs children with assistance from the Disabilities Coordinator or Education Cooperative (individualized curriculum to meet the needs of each child)
• Maintain a working relationship and partnership with schools and multi-district Education Cooperatives
• Provide guidance and support to parents, staff and volunteers on disabilities

Health and Safety

• Provide timely and proper documentation of screenings (growth assessments, vision, hearing, lead)
• Maintain proper documentation and implementation of Health Care Plans and Allergies
• Provide timely coordination and documentation of physicals, dentals, examinations, etc. to the Health Coordinator.

Mental Health

• Assist families with identified mental health needs through the proper documentation and referral(s) to the appropriate resource agencies in conjunction with consulting with the Mental Health Coordinator and Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT).
• Act as a liaison between the program staff and the MDT

Nutrition

• Coordinate timely child nutrition assessments
• Coordinate, review and submit the daily recordkeeping (including attendance and production records) for meal claim reimbursements (CACFP)
• Coordinate with the Family Advocate and Health Coordinator to provide parents with nutritional information
• Coordinate with the Food Service Provider to ensure all meal components are provided based on CACFP requirements

Promote Parent Involvement

• Provide for parent participation in curriculum planning and implementation of their childs goals
• Coordinate the involvement of parents in all components and ensure compliance with Performance Standards and federally mandated initiatives
• Organize parent committee meetings and facilitate at parent meetings.
• Responsible for volunteer activities and monitoring In-Kind contributions for an assigned area.
• Assist in the development and make available a resource directory of public and private service agencies for staff and parents.
• Responsible for recruitment activities in an assigned area
• Monitor daily attendance and timely follow-up for absences
• Responsible for oversight of the Family Service Assessments and Family Partnership Agreements for an assigned area.
• Responsible for transition planning, ongoing transition and service delivery and the timely transfer of records from Head Start staff to families during the program year.

Other

• Coordinate bus routes
• Responsible for the coordination of the employment and termination of assigned personnel, and for the performance evaluations of the assigned personnel.
• Participate and/or coordinate operations of the center, including rearranging schedules to ensure coverage.
• Facilitate Center maintenance as needed
• Train staff when needed and provide coaching and feedback when necessary.
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director or Fiscal/HR Administrator.

Other Information

This position is located in the Mitchell, SD center and works Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm with a starting pay of $74,635 or $76,935, depending on education. Remote work is not available.

Reports to: Executive Director

Also works with: Fiscal/HR Administrator and the Leadership Team

Qualifications and Skills

Required:

• Baccalaureate Degree in Early Childhood education or other related fields (i.e. Elementary Education/Curriculum Development, etc.)
• Must possess knowledge of early child development principles.
• Must maintain strict confidentiality of agency and program information.
• Must attend regular leadership meetings.
• Must attend evening meetings, as required, to attend Policy Council meetings, parent meetings and conferences.
• Must work with a variety of people (including parents) in a professional and courteous manner regardless of cultural differences.
• Must be knowledgeable of Microsoft Office software and will be responsible for assigned data entry.
• Must be organized, accurate and efficient.
• Must be self-motivated to work with limited direction.
• Must be able to work cooperatively with the agencys Fiscal/HR Administrator, the leadership team and staff.
• Must communicate effectively, both verbal and written.
• Must document and report suspected child abuse and neglect by following the programs reporting procedures.
• Must successfully complete all required background screenings, including State and FBI fingerprinting, sex offender registry and reports of abuse and neglect, and an employment physical.

Preferred:

• BA/BS in Early Childhood Education with a South Dakota Teaching Certificate
• Early Childhood/Education experience or a related field.
• Experience in working with young children and low-income families
• Experience with supervision and management of staff
• Experience in working with Social Services Agencies or related service delivery organizations

Core Competencies

• Adaptability and Dependability
• Communication / Interpersonal Skills
• Cultural Competency
• Innovation and Problem Solving
• Planning, Productivity and Quality
• Safety and Security
• Self-Motivated and Initiative Driven
• Teamwork and Collaboration

Comprehensive Benefits

• 230 Working Days (this is approximately an 11 month position that is paid over 12 months)
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
  • $50,000 employer paid life insurance
  • Voluntary options for spouses and children
• Retirement Benefits
  • 100% employer paid profit sharing retirement plan (with an average contribution of 15% over the past 5 years)
    • New employees become vested after 5 years
  • Employee 401(k) with both Traditional and Roth options available
  • Direct access to a financial expert for retirement investment information
• Paid Time Off
  • Paid vacation leave
  • Paid sick leave
  • 14 paid holidays
    
• Other Benefits
  • Annual Profit Sharing Retention Bonuses
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees, their spouses and dependent children
  • AFLAC
    
  • Priority enrollment for children of SCCD employees.
  • Student Loan Forgiveness: SCCD is a qualified employer under that Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. See PSLF for details.