Background Specialist (Administrative Specialist 1)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Salem (MA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A state agency focused on early childhood development is hiring a Background Specialist. In this role, you will conduct and evaluate background checks to ensure individuals are approved to work in childcare facilities. The job requires strong analytical skills and attention to detail. You will work in a hybrid environment, balancing in-office and remote tasks, and will receive comprehensive benefits including student loan forgiveness and a commitment to equity in the workplace.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage

11 paid holidays and generous vacation accrual

Student loan forgiveness opportunities

Qualifications

• Two years of secretarial or basic administrative support experience.
• Experience in records processing and generating documents.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience is acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and evaluate criminal and protective service background checks.
• Gather and analyze information from law enforcement and courts.
• Communicate results to applicants and draft official correspondence.

Skills

Customer service skills

Communication skills

Critical thinking

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Education

Associate degree in general office occupations

Job description

Initial Posting Date

10/30/2025

Application Deadline

11/12/2025

Agency

Department of Early Learning and Care

Salary Range

$3,705 - $5,066

Position Type

Employee

Position Title

Background Specialist (Administrative Specialist 1)

Job Description

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care is excited to announce a permanent opening for two Background Specialists (Administrative Specialist 1) positions. Join our team as a Background Specialist, where your attention to detail and commitment to child well‑being play a critical role in safeguarding Oregon’s youngest learners. From analyzing complex criminal histories to coordinating with law enforcement and legal agencies, this position offers a dynamic, purpose‑driven environment where your work truly makes a difference. To learn more about this role, view our day in life flyer here.

This position will work a hybrid schedule of working both in the office and at an alternate location (home). In office work is anticipated two times per month, or as needed.

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, child care providers and the children and families we support thrive.

What you will do

As a Background Specialist, you will conduct and evaluate criminal and protective service background checks for individuals applying to the Central Background Registry (CBR). The CBR is Oregon's system for ensuring individuals are approved to work in child care facilities. This involves gathering and analyzing information from law enforcement, courts, and other agencies; verifying records; resolving discrepancies; and determining eligibility based on Oregon law. You’ll communicate results to applicants, request FBI fingerprinting when needed, draft official correspondence, and maintain accurate data in the licensing system.

To view a complete job description, click here.

What we are looking for (minimum qualifications)

• Two years of secretarial or basic administrative support experience that includes records processing, generating documents, and gathering and sorting data; OR
• An associate degree in general office occupations and one year of experience with records processing, generating documents, and gathering and sorting data; OR
• An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Attributes (Requested skills)

• Experience working as the first point of contact for customer questions via phone and email; demonstrated tact and diplomacy with internal and external customers who may be frustrated, angry or hostile.
• Skilled in reading, interpreting, and explaining laws, rules, policies, and procedures clearly to diverse individuals with varying communication styles and levels of understanding.
• Skilled in researching information and making independent judgments and decisions fairly and objectively concerning a course of action to be taken.
• Experience reviewing forms for completeness and program eligibility.
• Demonstrates professional and effective communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
• Collaborative and supportive team player. Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills, willingly shares information, works cooperatively with others, and actively contributes to the success of the team.
• Ability to manage and adapt to competing deadlines and responsibilities, while maintaining ongoing tasks.
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills, attention to detail, time management and organizational skills.
• Experience working with confidential and highly sensitive materials.

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.

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.

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.

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 [e-mail].

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.