Early Childhood and Multicultural Education Program Director

JOB PURPOSE:

The Early Childhood and Multicultural Education (ECME) Program Director is responsible for the planning, implementation, management, assessment, reporting, and ongoing improvement of Navajo Technical University's Early Childhood and Multicultural Education (ECME) Program across all NTU instructional sites. This position also manages the NTU'S ECME program grants, ensuring that all grant initiatives are being fulfilled throughout the year. A successful applicant will have extensive expertise in Early Childhood Education, academic program coordination, and grant management; familiarity with Head Start programming and teacher certification processes; demonstrated skills in oral and written communication, developing community partnerships, and leading diverse individuals and teams to shared visions, and building and maintaining collaborative partnerships with early childhood programs across the Navajo Nation and Zuni-Pueblo.

This position description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, and abilities. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required or assigned to this position.

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Facilitate on-going data collection and assessment to ensure the ECME program is making data driven decisions to meet the needs of students.
• Facilitate strategic planning meetings based on the data collected and delegate roles for program improvement.
• Coordinate ECME planning, implementation, management, assessment, reporting, and ongoing improvement.
• Coordinate grant management, delegate grant initiatives, grant reporting based on grant requirements for all established ECME program grants and seek on-going funding for the ECME program.
• Coordinate departmental budgets, fiscal management, and purchases.
• Coordinate hiring, supervision, training, and evaluation of all adjunct faculty across all NTU sites.
• Coordinate and establish MOUs with LEAs and early childhood programs for practicums and student teaching.
• Supervises ECME academic staff and faculty in course planning, delivery, scheduling and student services.
• Ensure ECME faculty and academic staff are properly preparing and supporting teacher candidates for state licensure.
• Coordinate ECME program retention and
• Coordinate and schedule monthly ECME departmental meetings throughout the academic year.
• Represent the ECME program with internal and external stakeholders.
• Assume additional duties as assigned by the supervising Department Chairperson.
• Appoint a board to resolve all ECME student concerns to create a resolution.

SUPERVISION RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervise full-time and adjunct ECME faculty.
• Supervise all ECME academic staff funded by ECME grants.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

• Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of successful experience in Early Childhood program design and implementation.
• Successful experience developing and managing grants and program budgets.
• Successful experience working with a variety of public, private, non-profit, grassroots organizations, and tribal entities.
• Must have a valid driver's license.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

• Doctorate in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
• Oral and written skills in Navajo and/or A:shiwi.
• Cultural competence in Navajo, A:shiwi, and/or another indigenous tribe or community.
• Experience working or living in an indigenous community.

The Navajo Nation Preference in Employment Act applies to all hiring, promotions or transfers of individuals into this position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrate the ability to build team morale to ensure effective communication and consistency in in-person and virtual meetings.
• Ability to coordinate and facilitate meetings in person and virtually.
• Demonstrate the ability to work with diverse personalities in a wide variety of cultural and professional backgrounds and experiences.
• Ability to communicate persuasively, both orally and in writing, in varied settings and with different
• Effective project management skills including ability to manage several projects simultaneously while upholding quality standards.
• Critical and analytical thinker who can approach problem solving creatively and manage complex issues, while considering the needs of varied stakeholders.
• Strong organization and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize work, communicate with supervisor about work challenges, meet critical deadlines, and have great attention to detail with excellent follow through.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access).
• Proficiency using databases.
• Cultural competency.
• Advocate for academic priorities;
• Be an effective communicator with excellent interpersonal and written/oral communication skills, and
• Demonstrate management and organizational skills, including a willingness to explore new paradigms to improve the quality of teaching and efficiency;
• Knowledge of higher education accreditation processes and issues;
• Network with other administrators and programs internally and externally in the early childhood field.
• Understanding of and commitment to the philosophy of tribal colleges and u
• Have knowledge of how tribal, state and federal policies interact.
• Ability to aggregate and analyze data to make informed decisions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to sit for prolonged periods, walk and stand.
• Ability to drive for 4-5 hours as needed to instructional sites.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is generally performed in an office
• Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common.
• Evening and/or weekend work may be required. Extended hours and irregular shifts may be required.