at Midcoast Maine Community Action in Bath, Maine, United States
Job Description
Key responsibilities include developing and implementing an integrated staff approach to delivery of health and nutrition services to children; promoting parent involvement in the program; identifying and utilizing state and local resources; serving as a liaison to the health community; budget preparation and monitoring; and maintaining up-to-date child health records. This person will also oversee formulation and implementation of strategies, policies and procedures designed to ensure that all necessary health and nutrition services for children and families are administered across MMCA Head Start centers with consistency, fidelity, and the highest level of quality, and that delivery and documentation of services comply with Head Start Program Performance Standards, USDA requirements, and other state and federal regulations. Other job duties include:
- Establish and maintain a Health Services Advisory Committee in collaboration with a range of health care providers and community specialists (i.e., medical, dental, speech, nutrition, mental health) to assist in providing health services to children and support their healthy development. Utilize HSAC in planning and evaluation of the health component.
- Secure contracts and interagency agreements with community service providers to enhance local delivery of comprehensive services to children and families; make referrals to and advocate for children within the health system.
- Oversee tracking and documentation of all related health and nutrition screenings and assessments; participate in evaluation activities, such as monitoring children care sites, to ensure that all enrolled children maintain current physicals, up-to-date immunizations, vision and hearing screenings, and dental exams.
- Develop and conduct ongoing training and health education programs for all Head Start staff, parents, and volunteers; this involves visiting each site and classroom regularly to observe and monitor health and nutrition service delivery, and providing training, technical assistance, coaching, and other quality improvement measures.
- . In collaboration with other managers, staff and parents, coordinate and contribute to program improvement through review, self-assessment, evaluation, and other development efforts; and prepares recommendations on environmental health, nutrition and safety programs and practices.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in health or nutrition-related field (e.g., nutrition, public health, nursing, health education,) required; advanced degree a plus. Registered Dietitian or nurse (LPN, RN) strongly preferred.
- Minimum of three years of relevant work experience in a position directly related to provision and management of health and nutrition services for young children and families; 5 years preferred. Prior supervisory experience required.
- Experience or sincere interest in working with culturally diverse and economically disadvantaged children and families; demonstrated ability to develop consistent, stable and supportive relationships with families.
- Experience in health education, planning, and administration desired; experience working with grants preferred.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with budget preparation and monitoring, purchasing, inventory, and systems management.
- Knowledge of health and nutrition guidelines for infant, toddler and preschool programs and of family health including preventative, early intervention and health maintenance practices; understanding of growth and development of preschool children.
- Proficiency with MS Office suite, SharePoint, Outlook, and related software; ability to work effectively with word processing, data management, spreadsheet, and database applications.
- Effective oral and written communication skills; demonstrated ability to successfully communicate effectively with clients, customers, and various professional and community groups; strong presentation and public relations skills preferred.
- Ability to perform work of medium to heavy physical exertion, including lifting up to 40 pounds; ability to stoop, kneel, walk, bend, crouch, reach, stand, push, pull and grasp; some duties require repetitive motion, keyboarding and computer use.
Other Requirements:
- Prior to starting employment, candidates offered employment must be able to pass fingerprinted criminal background, child protective services, sex offender registry, and motor vehicle record checks, as required by state and federal childcare licensing regulations, that indicate no previous record of involvement with child abuse or exploitation and no disqualifying criminal or motor vehicle record that would preclude working with children.
- Must pass state and local health requirements; persons offered employment must also provide a physician’s health statement, immunization records, and TB screening.
- Proof of full vaccination against COVID is required as a condition of employment for all positions unless exemption for medical or religious reasons is requested and approved in accordance with law.
- Travel is required and position will require operation of a motor vehicle to fulfill certain essential functions of the job. Must possess and be able to maintain a valid driver’s license, adequate insurance per state standards, and access to reliable transportation; compliance with MMCA policies pertaining to safe vehicle operation required.
