Head Start Center Operations Specialist

Job Posting Closes at 11:59PM on:
05/10/26
Division:
Head Start Division
Management Level:
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Benefit Eligibility:
This position is eligible for Standard Benefits which includes dental, medical, and vision insurance, paid time off and holidays, retirement matching, wellness programs, and tuition reimbursement.

Description:

The Head Start Center Operations Specialist plays a key role in supporting daily operations across multiple sites, coordinating coverage, ensuring safety and inventory processes stay on track, and serving as a primary point of contact for operational corrections and secondary support for emergency readiness. This role also provides scheduled on-site leadership coverage and supervises temporary site Aides to maintain continuity of care and operations. The position directly oversees a team of four to s ix temporary staff, providing day-to-day guidance, coordination, and support.

The ideal candidate is organized, flexible, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, multi-site environment. They have experience supervising staff and providing clear direction and support. They work well with others, stay calm under pressure, and are committed to supporting smooth operations and high-quality service for children and families.

Help keep Head Start centers running smoothly, safely, and ready to serve !

SCHEDULE:

This is a full-time, standard position that operates on a five-day work week (Monday-Friday). There is the expectation to sta rt at 6AM daily on weekdays for coverage needs. Occasional after-hours may be required , no weekends.Please note that we have sites located in Arvada, Lakewood and Wheatridge, travel to these sites will be expected.

COMPENSATION:

Hiring Range: $ 30.00 - $ 36.57 USD Hourly

Compensation will be determined based on education, experience and skills.

Staff that are fluent in a language other than English may be eligible for additional compensation of $3,000 annually for use of bi-lingual skills.

BENEFITS:

Jefferson County offers a generous benefits package that supports your personal and professional life. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid time off and holidays, including a starting bank of 40 hours of PTO for new hires ; retirement matching; wellness programs; tuition reimbursement; flexible schedules; remote work options; and more. For more information, click here for our Total Rewards summary .

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Supervision & Staffing:

• Direct and support a team of temporary site aides who provide classroom coverage and support, kitchen coverage and support, and operational task support.
  
• Align site aide assignments with daily site needs and program expectations.
  
• Collaborate with other supervisors to coordinate daily coverage needs across all sites , including reviewing the attendance line and assign site aids to fill gaps caused by staff callouts, including classroom support, kitchen support, and front desk support.
  
• Assign and communicate daily operational tasks to support smooth site operations across all five Jefferson County Head Start (JCHS) centers.
  
• Provide direct supervision, coaching, and performance management to site aides, including setting expectations, monitoring performance, approving timecards, addressing concerns, and supporting staff development and accountability.
  
• Provide scheduled supervisory coverage.
  

Operations:

• Inventory : Lead inventory management across all sites, including taking inventory, purchasing supplies, receiving inventory, ensuring materials and supplies are stored, put away, and organized appropriately. Monitor supply levels to prevent shortages and ensure readiness for daily operations.
  
• Safety : Ensure routine safety checks and monitoring are completed at scheduled intervals across multiple locations. Use monitoring checklists to confirm safety and compliance documentation is completed accurately and on time.
  
• Compliance : Serve as the primary point of contact to coordinate required corrections identified through health inspections and childcare licensing inspections. Track follow-up actions and support completion of corrective items in a timely manner . Maintain compliance with childcare licensing.
  
• Emergency Management : Plan, schedule, and conduct emergency drills across all locations in coordination with the Operations Manager . Ensure required documentation and drill materials are completed according to program expectations.
  

Leadership :

• Address and resolve conflicts ; implement corrective action when appropriate to maintain a positive and respectful experience for all.
  
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  

QUALIFICATIONS:

Research shows that women and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups tend to apply only when they check every box in the posting. If you are reading this and hesitating to click “apply” for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! A true passion and excitement for making an impact is just as important as work experience.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: High School Diploma, GED or equivalent certificate
  

• Experience: Two years of work-related experience.
  

• Note: An equivalent combination of education and experience is acceptable.
  

Preferred knowledge, skills and abilities :

• Preferred supervisory experience managing employees, including supervision and managemen t of work performance, expectations, timecards, assigned duties, and employee goal development
  
• Colorado Shines PDIS Early Childhood Professional Credential (ECPC) 3.0 Level 3 or higher highly preferred, with the ability to meet CDEC qualifications for a Large Center Director
  
• Bachelor’s degree preferred in Public Administration, Human Services, Early Childhood Education, Business Management, or a related field
  
• Knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards and federal program requirements
  
• Understanding of early childhood education programs and family support services
  
• Familiarity with compliance, monitoring, and audit processes
  
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills
  
• Experience with data management and analysis, with strong attention to accuracy and detail
  
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
  
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment
  
• Problem-solving and process improvement skills
  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and related systems (e.g., Excel, Word, data systems)
  
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and operational needs
  
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practices
  
• Experience supervising or leading teams, including coaching, feedback, and performance management
  

Additional Job Information:

• Offer of employment contingent on review of child abuse neglect database, fingerprint results, criminal background, sex offender registry, motor vehicle record check, and education verification.
  
• Must have a valid driver's license, if you are from out of state, you must obtain a valid Colorado driver's license within 30 days of hire date and you must not have any major violations, nor more than oneDUI, DWI, DWAI conviction in the past three years.
  
• Willingnessto occasionally travel to assigned Head Start Sites (Arvada,Wheat Ridge and Lakewood).
  

Perjury Statement : Any applicant who knowingly or willfully makes a false statement of any material fact or thing in the application is guilty of perjury in the second degree as defined in Section 18-8-503, C.R.S., and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished accordingly.

Accommodations Statement : We encourage people with disabilities to apply and are committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout our hiring process. For assistance with applications, interviews, or other hiring-related accommodations, contact careertalent@jeffco.us . This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot provide application status updates.

APPLICATION:

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

All applicants must submit an online employment application by 11:59PM on the posted cut-off date. Follow this link to apply now: Jefferson County Colorado Career Opportunities

• A resume and cover letter submitted with your application is encouraged but will not substitute for the information requested on the application.
  
• Current Jefferson County employees must apply through their employee profile in Workday.
  
• In any materials you submit , you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
  

Applications are reviewed for minimum qualifications listed in the qualifications section of the job bulletin, and applicants are contacted directly by the hiring team if selected. To view the status of your application, please log into your candidate portal .



For more details on the recruitment process, please visit: https://www.jeffco.us/1860/FAQs

Questions? Contact the Jefferson County Recruitment Team at 303-271-8420 or CareerTalent@Jeffco.us

Education:
GED, High School Diploma
Experience:
Work Experience: Minimum two years

Certifications:

Languages:

Category:
Administrative, Business Programs and Services

• 

• Jefferson County Government

• 303-271-8400

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