POSITION NARRATIVE - Orange County Head Start, Inc.

POSITION NARRATIVE 

Title: 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

Location: 

Santa Ana, CA 

Organization: 

Position 

Summary: 

Orange County Head Start (OCHS) serves 4,000 children through 

44 childcare centers in the Southern California region of Orange 

County. OCHS is one of the largest employers in Orange County, 

with approximately 400 employees, and a $38 million budget. 

OCHS seeks a new Executive Director to lead the organization in 

strategic planning and in the coordination, implementation and 

performance of all Orange County Head Start programs while 

assuring adherence to federal, state, and agency performance 

standards. The Executive Director will maintain strong 

relationships with the OCHS Board of Directors, the Policy Council 

(parents), and the community at large. He or she will oversee the 

financial plan and budget, and the development and 

implementation of operating polices and procedures. 

 

241 S. FIGUEROA · SUITE 300 · LOS ANGELES · CALIFORNIA · 90012 

E: INFO@BERKHEMERCLAYTON.COM · W: BERKHEMERCLAYTON.COM 

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The Executive Director will be the external spokesperson for the 

organization, and represent OCHS to the public, employees, 

regulatory/governmental agencies, community organizations, and 

other audiences. 

Reporting 

Relationships: 

The Executive Director reports to the OCHS Board of Directors. 

Position 

Responsibilities: 

The specific responsibilities of the Executive Director include: 

▪ Maintain close working relationships and communications 

with the Board of Directors, Policy Council and community. 

▪ Develop and communicate organization's business plans, 

objectives, and goals. Develop strategic long-range 

objectives. 

▪ Ensure compliance with all regulatory directives, including 

state and federal mandates, and Head Start policies and 

procedures. Oversee federal monitoring and review process. 

▪ Oversee organization's financial plan and budget. Manage 

utilization of financial resources including timing of resource 

allocation. 

▪ Develop new ways to create alliances and partner with 

corporations and agencies for necessary services and 

donations. 

▪ Be a leader to the staff of OCHS, and provide direct 

management to direct reports. 

▪ Ensure compliance with employment policies and procedures 

and recommend ratification of major personnel actions by the 

Board of Directors and Policy Council. 

 



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▪ Create an environment that recognizes and supports the 

value of diversity. 

▪ Oversee the development, revision, communication, and 

implementation of operating policies and procedures. 

▪ Represent the organization in situations involving public, 

employees, regulatory/governmental agencies, 

contractors/suppliers, community/civic organizations, and /or 

other organizations. 

▪ Direct public relations efforts including enhancement of the 

OCHS image by actively participating in community affairs 

and making community presentations. 

▪ Provide forward-thinking initiatives to accomplish operational 

objectives, which may include organizational restructuring, 

process re-engineering, technological enhancements, and 

adaptability to changing business and regulatory 

environments. 

▪ Stay abreast of external business, technology, and regulatory 

changes/developments, and internal practices as they apply 

to the specific functional area. Recommend changes/shifts in 

tactical direction as appropriate. 

Experience 

Requirements: 

▪ Experience with government-funded programs, including 

compliance with federal and state regulations, is preferred. 

▪ Experience in early childhood development programs is 

required. In-depth knowledge of childhood nutrition, health, 

mental health, social and disability services is strongly 

preferred. 

▪ Experience developing strategic alliances and alternative 

funding sources is required. Possession of existing 

connections within California is strongly preferred. 

 



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▪ Financial management experience, including basic 

accounting skills, is required. 

▪ Experience leading an organization or large division 

comparable in size to OCHS. 

▪ Experience leading or holding a senior position within a Head 

Start agency is ideal. 

▪ Bi-lingual language skills (English plus Spanish or 

Vietnamese) are preferred. 

▪ Must possess collaborative style, comfort working with people 

from diverse backgrounds. Ability to facilitate discussion and 

achieve consensus in a way that ensures all voices are 

heard. 

▪ Requires working extended days and weeks including 

attendance at conferences, meetings, or workshops which 

may be held after normal working hours or out-of-town. 

Requires occasional work in high-risk neighborhoods. 

Education: 

Must possess at least a four-year degree from an accredited 

college or university. Master’s degree preferred. 

Compensation: 

Competitive annual compensation and benefits package, including 

retirement and health. 

 



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Procedure for 

Candidacy: 

Submit resumes or nominations, with assurance of confidentiality, 

to: 

Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire, President 

E-mail: betsy@berkhemerclayton.com 

Phone: (213) 621-2300 x23 

Or 

Krista Haley, Vice President 

E-mail: krista@berkhemerclayton.com 

Phone: (213) 621-2300 x13 

BERKHEMER CLAYTON, INC. 

241 South Figueroa St., Suite 300 

Los Angeles, CA 90012 

Fax: (213) 621-2309 

 



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POSITION NARRATIVE - Orange County Head Start, Inc.

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