Head Start Planning Specialist

Oneonta, New York

About Us:

Opportunities for Otsego is one of 1,000+ Community Action Agencies across the nation that are actively fighting the "War on Poverty" based on President Lyndon B Johnson's ideal. Since 1966, Opportunities for Otsego has focused its attention on specific problems affecting the greater Otsego County community, mobilized resources, and developed solutions to unlock opportunities for low-income individuals and disenfranchised families.

Head Start programs promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of three and four year old children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families. Early Head Start programs promote healthy pregnancy, enhance the development of very young children, assist with coordinating children's medical and dental visits, and guide parents through the choices that lead to a healthy family.

OFO’s Head Start program is seeking a detail-oriented, highly organized professional who can manage complex projects, write effectively, analyze data, and ensure compliance—all while staying committed to supporting children and families.

This position has a PENDING HIRE.

Salary Range: $68,000 - $75,000 annually

Pay Range Guide:

• Standard Start Rate - education and experience meet job requirements
• Advanced Start Rate - education and experience exceed job requirements (subject to approval)

Benefits available to our Head Start Planning Specialist:

• Health, dental, vision, and other optional benefits
• Generous holiday schedule
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Employer Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions on eligible plans
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Local, state, and national training and certification opportunities
• Eligibility for our Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program (more information available via our website)

No Relocation Assistance Available

Most Important Responsibilities of our Head Start Planning Specialist:

• Lead projects to develop grant proposals, policies, and reports
• Write grant proposals, policies, and reports, meeting deadlines and standards for submission
• Lead the Head Start Self-Assessment
• Coordinate plans, tracking systems, and reporting for 5-year goals
• Coordinate completion and submission of annual Refunding Application
• Conduct an annual Community Needs Assessment
• Update the Head Start Policies annually
• Develop and maintain tracking system for Head Start/Early Head Start staff qualifications

Requirements of our Head Start Planning Specialist:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant area;
• Two years’ experience in administration or management;
• Demonstrated proficiency organizing, coordinating, and writing grant proposals and complex reports;
• Proficiency with computer software;
• Valid, unrestricted New York State driver’s license