Early Literacy Policy Analyst (Operations & Policy Analyst 3)

Job Description :

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care is excited to announce a permanent opening for an Early Learning Literacy Policy Analyst (Operations & Policy Analyst 3).

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.

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 this position is to develop long-range plans, goals, objectives, and milestones pertaining to the Birth Through Five Literacy Plan, and to provide consultative advice on the administrative, policy, programmatic and management aspects of agency operations related to the plan.

This position is also responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of and legislative coordination related to the Birth Through Five Literacy program.

What we are looking for :

A Bachelor's Degree in Business or Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, Early Learning, or related degree;

and four years professional-level evaluative, analytical and planning work. OR; Any combination of experience and education equivalent to seven years of professional-level evaluative, analytical and planning work.

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

Experience utilizing system thinking practices to improve a policy, procedure and / or practice. Systems thinking is an approach to problem-solving that views problems as part of a wider dynamic system.

It recognizes and prioritizes the understanding of linkages, relationships, interactions and interdependencies among the components of a system that give rise to the system’s observed behavior.

Systems thinking is a philosophical frame, and it can also be considered a method with its own tools.

• Skilled in working in, and managing team projects, project planning / management, and budget management.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to independently solve problems.
• Experience developing internal policies, procedures and / or workflow processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to successfully interface with a diverse range of key partners.
• Experience and / or knowledge of early (birth through age eight) literacy development.

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.

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.