Workforce Development Coordinator

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range:

$42.71 - $52.58 Hourly

Department:

Department of County Human Services (DCHS)

Job Type:

Regular Represented

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

September 07, 2025

The Opportunity:

Overview

Multnomah County voters chose to invest in high-quality, culturally responsive, joyous early learning opportunities for all 3 and 4 year-old children in Multnomah County. This investment will transform and impact educational experiences for young children and their families and we want you to help this program continue to thrive! Apply today to develop and implement strategies to increase the number of diverse early educators in our community and offer existing child care providers access to culturally relevant training and higher education opportunities.

As the Workforce Development Coordinator of the Preschool & Early Learning Division in the Department of County Human Services (DCHS), you will actively champion racial justice and equity within early childhood programs and systems at Multnomah County and in the community. You will coordinate complex projects and innovative partnerships across multiple sectors to build and strengthen the preschool workforce, reducing barriers for Black, Indigenous and Early Educators of Color at every step.

You will develop and implement Workforce Development strategies for the Preschool for All initiative utilizing the community framework and vision for Preschool for All as the foundation. You will develop strong partnerships with community based organizations, culturally specific agencies, higher education and K-12 institutions, and early childhood organizations.

You will lead and participate in workforce development planning and policy teams. You will be subject matter expert for education and credentialing requirements, degree and articulation pathways, the Oregon Registry Online, education standards for child care licensing, and alignment across early learning program requirements. You will lead and motivate external partners to achieve workforce development goals and over time, you will design and implement changes to the workforce strategies that are informed by data and feedback from early educators.

Your leadership, experience, and demonstrated commitment to racial justice will guide Preschool for All to create and increase culturally relevant and high-quality workforce development opportunities for current and future educators.

Primaryresponsibilities include:

• Workforce Development Strategic Planning + Analysis: Integrate racial justice and equity principles as a key focus to all initiatives and activities. Turn overarching goals into an organized game plan with achievable action items. Monitor implementation of workforce development strategies and develop informal and formal recommendations regarding operations that are informed by the experiences of Black, Indigenous and all Families and Providers of Color within the preschool initiative. Develop reports and other related documents to help shape policies, systems, and practices that impact preschool workforce and the overall preschool initiative
• Workforce Development Coordination + Implementation: Lead the implementation of workforce development strategies. Cultivate and nurture partnerships with preschool providers, higher educational institutions, community based organizations, Child Care Resources & Referral, workforce development programs, the Oregon Department of Early Learning & Care, and other early childhood system organizations. Provide contract management and support for workforce development investments. Provide support to team members and initiative partners using trauma informed and culturally responsive practices. Create innovative ways to inclusively lead with race in all areas. Foster a collaborative, creative, and inclusive work environment that promotes safety, belonging, and trust. Reduce barriers for Black, Indigenous and Early Educators of Color, finding innovative ways to increase culturally and linguistically relevant professional development opportunities.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following competencies:

• Promoting Equity: Deconstruct barriers to a racially just system. Cultivate work environments that value truth-telling, courage and vulnerability, space to think and reflect, community-mindedness, shared power, hope, and openness to difficult conversations.
• Leadership & Creativity: Demonstrate understanding of the culture, political nature, and interpersonal relationships that drive success at the County. Lead by example and move work forward through personal actions and collaboration. Provide meaningful feedback regarding the nature, design and intended outcomes of work in relation to the needs and demands of the County and the communities it serves. Seek, advocate for, and implement improved methods, systems and approaches to meet changing organizational needs.
• Acting with Integrity: Act in a manner that is consistently truthful, reliable, trustworthy and transparent in words and actions.
• Navigating Change: You accept change as an inevitable part of work and adapt to plans as needed. You demonstrate self-awareness, effectively manage emotions under pressure, and readily offer support and encouragement to others.
• Learning Agility: Awareness of changing workplace trends, and possess the ability and desire to adapt your own skills and knowledge while encouraging others to do the same. Able to identify issues and educate self and others regarding paths to problem resolution.

Key Knowledge & Experience:

• Advanced knowledge and understanding of the issues surrounding equity, inclusion, implicit bias, institutional racism, and other forms of systemic oppression

• Knowledge and understanding of cultures, customs and social experiences of communities experiencing marginalization and barriers to opportunity, especially for Black and Indigenous child care providers and families, and Families and Providers of Color
• Experience using knowledge and understanding of institutional racism and systemic oppression to build and/or change processes, policies, and/or procedures
• Advanced knowledge of early education credentialing requirements, including the Oregon Registry Online and education standards for child care licensing
• Advanced knowledge of early childhood systems, early care and education, and preschool quality
• Experience in planning and leading projects, programs, and/or initiatives
• Knowledge and understanding of trauma-informed practices that actively resist retraumatization of individuals and communities
• Experience with data analysis and using data to inform change utilizing a racial equity lens or framework
• Ability to research, compile, analyze, interpret, and prepare a variety of complex and comprehensive documents and reports
• Comfort with change

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The eligible list created from this recruitment may be used to fill future regular, limited duration, full or part-time, temporary, or on-call positions.

To Qualify

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page.

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills:

• Ability to promote a culture of respect, inclusiveness, and appreciation of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and values
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience
• Five (5) years of experience in Early Childhood Education (birth - 5 years old)
• Three (3) years of increasingly responsible program development, social services, policy analysis, and/or early education systems experience
• Must pass a criminal background check

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Advanced knowledge of best practices in early childhood education and preschool quality.
• Advanced knowledge of early childhood education settings, systems, and structures, including early childhood professional development systems and child care licensing
• Advanced ability to identify and address personal biases.
• Advanced knowledge and skill in advancing racial justice, understanding how systems of oppression intersect, and applying an equity lens in policy and programming processes

*Transferable Skills:

Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experiences that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.

Screening and Evaluation

The Application Packet:

Your completed application must include all of the following items:

1) A completed online application and/or resume.

2) A cover letter. Please attach a cover letter as a separate document. Respond to the following bullet points in your cover letter:

• Please describe how your background makes you a great candidate in this role described in the Overview and To Qualify sections of the job announcement.
• Preschool for All is a truly unique opportunity to build a new system for children and families in our community. Please include why working on this initiative appeals to you.
• Please describe any work experience and transferable skills that include a commitment to racial justice and equity.

Please note: Your application and/or resume and cover letter should demonstrate your work experience/skills and how it is related to those shown in the Overview and To Qualify sections of the job announcement. Please be thorough, as these materials may be scored and determine your eligibility for an interview. The quality of your response may determine if you are moved on to the next review. Please be clear and specific in the applicable sections of the online application/resume about how your background is relevant. Information stated in your cover letter must be consistent with your application and/or resume (when applicable).

Internal candidates: After you have submitted your application, please check your Workday inbox and complete the Veterans’ Preference Questionnaire prior to the application deadline.

The Selection Process:

For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of theselection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• An evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates through phone screen and/or interviews
• Background and reference checks

Note: Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Type of Position: This hourly union-represented position is eligible for overtime pay.

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week

Location: 458 SE 185TH Avenue, Portland, OR 97233

Teleworking: At this time, this position can be designated as routine telework. This designation of telework may be subject to change at a future time. Currently, all employees who telework must reside in Oregon or Washington; the county cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.

Benefits: Multnomah County offers a generous benefits package. For more information about our benefit offerings, please visit: https://multco.us/benefits/new-employee-benefits

Pay Equity: The county regularly reviews pay equity for our workforce. When setting pay we consider applicants’ education, experience, seniority, training, and tenure in relation to other employees performing a similar level of work.

Serving the Public, Even During Disasters: Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Questions?

Recruiter:

Anne Blumenauer

Email:

anne.blumenauer@multco.us

Phone:

+1 (971) 9175769

Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Job Profile:

6088 - Program Specialist Senior