Licensing Specialist

Are you a natural educator who enjoys taking initiative on matters that impact the safety, health and development of children?  Do you thrive in dynamic environments and enjoy working autonomously? If you enjoy problem-solving and exploring the nuances in rules and regulations in an administrative environment, through a child safety lens, you will flourish in this position.  

This role will support a diverse population in north and northeast Portland. We acknowledge the value of diversity and recognize the benefits of working in diverse teams to broaden perspectives, enhance creativity and better problem-solve. Black, Brown, Indigenous, Latinx, and applicants from other minority communities are encouraged to apply.

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care is excited to announce a permanent opening for a Licensing Specialist (Compliance Specialist 2).

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 (8 days per year in office and quarterly in-office meetings).

More about us:

This position is part of (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.

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. Those who fill these positions will join a new team of dedicated and passionate professionals. 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. The Department of Early Learning and Care supports a work life balance, where employees are supported in an environment where they can thrive.

What you will do:

The primary purpose of these positions are to promote the health, safety, and well-being of children in child care facilities through regulating and/or licensing various types of programs including, but not limited to, regulated subsidy programs, registered family child care, certified family child care, certified center child care, and certified school-age child care. Staff conduct initial licensing visits, pre-certification consult visits, announced and unannounced review and monitoring visits, regulated subsidy reviews, assess complaint allegations against licensed facilities and allegations of possible unlawful care against unlicensed facilities. Staff apply complex federal, state, and local statutes, codes, rules, and policies related to child care licensing and regulated subsidy programs. Licensing Specialists provide technical assistance to providers and facility staff to aid in compliance with regulations and provide consultation and resource information on state quality initiatives intended to improve child outcomes. There is considerable contact with collateral agencies such as the local fire marshal, local public health agencies, USDA food program sponsors, child care resource and referral agencies, training resources, professional organizations, and the public. These positions serve one or more counties for the purpose of conducting regulated subsidy reviews, licensing child care centers, certified family child care homes and registered family child care homes. They ensure that child care licensing and review functions are carried out in conjunction with DELC equity policies and practices. 

What we are looking for:

Four years of experience doing administrative research that included compiling and evaluating facts to recommend management action, or decide compliance with program guidelines and regulations. Two of the four years must be above the technical support level. Note: college-level course work may substitute for experience on the basis of 45-quarter units per year, up to a maximum of three years.

In addition, we are looking for applicants that have the following Desired Attributes:

• Experience and applied knowledge of child development, early childhood education, and health and safety requirements. 
• Experience with interpreting, performing, and presenting statutes, laws, rules and policies to partners and community members with varying levels of understanding. 
• Strong relationship building, de-escalation skills, and customer service experience, often handling difficult situations and frustrated customers. 
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize work assignments and respond to emergent situations. 
• Perform with a high degree of accuracy, excellent attention to detail and good judgement. 
• Experience delivering presentations. 
• Experience working independently in a fieldwork setting. 
• Proficient in Microsoft office (Word, Excel, Access) and strong written communication skills (spelling, grammar, and editing/proofreading). 
• Ability to analyze and use multiple perspectives and facts to arrive at a well-informed conclusion
• Ability to professionally and effectively communicate, orally and in writing, with a variety of people answering questions and explaining rules and policies.

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.

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 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;
• 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.

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.