Initial Posting Date:

04/03/2025

Application Deadline:

04/20/2025

Agency:

Department of Early Learning and Care

Salary Range:

$8,097 - $12,522

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Director of Early Learning Programs (Grants, Loans & Programs Manager 3)

Job Description:

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care is excited to announce a permanent opening for a Director of Early Learning Programs (Grants, Loans & Program Manager 3). Join Oregon’s Early Learning initiative and lead transformative programs like Baby Promise, Employment Related Day Care, Healthy Families Oregon, Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten, Preschool Promise, and more. This high-impact role provides strategic direction, shapes policy, advises top state leaders, and champions equity in early childhood education. In this role, you will make a statewide impact and play a key part in creating brighter beginnings for children across Oregon!

This position follows a hybrid schedule, combining remote work with time in the office. Regular monthly travel within the state for internal and external meetings is required, along with occasional attendance at national conferences.

Join Our Virtual Informational Session! Have questions about the role or application process? Join us for an Informational Session on Tuesday, April 15th, from 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM (PDT). Speak directly with the hiring manager, learn more about the position, and get your questions answered! Drop in anytime during the session using the link below and feel free to share it with others who may be interested. [Use this link to attend the meeting on the 15th]

The informational session will be conducted using TEAMS. If you're new to TEAMS or joining from a mobile device, check out these instructions beforehand. We look forward to connecting with you!

About the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC):

At DELC, we are dedicated to helping Oregon’s young children and families learn and thrive. As the state agency responsible for early learning programs, child care licensing, and family support services, we play a crucial role in shaping the future of Oregon’s children from birth to kindergarten.

We administer state-funded early learning programs, including home visiting and site-based infant, toddler, and preschool services. We also develop coordinated systems through Early Learning Hubs and collaborate with Child Care Resource and Referral organizations to provide training, coaching, and quality improvement opportunities for early learning providers.

With over 275,000 young children in Oregon, we have a unique opportunity to transform early childhood support systems, creating a brighter future for families across the state. Research shows that investing in early childhood has lifelong benefits, and now is your chance to be part of an agency making a lasting impact for generations to come.

Why Join Our Team? We are passionate about equity in early childhood education. At DELC, we value dedication, integrity, and collective wisdom, fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace where all employees can thrive. We challenge ourselves to lead with courage, refine practices, and drive meaningful change for children and families statewide.

What We Offer:

• Comprehensive Benefits: Low-cost medical, vision, and dental coverage for you and your family, plus optional benefits like life and disability insurance, deferred compensation, and flexible spending accounts.

• Work-Life Balance: 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 1 special day, monthly sick leave, and vacation accruals that increase every 5 years.
• Student Loan Forgiveness: Potential federal loan forgiveness after 120 qualifying payments.
• Inclusive Culture: A diverse, welcoming workplace committed to equity and continuous improvement.

Our Commitment to Equity: Equity is at the heart of our mission. We strive to remove barriers, foster inclusiveness, and create meaningful change for underrepresented communities. Our goal is to ensure all DELC employees and the children and families we support thrive. If you are ready to make a difference and help shape Oregon’s future, we would love to have you on our team!

What you will do:

The primary purpose of this position is to provide strategic leadership and oversight for Early Learning Programs within the Program Design and Administration Office (PDAO). This includes managing and guiding programs such as Baby Promise, Birth through Five Literacy, Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), Early Childhood Equity Fund, Healthy Families Oregon (HFO), Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten (OPK), Preschool Promise (PSP), and Relief Nurseries.

Key responsibilities include conducting research and evaluating community needs, designing and administering programs and related policies, and leading continuous program improvement. The position advises the Early Learning System Director and Executive Leadership Team on strategic planning, operational effectiveness, and action plans that support division goals. It also involves collaboration with and advocacy to external policymakers, including the Governor’s Office and Legislature.

To view a complete job description, click here

What we are looking for (minimum qualifications):

Seven years of supervision, management, or progressively related experience; OR four years of related experience and a bachelor's degree in a related field.

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

• Demonstrates a deep commitment to advancing equity and inclusion by ensuring early learning programs address disparities and prioritize outcomes for underserved populations, including children of color, children with disabilities, and economically struggling families.
• Possesses advanced knowledge and experience in designing, administering, and evaluating complex, multi-program early learning and child care initiatives that align with state and federal regulations while incorporating evidence-based best practices.
• Strong ability to analyze data, evaluate community needs, and provide strategic recommendations to influence policy changes, resource allocation, and long-term planning to improve program outcomes.
• Demonstrates skill in building and maintaining productive relationships with internal teams, tribal entities, system partners, advocates, providers, and legislators to align program efforts and ensure cohesive implementation.
• Proven ability to supervise, mentor, and develop staff through thoughtful feedback, professional development opportunities, and strong leadership, ensuring team alignment with program goals and equity-focused practices.

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.

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 (PDT) 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.

This position is designated as management service and is not represented by a union.

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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.