Early Learning Program Manager (Policy, Planning, and Development Manager 1)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; United States; Remote; USD 6,000 - 11,000; Full time

Job summary

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care seeks an Early Learning Program Manager to oversee transformative programs ensuring equitable access to early education. This role involves managing a talented team and collaborating with various partners to drive high-quality outcomes for children and families across Oregon.

Benefits

Comprehensive Benefits

Work-Life Balance

Student Loan Forgiveness

Inclusive Culture

Qualifications

• Five years of lead work or supervision experience.
• Experience managing early learning or child care programs.
• Ability to lead with a strategic, equity-centered lens.

Responsibilities

• Manage implementation of early learning programs.
• Supervise a team of program and policy analysts.
• Collaborate with state and federal agencies.

Skills

Leadership

Program Management

Data-Informed Decision Making

Collaboration

Equity and Inclusion

Education

Bachelor's Degree in a related field

Job description

Initial Posting Date:

05/23/2025

Application Deadline:

06/08/2025

Agency:

Department of Early Learning and Care

Salary Range:

$6,667 - $10,311

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Early Learning Program Manager (Policy, Planning, and Development Manager 1)

Job Description:

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care is excited to announce a permanent opening for an Early Learning Program Manager (Policy, Planning, & Development Manager 1). Are you a visionary leader with a passion for children and families? As DELC’s Early Learning Program Manager, you’ll oversee transformative programs like Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten, Preschool Promise, Employment Related Daycare and Baby Promise—ensuring high-quality early education and child care benefits reach every corner of our state. Lead a talented team, collaborate with state and federal partners, and help drive equitable access and strong outcomes for Oregon’s youngest learners. This is your chance to make a lasting difference in early childhood systems statewide.

This position will work a hybrid schedule of working both remotely and in the office. In-office work is expected once per month for meetings and to connect with staff as needed.

Join Our Virtual Informational Session! Have questions about the role or application process? Join us for an Informational Session on Tuesday, June 3rd from 12:00PM – 12:30PM (PDT). Speak directly with the hiring manager, learn more about the position, and get your questions answered! You're welcome to join the informational session at any time, but we highly recommend joining us right at 12PM. This will help ensure the manager can share all the key details just once and leave plenty of time to answer everyone's questions. We look forward to connecting with you! Save the link below to use on the day of the session and feel free to share it with others who may be interested. [Use this link to attend the meeting on the 3rd ]

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, child care providers 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 purpose of this position is to manage the implementation of DELC’s early learning programs including Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten (OPK), Preschool Promise (PSP), Baby Promise, and child care benefits programs, namely the Employment Related Day Care Program. The Early Learning Programs Manager will supervise a team of program and policy analysts responsible for program administration including program design, systems development, and quality control to ensure high-quality experiences and outcomes for children and families.

Reporting to the Early Learning Programs Director, the manager collaborates across DELC teams and partners with state and federal agencies to ensure coordinated, high-quality program delivery and benefits administration.

To view a complete job description, click here

What we are looking for (minimum qualifications):

Five years of lead work, supervision, or progressively related experience; OR two 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):

• Proven ability to lead, supervise, and mentor teams, including managing performance, professional development, onboarding, and corrective actions.
• Experience managing early learning or child care programs, including implementation, oversight, and alignment with state/federal requirements.
• Leads program design and implementation with a strategic, equity-centered lens, integrating inclusive practices that address systemic disparities.
• Applies data-informed decision-making to drive continuous improvement, ensure accountability, and support quality assurance in program delivery.
• Expertise in navigating complex regulatory and compliance environments, with a deep understanding of public program standards and risk mitigation strategies.
• Exceptional communicator with the ability to build trust and collaborate across diverse audiences, including families, providers, tribal communities, and government partners.
• Strong fiscal stewardship and resource management skills, aligning budgets with program goals, legislative intent, and public accountability standards.
• Proven success in cross-sector collaboration, aligning efforts with government agencies, tribal nations, and internal departments to support unified program goals.
• Thrives in dynamic environments, adapting to change while maintaining a steadfast focus on improving outcomes for children and families.
• Deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and cultural responsiveness, with demonstrated experience centering tribal sovereignty and uplifting historically marginalized communities.

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 is a management service position, 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 [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.