Education and Behavior Manager

Education and Behavior Manager 

Where strategic leadership meets purpose, vision, and impact. This leadership role advances the mission of UETHDA Head Start by overseeing education, behavioral health, disabilities services, and classroom operations to ensure high-quality, effective programming for children and families. The position provides leadership and mentorship to program coordinators; ensures compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and state and federal requirements; guides curriculum implementation, classroom monitoring, and staff development; and builds long-term program strength through thoughtful planning, sound decision-making, and effective use of technology and data. Serving as an advocate for UETHDA and Head Start, this role also represents the program before leadership, governing bodies, and community partners while fostering a culture of accountability, professional growth, and continuous improvement. 

Essential Functions 

• Promote child safety and active supervision by collaborating with managers, coordinators, and staff throughout all classroom routines.  
• Coordinate facility construction, renovations, and playground development.  
• Maintain professional relationships with vendors, funders, donors, tenants, and community partners.  
• Develop, manage, and monitor budgets related to education, curriculum, and assigned program areas.  
• Provide leadership and expertise in addressing children’s behavioral health, mental health, and disabilities needs. 
• Connect staff and families with appropriate community resources through information, referrals, and coordination. 
• Develop and maintain policies and procedures for mental health and disabilities services in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and applicable state and federal regulations.  
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Benefits

• 14 paid holidays 
• 1 day of vacation accrued per month worked 
• 1 day of healthcare/personal  accrued per month (12 days per year) 
• Healthcare coverage is provided through the State of Tennessee, with UETHDA covering 100% of the monthly premium for employee-only plans (valued at approximately $600 per month or $7,200 annually). Additional coverage options are available, with any cost difference paid by the employee. 
• Retirement Plan: Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS). Eligible employees contribute 5% of annual wages on a pre-tax basis to the defined TCRS plan. UETHDA contributes an amortized amount as determined by TCRS. Employees become fully vested after five years of eligible service. 
• Group Term Life Insurance (coverage equal to 1.5 times annual wages) and Voluntary Life Insurance are offered, with Group Term Life fully paid by UETHDA. 
• Dental, Vision, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability options are available at 100% cost to the employee. 
• Additional 401(K) and 457 Savings Plan also available without employer match 

Qualifications

Work Environment/Physical Demands 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, stoop, and kneel. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception. 
 

Minimum Requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.  
• Three years of related professional management experience, including supervision of staff and budgets.  
• Three years of supervisory classroom experience with preschool children and/or infants and toddlers.  
• Experience recruiting, selecting, training, and mentoring staff, with knowledge of business and human resource practices.  
• Advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office and database systems.  
• Experience working with culturally diverse clients.  
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presenting data to management, advisory boards, and outside groups.  
• Experience with ChildPlus and knowledge of the CLASS tool preferred; training provided. 

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work 

This is a full-time exempt position. UETHDA strives for our staff to be able to maintain a work - life balance. Typically, this position will be 37.5 hours per week working Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Occasional evenings/weekends and local travel; some overnight travel required. 

EOE Statement 

UETHDA is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to hiring passionate, diverse professionals who want to make a difference. 

Salary Based 100% on Education/Degree 

Bachelor’s: $2,440.42 semi-monthly 
Degree should be a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education or Bachelors in Child Development. 

Master’s: $2,558.75 semi-monthly 
Degree should be a Masters in Early Childhood Education or Masters in Child Development.