We are seeking a Child Care Policy Analyst (Operations and Policy Analyst 4) with our Policy, Legislative, and Research Team in the Early Learning Division.
This is a permanent, full-time position represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
More about us:
The Early Learning Division (ELD) prides itself on supporting all of Oregon's young children and families to learn and thrive. When you consider a career with us, you will be joining a team that values equity, making a positive impact for children and families, dedication, integrity, and collective wisdom to benefit Oregon children and families. We value diversity and support a positive and welcoming environment where all of our employees can thrive.
At the Early Learning Division, we believe it is critical that we continue efforts to make the commitment to embed an equity focus throughout the organization. As our state, counties, and cities become more diverse, it is imperative now more than ever that the Early Learning Division focuses 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 Policy, Legislative, and Research Team is collaborative and team-oriented. The nature of the work requires flexibility and adaptability to respond to urgent needs of the division, assisting colleagues and external partners. This often means being able to pivot quickly from one task to another, with rapid turnaround times for projects.
More about this exciting role:
As a Child Care Policy Analyst, you focus on the state’s Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) State Plan, with an emphasis on child care assistance policy. ELD, the lead agency for CCDF, is responsible for setting the vision for child care in the state in accordance with Federal and State requirements. You are a key leader in creating that vision, as well as operationalizing it through the development of the CCDF State Plan.
As the Child Care Policy Analyst, you support the implementation of the CCDF State Plan, ensure compliance with federal regulations and represent the ELD with the federal Office of Child Care and other partners. You will collaborate with Oregon’s Department of Human Services, which administers the state’s child care subsidy program, work closely with Federal Region X partners, and frequently engage with stakeholders across the state.
You will also collaborate with CCDF tribal child care administrators in the state. The Child Care Policy Analyst plays a key role on ELD’s policy team and provides policy expertise and advice to ELD leadership and other policymakers.
Child Care Policy Analyst tasks (at-a-glance)
Policy Advice
Manage and coordinate work related to the study of CCDF and child care policy, including how such policy intersects with the broader early learning agenda of the state (i.e., Raise Up Oregon, the state’s strategic plan).
Recommend and formulate plans to adjust state policy. Lead external stakeholder groups towards collaborative decision-making around state policy direction. Integrate the voices of families affected by CCDF into the state policy agenda.
Lead planning efforts between ELD and DHS on child care assistance policy, including serving as the lead developer of inter-agency agreements.
Collaborate with tribal child care administrators to ensure alignment of state and federal resources and represent ELD at Government to Government Human Services cluster meetings.
Represent the agency and communicate policy direction at meetings of the legislature, the Early Learning Council, national committees that develop policy, legislative, and systems-level proposals, and cabinet-level meetings if needed.
Recommend policy strategies and options and legislative positions to ELD leadership.
Legislative Coordination
Draft legislative proposals. Review and track state and federal legislation. Prepare testimony. Conduct bill analysis on child care and early learning-related bills.
Communicate the effect of proposed legislation to state legislators, legislative committee members, lobbyists, and task forces.
Monitor implementation of childcare-related legislation.
Design strategies to maximize CCDF funding to state programs. Oversee preparation of briefing materials about Oregon programs for Governor’s staff, legislative staff, and other legislative partners.
Assist in developing budgetary materials.
Early Learning System Improvement and ELD Organizational Improvement
Design cross-agency structures to implement CCDF.
Evaluate current key collaborative relationships related to CCDF implementation, including the meeting and other collaborative structures across ELD and DHS.
Work closely with the community systems, program, and Office of Child Care teams to understand the implementation of CCDF and any improvements to ensure cross-team implementation is effective.
Project Management
Plan research studies related to CCDF, including identifying project scope, required training, and resources.
Recommend additional work or short-term projects related to CCDF.
Develop project plans. Coordinate project activities with internal units. Administer project contracts and monitor contractor performance as necessary.
Working Conditions:
Must be able to manage noisy work environments with possible interruptions. Some in- and out-of-state travel required. Possible weekend and evening work required. This position may need to attend regional conferences or meetings. Travel will be based on business needs and will be given advance notice if required.
Minimum Qualifications:
A Bachelor's Degree in Business or Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, Finance, Political Science or any degree related to public policy and five years professional-level evaluative, analytical, and planning work related to public policy;
OR;
Any combination of experience and education equivalent to eight years of experience that typically supports the knowledge and skills for professional-level evaluative, analytical, and planning work related to public policy.
Desired Attributes:
Knowledge of, or experience in rulemaking, government process, state/federal legislative process, and Policy analysis.
Demonstrated ability to interpret and translate statutes and federal regulations to a broad group of constituents.
Ability to provide fiscal analysis of policy and statewide budget process, policy, and practices.
Experience in project management, strategic thinking, planning, and execution of a policy, project, or process.
Demonstrated collaborator and relationship builder. With the ability to work successfully across units within an organization.
What’s in it for you?
When you join the Early Learning Division, you are joining a fast-paced, creative environment with colleagues who are passionate about public service and impact the lives of children and families statewide.
Excellent medical, vision, and dental benefits package for the employee and qualified family members with a very low monthly out-of-pocket cost.
Paid days off –
10 paid holidays per year.
3 additional paid "Personal Business Days" per year.
8 hours of sick leave accumulated every month.
Progressive vacation leave accrual, starting at 8 hours per month, with increases every 5 years.
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.
To compete for this position, please submit the following:
A Professional Resume
A Cover Letter
If you are a current State of Oregon employee, you must apply through your employee Workday profile.
If you are an external applicant, please apply here: https://oregon.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/SOR_External_Career_Site/job/...
The screening of candidates will be based on a review of the cover letter and attached resume. Candidates whose backgrounds most closely match the requested skills and desired attributes as outlined in this announcement will be invited to interview.
Please contact ode.jobs@state.or.us if you have any questions about the application process.
Failure to complete these steps may result in the disqualification of your application.
Additional Information:
Monitor your Workday account and email, as all communication will be sent electronically. You must have a valid e-mail address to apply. Warning! The system will timeout after 20 minutes of inactivity. You must save your progress accordingly.
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 Child Protective Services and Criminal History checks, including FBI fingerprinting, and will be required to enroll in the Central Background Registry. Adverse background data may 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. You may also call the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs at 1-800-692-9666.
The Oregon Department of Education 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 Oregon Department of Education is an E-Verify employer. If you are a successful candidate you must present your I-9 acceptable documents (See page 3) for employment verification.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, these positions will start off fully remote with the possibility of returning to a physical office in the future.
* Employees who are Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) participating members will have their base salary increased by 6.95% and pay a 6% employee contribution to PERS; the salary range noted above reflects base salary only.*
We hope that you will consider applying for this exciting career opportunity today!
For additional information, please contact us by e-mail at ode.jobs@state.or.us.
The Department of Education is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer committed to a diverse workforce. The Department 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. 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 qualifications listed. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of this position, please feel free to contact us to discuss your application.
