Preschool & Early Learning Division Director

OverviewPreschool & Early Learning Division Director at Multnomah County. This opportunity leads the countywide implementation of a universal preschool system, supporting high-quality, culturally responsive early learning for all 3- and 4-year-old children in Multnomah County.Primary ResponsibilitiesWorkforce + Equity: Integrate equity principles as a key focus to all initiatives and activities with goals to influence a workplace where everyone can thrive and do their best. Hire, supervise, direct, and evaluate program staff while creating cohesive vision and collaborative teams that focus on eliminating oppression in the workplace. Implement, monitor, and evaluate division priorities, family experience, provider quality and satisfaction with a primary focus on reducing barriers for children, families and providers from Black, Indigenous and other communities of color. Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment that promotes safety, belonging, and trust and one that adapts as the number of preschool providers and families increases.Partnerships: Collaborate with parents, preschool providers, state leadership, Board of County Commissioners, department leadership, and community stakeholders. Determine the development and ongoing work of a diverse preschool advisory group that provides oversight using short and long-term strategic goals and plans using the Equity and Empowerment Lens. Include preschool providers, community organizations, and families in the decision making process.Strategic Leadership + Framework: Develop an implementation plan by building on the existing framework for preschool in Multnomah County and maintaining alignment across systems. Build program foundation including structures, leadership, and policy direction for a newer, complex division. Direct division-wide priorities and initiatives. Lead the division’s budget development and resource allocation. Determine priorities for contracted services and staffing. Create achievable solutions to the challenges of workforce and infrastructure shortages. Lead management team to identify improvement opportunities to reach efficiency, effectiveness, customer focus and data driven results. Promote management practices within the union contract, county personnel policies, and workforce equity goals. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the union(s). Support and implement Workforce Equity Strategic Plan and department-wide strategic business plan.The Ideal Candidate Will Demonstrate The Following CompetenciesBuilding Relationships: Investing time to create mutually beneficial relationships with coworkers, customers, community members and/or clients based on trust, understanding, and respect. Is mindful of the feelings and expectations of others and uses tact, self awareness, and emotional empathy to navigate relationships and foster social harmony. Promotes the department’s trauma informed values.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 and 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, ethical, reliable, trustworthy and transparent in words and actions.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 & ExperienceKnowledge and understanding of the issues surrounding equity, inclusion, implicit bias, institutional racism and other systemic oppressions, including access to early care and education.Knowledge of preschool systems or youth and family systems and best practices.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.Knowledge and understanding of trauma-informed practices that actively resist retraumatization of individuals and communities.Knowledge and understanding of child care providers, including the unique strengths of in-home providers and their importance in the overall system of care.Experience using a participatory management style to promote teamwork and a learning work environment for employees.Experience in supervising and leading diverse teams.Experience in building and leading complex programs.To QualifyAbility to promote a culture of respect, inclusiveness, and appreciation of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and values.Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.Six (6) years of relevant experience in increasingly responsible professional leadership or technical program experience with early education/human services, including at least three (3) years of leadership experience in a complex and diverse organization providing early education/human services delivery.Must have a valid driver's license.Must pass a criminal background check.Must pass a reference check.Screening and EvaluationRequired Application PacketYour completed application must include all of the following items:A completed online application and/or resume.A cover letter. Please attach a cover letter as a separate document that includes responses to the following questions 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 system of support for children and families in our community. Please include why leading this effort appeals to you and which part of this system you are most excited to work on.Please describe any work experience and transferable skills related to policy development and implementation, program management, and budget management that include a focus on 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 responses 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 ProcessFor details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection 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.Additional InformationType of Position: This is a salaried, at-will management position and is not eligible for overtime pay.Location: 458 SE 185TH Avenue, Portland, OR 97233Teleworking: This position can be designated as hybrid telework with a minimum of three in-person days. Telework may change in the future. Currently, all employees 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, please visit: Equity: The county regularly reviews pay equity for our workforce. When setting pay we consider education, experience, seniority, training, and tenure in relation to other employees performing a similar level of work.Serving the Public, Even During Disasters: All County employees have a role in serving the public during emergencies. See the Disaster Service Worker Information page for details.Diversity and Inclusion: Multnomah County values difference and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Veterans’ Preference applies. Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act is available; contact the recruiter in advance.Questions? Recruiter: Anne Blumenauer, , +1 (971) 917-5769Disclaimer: This announcement is a general recruitment guide and may change without notice. It does not constitute a contract.Job Profile: 9602 - Division Director 2 #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-10-08