JOB DESCRIPTION PROGRAM: Early Care & Education Administration JOB TITLE: STARS Manager CLASSIFICATION: Program Specialist IV PAY GRADE: 11 JOB SUMMARY Implements and integrates a system providing information, individualized support, resources, professional development services, and financial grants and awards to eligible early learning and school-age facilities that are working toward achieving quality programming as part of the Keystone STARS Program. Interprets the Keystone STARS standards, guides programs through the standards, and thoroughly understands the programs in their caseload in order to enable them to recommend STARS, grant awards and professional development projections. Works to assure that early learning and school-age practitioners and communities are accessing all available resources, supports and funding without duplication. Works in collaboration with LEARN Teams to promote early learning, school-age education and STARS growth. Works in collaboration with appropriate Regional Key staff to assure programs are receiving all supports and services available. Provides support relative to outcomes for Continuous Quality Improvement in moving programs to a higher STAR level or maintaining a STAR level. Responsible for promoting and furthering the values and mission of STEP, Inc. SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIPS REPORTS TO: Program Director SUPERVISES: None MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS  Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood or elementary education, child development, social services or a related field;  Minimum of three years of experience in teaching or administering an early childhood education program or providing professional development or technical assistance to early childhood programs;  Minimum of two years of training and/or experience in project/program management;  Computer training and/or documented proficiency with word processing, spreadsheet and database software; experience with and/or training in Microsoft Office products including Word, Outlook, Access and Excel is preferred; and,  Minimum of two years of training and/or experience in general fiscal reporting and budget management. SPECIAL JOB REQUIREMENT  Within three months of employment, must attain certification in the Pennsylvania Quality Assurance System (PQAS). GENERAL REQUIREMENTS  Forty hours per week; additional work hours per week, as required;  Out-of-town travel, as required;  Flexibility to work altered and non-traditional work schedules, as assigned;

February 27, 2012 Page 1 JOB DESCRIPTION STARS Manager  Participation in job-related training, as assigned;  Valid driver’s license, and reliable and adequately insured transportation available on a daily basis; and,  Physical ability to perform essential job functions without any health restrictions including the ability to sit, stand, carry twenty pounds unassisted, have unrestricted use of the upper body, corrected or uncorrected hearing and vision within normal ranges, and a clear speaking voice. DUTIES  STARS Management  Develop and maintain a working relationship with early learning and school-age practitioners;  Implement the STARS Program within the large geographic Central Regional Key through Modified Case Management, an individualized program support process whose goal is movement and maintenance through the Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) system;  Perform within and manage all levels of STARS program processes within the Central Regional Key as related to individual caseload, from application through designation processes;  Manage a caseload of 75-90 facilities;  Inform providers of available resources such as training, additional grants and consultants;  Review applications for STARS’ eligibility and designation levels;  Maintain frequent regular communication with Certification, Environmental Rating Scale Project, STARS Technical Assistance, and other partners working in the program regarding process and the needs of providers in the position’s caseload;  Pre-designate and designate programs at appropriate STAR levels based upon criteria and provider information;  Coordinate with assigned STARS Designator to schedule STARS designation visits;  Verify STARS designation by assuring compliance with the STARS level performance standards including required Environmental Rating Scores;  Follow all established department and agency procedures, as well as securing and maintaining all necessary documentation relative to the STARS program;  Communicate and collaborate with appropriate Early Care & Education Administration staff;  Accurately prepare and transmit all required or assigned reports in a timely manner to appropriate Early Care & Education Administration staff;  Maintain detailed records of all public contacts, grant proceedings and meetings;  Make recommendations and participate in program development, including attending staff meetings and trainings;  Systematically maintain awareness of changing early education and school age needs on local, regional, state and national level;  Maintain and update familiarity with all pertinent regulations and policies; and,  Answers telephone inquiries and initial screenings, as needed.  Professional Development/Technical Assistance  Develop and deliver Pennsylvania Quality Assurance System (PQAS) professional development sessions;

February 27, 2012 Page 2 JOB DESCRIPTION STARS Manager  Develop, oversee, and provide education materials for Keystone STARS providers;  Provide entry level technical assistance to programs;  Refer programs to and coordinate support with STARS Technical Assistance, Early Childhood Mental Health and Professional Development when technical assistance is in- depth and related to a specific standard; and,  Implement and monitor process by providing assistance and support to selected participants in coordination with Professional Development and Consultation Supervisor in the following areas: early childhood consultant grants, training grants, physical site grants, program plans to achieve levels and referral to other available grants and resources.  GRANTS  Review appropriate sections of grant applications to ensure they meet program requirements;  Verify appropriateness of grant expenditures, up to and including performance of site visits; all verifications will be performed in accordance to federal, state and agency guidelines;  As supervised by the Program Director, design, develop, deploy and assist in reconciling numerous unique grant delivery processes, including taking part in the grant approval process;  Complete reports regarding estimated grant amounts for facilities; and,  Meet all grant requirements, including maintenance of accurate records and timely completion of assigned reports.  OUTREACH AND PROMOTION  Recruit early care and education programs for participation in program;  Work directly with all early care and education providers and partners to promote participation in and support advancements through the Keystone Stars tiered quality program;  Plan and implement learning communities in order to facilitate a cohort-based, interdisciplinary approach to higher education;  Design, develop and distribute a variety of media presentation and promotional strategies deemed necessary for public presentation of current and future initiatives;  Work in collaboration with LEARN Teams to promote early learning and school-age education with STARS growth;  Collaborate with other agencies regarding fulfillment of the STARS process;  Assist Professional Development and Consultation Supervisor in coordinating training requirements and program improvements by assisting early care and education providers and staff in the development of an implementation plan addressing their needs as related to the STARS process;  Collaborates with local businesses and communities as they coordinate and facilitate business/early care and education meetings, partnerships and events; and,  Represents agency at Office of Child Development & Early Learning (OCDEL), Association for the Education of Young Children (AEYC), Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA), Professional Development events, and other provider organizations/groups; attend seminars, trainings, and conferences as assigned; network with other agencies when possible.  ASSESSMENT  Visit, observe, and assess early care and education facilities to determine level of support; February 27, 2012 Page 3 JOB DESCRIPTION STARS Manager  Visit, observe and assist early care and education facilities using the various levels of the Environment Rating Scale;  Complete an annual planning and projection process with assigned programs;  Refer programs to and coordinate support with STARS Technical Assistance when technical assistance is in-depth and related to a specific standard;  In collaboration with the decision making body, select participants to receive additional Keystone Stars support; and,  All other duties as assigned. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES  Comprehensive knowledge of theories, practices and principles of early childhood development, including current and emerging research and it’s translation into practice in quality early care and education settings;  Comprehensive knowledge of National Afterschool Association(NAA), National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) standards;  Comprehensive knowledge of the Learning Standards and Academic Standards for Pennsylvania;  Comprehensive knowledge of the PELICAN data system;  Proficient knowledge of the Early Learning Network (ELN);  Proficient knowledge of program planning for early care and education facilities including professional development, staff development, education, training and quality programming;  Proficient knowledge of early childhood and school-age issues as they relate to children, parents, early care and education professionals and communities along with a capacity to effectively present and promote these issues to the public at large;  Proficient knowledge of early care and education programs, facilities and related developmentally appropriate equipment as they might apply to quality initiatives, resource development as well as grant delivery and verification process;  Comprehensive knowledge of the early care and education delivery system in the Central Regional Key, including knowledge of the state-wide Early Care & Education system including regulations, policies, quality issues and current trends;  Working knowledge of basic office practices and procedures;  Working knowledge the Microsoft Office Suite, including but not limited to Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, PowerPoint, and web-based software;  Working knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and fiscal integrity procedures;  Skill in developing coherent public presentations;  Skill in the use of tracking and reporting systems, including automated management information systems;  Skills in writing, editing and communicating, including knowledge of English grammar, spelling and punctuation as they would relate to the production of reports, work plans, and other operational documents, as well as their use in communicating with a variety of individuals and groups;  Command of multiple oral communication skills, such as speaking, listening and interviewing;  Skills relative to review, access and validate varied grant award requirements within the Early Care and Education program initiative;  Skills relative to the reconciliation of individual client budget application; February 27, 2012 Page 4 JOB DESCRIPTION STARS Manager  Ability to assist early care and education programs and staff in progressing through the STARS tiered quality program;  Ability to soundly interpret and apply regulations and procedures;  Ability to communicate effectively in speaking with individuals and groups and skill in group facilitation;  Ability to interpret written and oral information;  Ability to prepare and maintain written records and reports;  Ability to take a leadership role in the establishment and maintenance of effective collaborative partnerships with certification, technical assistance, Environmental Rating Scale, early care and education professionals, agencies, community individuals and groups;  Ability to work in collaboration with OCDEL, other regional keys, the PA KEY, and other agencies and individuals to establish and maintain the STARS Program;  Ability to obtain PQAS certification and instruct Professional Development;  Ability to design, develop and deploy a wide variety of training sessions as they might apply to any day care related entities;  Ability to work with early care and education professionals and Professional Development Specialist as part of the comprehensive prescribed system;  Ability to observe early care and education classrooms, interpret and analyze results and provide feedback regarding the Environment Rating Scales;  Ability to evaluate, implement, and design a program-specific Quality Improvement Plan in collaboration with authorized signatory of State Licensed Early Care and Education Facility;  Ability to monitor, track, maintain, and report on the assigned providers under this initiative;  Ability to collect, organize, analyze and process information quickly and effectively;  Ability to organize and interpret data as collected;  Ability to perform detailed work with written or numerical data;  Ability to make mathematical calculations with accuracy;  Ability to prepare and reconcile administrative cost reports, grant budgets and program reports at grantee level;  Ability to analyze and interpret accounting records as they relate to resource delivery at a grantee level;  Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times;  Ability to demonstrate respect for individuals and groups with varied cultural, racial, ethnic, religious and linguistic identities or backgrounds;  Ability to establish effective, collaborative partnerships with people from varied social, economic and educational backgrounds;  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, administrators, partnering agencies, elected officials, government agencies, businesses, customers and the general public;  Ability to organize, prioritize and establish schedules to accomplish program goals and evaluate the delivery of service and program objectives; and,  Ability to identify and meet goals, objectives, outcomes and timelines within broad parameters and to work independently of direct supervision.

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