Manager, Compliance & Operations

Salary:
With BS degree $32.50/hour ($67,600.00 Annually)
With MA Degree $35.50/hour ($73,840.00 Annually)

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 
This position works 260 days per year, 8 hours per day. Schedules may vary due to work assignments and projects.

Work Location:  2302 Ocoee St. 

FLSA Status:  This is an Exempt position.

Department:  Early Learning

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY: 
Chattanooga Head Start is a grant-funded program, and is subject to reapplication every 5 years.
The Manager, Compliance & Operations ensures efficient and compliant operations for Head Start services, addressing the needs of children, families, staff, and the community. This role oversees compliance with Federal, State, and Local regulations and ensures the program’s overall operational efficiency and compliance. All employees employed by Chattanooga Head Start may work directly with children.

SERIES LEVEL: The Manager, Compliance & Operations is a stand-alone classification. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 
(The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.) 

Oversees operational areas such as human resources, facilities, technology, professional development, ERSEA and collaborative partnerships.

Ensures periodic reviews of facilities, technology, and partnerships for compliance with grant requirements.

Develops and implements operational policies and procedures to improve efficiency and mitigate risks.

Creates and implements an auditing plan to ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards.

Supervises staff, including the Professional Development Specialist, Technology Coordinator, Quality Assurance Coordinator, Facilities Coordinator, ERSEA Coordinator, and their respective teams.

Coordinates with Compliance Officer, HR, and HS Administration to develop, oversee, and document the Head Start orientation process and ongoing professional development.

Trains staff on compliance and operational protocols.

Leads employee relations efforts, ensuring compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and City HR policies.

Coordinates required reports, such as Self-Assessments, FA1, FA2, and the Program Information Report (PIR).

Manages grant-related compliance, reporting, and record-keeping in collaboration with the Director, Assistant Director, and Manager of Financial Operations.

Assists the Compliance Officer and HRBP with audits and HR-related issues, including leave inquiries, onboarding, resignations, terminations, and orientation.

Collaborates with Coordinator, Quality Assurance to support compliance efforts for collaborative sites with Federal, State, and Local regulations.

Addresses State Childcare Licensing issues in collaboration with Site Directors.

Coordinates with content managers to update program policies and procedures annually.

Reviews City policies and practices for compliance with Federal and State statutes, including researching and drafting new policies.

Participates in developing and implementing new initiatives, programs, and policies to support the administrative staff.

Prepares related reports and recommendations based on findings and develops action plans to maintain compliance.

Manages the Compliance Department as the first point of contact for Head Start employees with HR concerns.

Provides assistance with Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Injury on Duty (IOD), Administrative Leave, and other leave-related inquiries, including balance and accruals.

Ensures fingerprints and background checks are scheduled in collaboration with HR and Compliance Officer.

Organizes special events and functions to promote change and address key issues within the Department of Early Learning Head Start division.

Participates in meetings and facilitates communication to support the division's goals.

Must meet regular attendance requirements.

Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers, and citizens.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.

Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field. Master’s degree preferred.

At least 3 years experience with grant administration, regulatory compliance, operations management, or a closely related field. Experience with federal grant management preferred. Experience with Head Start preferred.  Any combination of equivalent experience and education to perform the essential functions of the position will be considered.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS: 
None

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION 
Knowledge of customer service principles; applicable Federal, State, and Local laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures; collaborative mediation techniques; interviewing techniques; research methods; administrative complaint processes;  investigative techniques and telephone etiquette. Skill in facilitating mediations; researching and writing legal documents; interviewing clients; providing customer service; interpreting and applying applicable laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures; preparing business correspondence; handling multiple tasks simultaneously; speaking in public; coordinating special events, educational opportunities and community outreach programs, communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction. Additionally, knowledge of equalized pay principles.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 
Positions in this class typically require fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 
Medium Work - exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. The work environment is a classroom.

This position is classified as Medium Work in compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, which require staff to ensure the health and safety of children. This may include the direct supervision of children and/or the ability to respond promptly and effectively in the event of an emergency at a Head Start center.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 
Safety Sensitive: N 
Department of Transportation - CDL: N 
Child Sensitive: Y 

The City of Chattanooga, Tennessee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the city will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
This position is subject to pre-employment screenings, which include a background check, drug screening, lift test, TB screening questionnaire and/or TB skin test (as determined by initial results), complete physical examination, Hepatitis B titer, and fingerprinting. Ongoing requirements include a physical reexamination on an annual or bi-annual basis and fingerprint clearance every five years.

The City of Chattanooga, Tennessee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

JES 7/18/25