Early Learning Program Specialist (Operations & Policy Analyst 2)

Initial Posting Date:

02/11/2025

Application Deadline:

03/02/2025

Agency:

Department of Early Learning and Care

Salary Range:

$5,325 - $8,148

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Early Learning Program Specialist (Operations & Policy Analyst 2)

Job Description:

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care is excited to announce a permanent opening for an Early Learning Program Specialist (Operations & Policy Analyst 2). Now is your chance to play a key role in shaping the future of early education in Oregon! We are looking for a dynamic leader to drive improvements in pre-k and early learning programs, ensuring high-quality instruction, strong teacher-child interactions, and data-driven decision-making. Focused on the Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten (OPK) program, you'll also support other early learning initiatives while fostering continuous professional growth and collaboration.

Oregon is home to over 275,000 children, birth to kindergarten entry. Our state has an opportunity to change how it supports these children and their families and, in doing so, put itself on the path to an even brighter future. Overwhelming evidence tells us that investing in young children and their families has a lasting impact across their lifetime. Now is your chance to be part of an agency that will have positive impacts on current and future generations of young children and their families.

This position will work a hybrid schedule of working both remotely and in the office at least once per quarter.

Want to learn more about this position? Do you have questions about the application process? Join us virtually for an Informational Session on Friday, February 21st from 12:00PM to 12:30PM (PST). During this Informational Session you will get the chance to speak directly with the hiring manager, who will be discussing this role in detail and answering any questions that you have! Any interested individuals are welcome to join us any time between 12:00PM and 12:30PM (PST) using the meeting link below. Please share this meeting link with anyone that might be interested in this role. Use this link the day of to join the Informational Session: Join the meeting now

We look forward to connecting with you! If you have never joined a Teams meeting or will be joining from a mobile phone, please read these instructions first: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/join-a-meeting-without-a-teams-account-c6efc38f-4e03-4e79-b28f-e65a4c039508

More about us:

This position is part of the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) which is an agency that prides itself on enabling Oregon's young children and families to learn and thrive. We are responsible for administering state funded early learning programs, including home visiting and site-based infant, toddler, and preschool services and supports for families, licensing Oregon's child care providers and developing systems that coordinate regional cross sector partnerships through Early Learning Hubs. DELC partners with local Child Care Resource and Referral organizations to provide professional learning, coaching, consultation and other quality improvement opportunities for early learning and care providers.

What you will do:

This position is responsible for developing and managing the systems, processes, and operations needed to plan, implement, and sustain improvements in Oregon's pre-k and early education programs. The goal is to create an integrated early education system that fosters strong teacher-child interactions, high-quality instruction, and developmentally appropriate practices. Additionally, this role will ensure effective, aligned curriculum and assessments, data-driven decision-making, and continuous professional development. Serving as a liaison with other divisions and external partners, this position will primarily focus on the Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten (OPK) program, while also supporting other publicly funded early learning initiatives.

To view a complete job description, click here

What we are looking for (minimum qualifications):

A Bachelor's Degree in Business or Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, Finance, Political Science, Early Learning or related degree; and two years professional-level evaluative, analytical and planning work.

OR;

Any combination of experience and education equivalent to five years of professional-level evaluative, analytical and planning work.

In addition, we are looking for applicants that have the following Desired Attributes (requested skills):

• Program Management Skills- Ability to oversee complex programs, track progress, and ensure timely delivery.
• Strong Communication Skills- Proficiency in written and verbal communication, with the ability to explain complex information clearly.
• Collaboration and Relationship Building- Experience working with diverse groups, both internally and externally.
• Data Analysis Proficiency- Expertise in data collection, analysis, and reporting, including using tools like Excel and Smartsheets.
• Research and Policy Knowledge- Ability to research best practices and assess the impact of legislation and policy changes.
• Attention to Detail- High attention to detail, especially in managing sensitive information and ensuring compliance.
• Leadership and Initiative- Strong leadership skills and a proactive approach to managing projects and processes.
• Experience with Early Childhood Education- Knowledge of early childhood education best practices and related regulations.
• Grant and Proposal Writing- Ability to write and review grants, proposals, and policy documents.
• Compliance and Regulatory Knowledge- Familiarity with program compliance, including monitoring and adhering to regulations.

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care strives to create an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the diversity of the people we serve. We foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to create a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. Candidates of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well as bilingual/multicultural individuals, are encouraged to apply.

To Apply:

The screening of candidates will be based on a review of an attached resume (limit to two pages). While a cover letter is not required, it is highly encouraged. If you submit a cover letter, please tailor it to the position and address your experience with the desired attributes listed above. Candidates whose backgrounds most closely match the desired attributes and experience section as outlined in this announcement will be invited to interview. For helpful tips on putting together your application materials and interviewing, visit our Resources for Job Seekers page.

What's in it for you?

When you join the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care, you are joining a fast-paced, creative environment with colleagues who are passionate about public service and building early childhood equity statewide.

• Excellent medical, vision, and dental benefits package for the employee and qualified family members with a very low monthly out-of-pocket cost. In addition to standard medical benefits and employee leave, the state also provides additional optional benefits, such as basic life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and child care expenses;
• 11 paid holidays per year;
• 3 paid "Personal Business Days" per year that you may use at any time;
• 1 additional paid "Special Day" per year that you may use at any time;
• 8 hours of sick leave accumulated every month;
• Progressive vacation leave accrual, with increases every 5 years;
• Student Loan Forgiveness Program: if you have federal student loan debt or are thinking of going back to school, then you will want to look into this program. If you make 120 qualifying payments on your student loan while working full time for a qualifying employer, your student loan debt may be forgiven.

Commitment to Equity:

Considering a career with us means that you value dedication, integrity, and collective wisdom and that you are eager to employ values rooted in equity to benefit Oregon's children and families. We value diversity and support a positive and welcoming environment where all of our employees can thrive. Our teams promote a collaborative, proactive culture of continuous improvement with a focus on quality implementation and impactful outcomes for children and families.

As our state, counties, and cities become more diverse, it is imperative now more than ever that we focus on evolving practices to achieve increased equity, diversity, and inclusion in all of our work. Our goal is to lead with courage externally and internally. This means challenging ourselves to do things differently and refining current practices that ensure we continue to make strides towards equity.

We understand that everyone has varying levels of understanding when it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion and we are here to meet you where you are! At DELC, we are committed to creating a place where everyone has a chance to achieve their dreams, no matter where they come from or what they look like by:

• Designing and/or asking sets of questions to identify and eliminate disparate results-outputs, outcomes, impacts- of policies, programs, and practices for underserved/under-represented community members (e.g., people of color; people with disabilities; LGBTQ+, etc.; and new immigrant populations).
• Demonstrating cultural consciousness, commitment, and behavior, to improving an inclusive workplace climate for everyone.
• Producing results, i.e., outputs, outcomes, or impacts from programs and decisions toward closing disparities for under-represented community members and improving results for everyone.

Additional Information:

This recruitment announcement will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.

This position is subject to both a Child Protective Services and Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) check, including FBI fingerprinting, and will be required to enroll in the Central Background Registry. Both of these checks must be completed and approved prior to starting with the agency. The results can take 1-3 weeks to get back. Adverse background data will be grounds for immediate disqualification. This position will require occasional travel to field offices and for meetings, therefore, a valid driver license and acceptable driving record is required, unless the successful applicant can provide a satisfactory alternate mode of transportation.

Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference. For further information, please see the following website: Veterans Resources.

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. The Department is an E-Verify employer.

The job posting closes at 11:59 PM (PST) on the close date. After you submit your application, be sure to respond to the two questionnaires relating to public records requests and veterans' preference immediately following your submittal. These questions are necessary to complete the application process.

External Applicants (non-state of Oregon employees): If you would like to retain a copy of this job posting, please print a copy before submitting your application. Once the job posting has closed, you will not be able to access the posting.

The employee in this position will be represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and will be subject to all terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement. Pay and benefits on all job listings may change without notice.

Want to be notified of our latest openings, subscribe here

Not from Oregon? Learn more about our beautiful state here

Applicants with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process. For assistance regarding reasonable accommodation requests, please contact the agency recruitment team at DELC.Jobs@delc.oregon.gov

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer committed to a diverse workforce. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet every one of our desired attributes listed. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of this position, please feel free to contact us to discuss your application.