Assistant Commissioner - Office of Childhood

Job Location: This position will be located at 205 Jefferson St., Jefferson City, MO 65101.

Why you’ll love this position:

The Office of Childhood provides a comprehensive approach to childhood care and education in Missouri. It includes programs related to child care, home visiting, early learning, and early intervention for children birth to age five, as well as afterschool programs for school-age children. The Office of Childhood is responsible for overseeing DESE’s efforts to expand and improve high-quality early learning opportunities.

• Provides leadership in the development, coordination, and implementation of an early childhood system in the State of Missouri.
• Leads the implementation of the Department’s strategic priorities and goals related to early childhood and afterschool programs.
• Coordinates the management of key projects and other initiatives in the office.
• Works to ensure collaboration across all levels of the office.
• Oversees the development and implementation of federal and state regulations, including state budgets and annual performance reports, guidance/policies and program evaluation related to early childhood and afterschool programs.
• Promotes access to high-quality early care and education opportunities.
• Promotes the use of practices and settings for the safety, health and education of young children.
• Oversees the coordination of programs designed to promote school readiness for pre-kindergarten aged children (First Steps, Home Visiting, Parents as Teachers, Preschool).
• Oversees the development of blended funding sources for early childhood programs (Child Care, Title I, MPP, ECSE, Preschool, etc.) and voluntary, universal pre-kindergarten programs as part of a birth through 2nd grade education.
• Coordinates with other office leaders to align early childhood policies and standards to K-12 education.
• Coordinates with other administrators to contribute to Department policy development and the strategic planning process.
• Provides information on early childhood issues to the Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner, and the State Board of Education.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Commissioner or the Deputy Commissioner.
• Demonstrate regular, reliable, and engaged attendance.
• Full job description available upon request.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in an education or social/human services related field with 4 years of progressive leadership and supervisory experience in state government or public schools setting to include three years of early childhood or related experience.

OR

• 8- years of progressive leadership and supervisory experience in state government or public schools setting to include three years of early childhood or related experience.

Lack of post-secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant.

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here .

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• State of Missouri

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