Posting Date
01/23/26
Application Deadline
01/26/26
Pay Range
Anticipated Hiring Range: $102,500 - $128,500 annually
Full Pay Range: $102,500 - $154,500 annually
Salary offers are based on the candidate's equivalent experience and internal equity with other employees within the same job classification. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Job Type
Unclassified
Department
Human Services
About the Position
The Assistant Director provides leadership and manages the operations of the Early Education Division in administering federal, State, and non-profit programs and grants, including Early Head Start, Head Start, Child Care Partnerships, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
The Early Education Division is federally funded to administer center-based Head Start and Early Head Start early care and education, along with community resources and referrals to support children living in low-income households to be ready for school and families to achieve self-sufficiency. Currently, classrooms are operated through a mixed service delivery model of full-year, part-year, community, and school-based sites operated directly by Maricopa County and through contracted childcare partners.
About Us
The Maricopa County Human Services Department (HSD) builds resiliency in the community and promotes the well-being of County residents experiencing adversity through a variety of programs and services to help people and families thrive. These opportunities include early childhood education, housing, homeownership, independent living services for seniors and adults with disabilities, career development for job seekers with barriers to employment, crisis rental and utility assistance, and support for people experiencing homelessness. HSD is committed to delivering innovative and comprehensive services in a collaborative approach that preserves dignity, promotes respect, and facilitates social and economic mobility.
In 2025, the Human Services Department was the proud recipient of 23 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo), highlighting the Department's commitment to providing support for low-income and at-risk communities. Maricopa County Human Services was honored for a wide variety of programs showcasing their valuable work including Regional Solutions to Homelessness in Rural and Underserved Communities, Pathway to Rapid Reemployment, Tonopah Fire Station Improvements, Refugee Relocation Assistance Program, Early Education Division's EVIT Expanded Partnership, and several other initiatives.
Join our team and unlock your potential
Proud To Offer
* Work with a greater purpose
* Tuition reimbursement
* Exceptional work-life balance, with hybrid and alternative work schedule options
* Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County
* Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents
* Child care benefits, including access to our on-site center, Maricopa County Kids Club, dedicated to serving Maricopa County families
* Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
* Extensive wellness program, including an incentive
* Enrollment in the Arizona State Retirement System, a defined retirement benefit requiring a 12% monthly contribution rate that includes a 100% employer match on Day 1
* Want to learn more about the County's Qualifying and Compensation Philosophy? Follow this link to learn more Work With Us | Maricopa County, AZ
We Require
* Six years of professional program administration and/or implementation experience, which included fiscal and grant management
* Three years of administration of a large human service program, including supervision and managerial administration
* 45 CFR § b) An Early Head Start or Head Start director must, at a minimum, have a baccalaureate degree and experience in supervision of staff, fiscal management, and administration
Other Requirements
* Must possess or have the ability to obtain a valid Arizona driver's license by the time of hire.
* Must possess or have the ability to obtain and maintain an Arizona Department of Public Safety Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card
* Must complete a medical exam that includes screening for tuberculosis (TB)
We Also Value
* Experience in Early Head Start, Head Start, or a closely related program management experience, which includes supervisory duties
* Extensive executive experience managing large government human service programs, including supervisory duties and managing complex budgets
* Extensive experience managing large government human service programs, including staff supervision.
* Experience with federal, state, or local early childhood care and education program administration.
* Experience with extensive and complex federal regulations, monitoring, and compliance, and policy implementation
* Experience with complex problem-solving, systemic solutions, and assessing community needs that lead to measurable ongoing improvements.
* Master's degree in Public Administration, Early Childhood Education/Development, Education, or another related field
Job Contributions
* Provides overall administrative and program direction for the Early Education Division (EED), including planning, implementation, grant application submission and reporting, staff supervision, budget, and financial management of all EED grant programs in full compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and Arizona childcare licensing requirements.
* Implements and manages a coordinated system of early childhood education, child wellness, and family support strategies to meet the local needs of children and families in the service area, consistent with Head Start regulations, child care licensing requirements, Maricopa County Head Start Policy Council direction, and local, state, and federal policy and guidance.
* Develops and implements the department's and division's strategic goals and operational/budget objectives, as well as implements programmatic and operational best practices to deliver effective and efficient service by creating divisional policies and procedures.
* Oversees and monitors change management and project management and ensures policies, organizational structure, business processes, and management practices align with and support an innovative, integrated, client-centered, outcome-focused culture.
* Performs a full range of supervisory responsibilities over assigned staff, including but not limited to establishing workload standards, determining work priorities, developing performance plans, monitoring and evaluating performance, coaching staff, and hiring new staff.
* Ensures effective management of all division staff, including adherence to department and county policies and procedures, and works cross-divisionally to ensure comprehensive service delivery for communities and clients.
* Actively participates as a member of the Department's Executive Team, including the additional activities assigned to this team.
* Builds, develops, and oversees community partnerships, contracts, and agreements with various entities, including governmental organizations, public schools, and health, mental health, and nutrition service providers, in addition to interfacing, developing, and maintaining effective relationships with elected and appointed officials of local, state, and federal governmental jurisdictions, including but not limited to the US Department of Health and Human Services Region 9 Office of Head Start, Arizona Departments of Education and Economic Security, as well as non-profit and private sector service providers to identify goals and objectives.
* Works effectively with the Policy Council and committees to ensure active participation in service planning and mobilizing community resources.
* Provides local, state, and regional leadership in Head Start programming through participation in the Arizona Head Start Association and the National Head Start Association
Working Conditions
Work is routinely performed in an office environment, which may require extended periods of sitting, reading, and typing. Requires travel to program sites throughout Maricopa County. The position requires travel to and from various county, client, and contractor locations during a scheduled workday, subject to County policies regarding the use of County vehicles and/or private vehicles used on County business. Must be able to travel out of town for occasional training and conferences.
Work Locations: East Valley Center in Mesa and HSD Central Office in Phoenix
Selection Procedure
* Only the most qualified candidates will be considered
* Consideration will only be given to candidates who submit online applications
* Candidates will be contacted primarily through email and their Workday online application profile
* Must pass a pre-employment background and/or fingerprint investigation as required by statute or policy, including drug and alcohol testing requirements for positions designated as safety-sensitive
Maricopa County is an equal opportunity employer.
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