Para Los Ninos Position

Job Title:                                         Program Director

Department/Location:      Best Start LA Pilot Community Partnership, Family Services

Status:                                Exempt

Supervision:                           Vice President/COO

Revision Date:                  March 1, 2009

Definition:

The goal of the Best Start LA Pilot Community Partnership is to increase the number of children ages prenatal through 3 years who achieve appropriate social, emotional, cognitive, language, physical and motor developmental milestones to the best of their potential.

The Best Start LA program director reports to Para Los Niños’ Vice President/COO and is responsible for working with Best Start and First 5 LA staff, including the data collection and evaluation team; coordinating partnership initiatives; and acting as a liaison for Best Start LA Partnership members, task forces, and other stakeholders in the Best Start LA process.  The program director will assist in facilitating the processes and activities of the Partnership in order to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of Best Start LA outcomes, including the creation of an organized network of baby- and toddler-friendly spaces in Los Angeles and the engagement of a wide variety of community stakeholders in the Best Start process.

Job duties:

• Facilitate all aspects of staff orientation and professional development.
• Conduct performance reviews of all supervisees and recommends annual merit increases.
• Interview, select, assign, orient, discipline and recommend termination of program staff.
• Conduct staff supervisory meetings in a regular basis.

·        Coordinate and convene the Best Start LA Partnership, including a diverse array of stakeholders, representative of a wide variety of constituencies within the Magnolia Place Service Area.

·        Collaborate with organizations, individuals and work groups involved in the Best Start process, including but not limited to Para Los Niños and First 5 staff, consultants, contractors, task forces, and Partnership member agencies and individuals.

·        Attend and participate in regular meetings with Best Start and First 5 LA staff, including the data collection and evaluation team; Best Start LA contractors, such as the Welcome, Baby! lead agency; Best Start Partnership and Task Forces; and individual Partnership members and agencies, as needed.

·        Monitor and direct day-to-day operations of Best Start LA to ensure that policies and procedures established by First 5 and the governing body are being followed, that progress is being made toward achieving goals and objectives, and that projects and deliverables are being accomplished efficiently and effectively

·        Oversee the program’s budget; ensure the financial health of the program by analyzing cost effectiveness and exercising cost controls, as needed.

·        Work with Data Collection Coordinator to develop systems and maintain records to ensure proper documentation and data collection with regard to all Partnership activities.

·        Prepare a variety of written correspondence, reports, procedures, directives and other materials.

·        Support efforts that continually enhance high-quality and culturally appropriate activities that promote the full engagement and participation of a wide variety of community stakeholders –– particularly families of children ages prenatal through 3 years –– in the Best Start process.

·        Provide guidance, direction and assistance to program staff in accomplishing their assigned duties.

·        Work with Training and Technical Assistance Task Force and consultants as necessary to identify appropriate professional development opportunities for Best Start Partnership agencies and individuals. 

·        Responsible for program and budget planning of BSLA.

Other duties:

• Carry out mission, vision, and values established by Para Los Niños’ president/CEO and board of directors, as well as those established by First 5 LA with regard to the Best Start LA Partnership.
• Participate in the overall agency accreditation/continuous quality improvement processes.
• Assist Supervisor and the Development Department in the agency’s public relations and fund raising activities.
• Responsible for the promotion and representation of the PLN BSLA program in the civic and professional community.
• Ensure program staff is in compliance with all administrative, financial and human resource responsibilities in accordance, with agency, COA and contractual requirements.
• Other duties as requested by the Supervisor.

Education/Experience:

Master’s degree in nonprofit leadership, urban planning, social work or related field, with a minimum of three years’ supervision or coordinating experience in children or family services. 

Special Skills/Abilities:

·        Strong leadership skills desired with a solid foundation in human development and family dynamics.

·        Experience cultivating relationships with and convening community partnerships.

·        Experience with developing and implementing/coordinating children and family programs for children ages prenatal through 5 years. 

·        Extensive experience with community-driven, grassroots initiatives requiring intensive collaboration and partnership.

·        Experience in creating culturally competent, supportive and respectful environments in which to engage children and their families.

·        Background and experience in facilitating and planning, training and technical assistance, capacity building, team-building principles and leadership-development practices. 

·        Strong organizational agility with proven track record of successful project oversight on long-range planning process implemented in a complex, diverse, community and an ever-changing environment.

·        Demonstrated experience using strategic thinking and analytical skills to translate concepts and ideas into innovative, tangible and actionable strategies and actions.

·        Excellent written and oral communication skills, in positions requiring communication and negotiation with a broad and diverse audience.

Special Requirements:

·        Must have reliable automobile for use on the job (mileage to be reimbursed).  Valid Class C driver’s license, transportation and state-required automobile insurance coverage.

·        TB clearance, to be renewed every two years. 

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to carry out all essential functions satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Approximately 50 percent of time is spent sitting.  However, will frequently be required to walk, stand and bend.  Must be able to talk and hear well.  Good vision is imperative.  Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.  Required to lift and/or move unassisted up to 25 pounds.  Required to drive own car occasionally for business purposes.

For application process and other job postings, go to: http://www.paralosninos.org/pp/com.php/articles/o/jobs.