Licensing Specialist jobs in Oregon

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Are you a natural mediator 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 have a passion for providing consultation and resource information on initiatives intended to improve child outcomes, this may be the opportunity for you!

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 including remote, in office and field work.

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 overseeing the state’s Early Head Start, Head Start, Prenatal to Kindergarten, and Relief Nurseries programs, 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 quality 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 offices. As always, 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 the position is to promote the health, safety, and well-being of children in child care facilities through licensing or health and safety reviews for regulated subsidy programs. 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, health and sanitation, USDA food program sponsors, child care resource and referral agencies, training resources, professional organizations and the public. The position serves 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. This position ensures that Child Care licensing and review functions are carried out in conjunction with DELC equity policies and practices.

What we are looking for:

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

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.

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. Failure to attach a resume to your application may result in the disqualification of your application.

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. Adverse background data will be grounds for immediate disqualification. This position requires 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: .

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.

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.

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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

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.