High Desert ESD celebrates all cultures and languages and is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive considerations for employment without regards to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

 

Early Learning Hub Program Director

40 hours/week, 250 day contract (pro-rated for remainder of 2024-25)

Start date:  TBD

Location: Redmond - Better Together/Early Learning Hub

Benefits include family insurance package, vacation, paid sick leave and holidays, generous PERS contribution

Salary Range:  $89,000-$99,000/year, depending on experience and education

 

 

This position is open until filled.  Review of applications will be conducted upon receipt of qualified candidates.

 

Employee Value Statement:

At the heart of the breathtaking landscapes of Central Oregon, where snow-capped mountains meet lush forests and vibrant communities, lies an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. The High Desert ESD believes that every student, educator, and community member deserves a voice and a place to thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances. Our commitment to equity and inclusion is woven into everything we do, from the programs we develop to the partnerships we cultivate. We strive to create a culture where diverse perspectives are valued and where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

 

Position Summary: 

The Director plans, organizes and directs the work of the High Desert ESD’s Early Learning Hub in alignment with the Department of Early Learning and Care, Central Oregon Health Council, and Better Together. This includes developing and implementing governance, managing and organizing structure, prioritizing and aligning community stakeholders around a common agenda, thereby ensuring families and community partners are empowered to more fully participate in the services and support available for families with children from birth to age 5. This position is also accountable for implementation of and compliance with High Desert ESD, state and federal statutes, rules and regulations and develops and monitors early learning budget targeted to outcome goals of Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care and the community.  The director is the key staff person to the Early Learning Leadership Council and collaborates with other key community stakeholders.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as an advocate for the early childhood system
• Develop strategic direction and shared vision with families, stakeholders and partners for the Central Oregon Region
• Build and maintain trusting, effective partnership across sectors and community partners, including diverse groups and organizations
• Identify opportunities for investment of time and resources to address gaps in service
• Identify systemic barriers, root causes and cross-sector opportunities to address through policy, practice and investment
• Participate and contribute to partner committees and initiatives to improve impact
• Lead committee focus work with continuous improvement strategies and feedback to communities and families
• Lead design and implementation of strategies to bridge transitions for infants and young children and their families across ages and systems
• Support Early Learning Leadership Council to have cross-sector input in policy, investment and prioritization of regional work
• Participate in training and strategies to support equity and inclusion in workforce development and program/system strategies
• Utilize data to understand and demonstrate the need for targeted equity strategies and to measure improvement strategies
• Elevate and support family voice in development of strategies, feedback to local and state policy and practice
• Support growth of culturally and linguistically responsive programs and services
• Facilitate regional strategies to share programs/initiatives and local impact with local, state, and federal elected officials
• Utilize an Equity Lens in hiring and supporting staff
• Identify, contract and/or lead cross training opportunities for team members
• Provide strategies to support individual team member career pathways and success in their current role
• Develop a budget and manage fiscal responsibilities
• Develop and manage contracts
• Complete reports and progress summaries for program compliance and responsiveness to funders and stakeholders
• Communicate effectively with all stakeholders, both verbally and in writing
• Prepare, submit and monitor grants
• Fulfill other related duties as assigned
• Exhibit regular attendance, as demonstrated by not more than an average of one day per month absent unless on a protected statutory leave
• Be punctual and present for all required duties

 Specific Job Capabilities:

• Demonstrated ability to read, analyze and interpret financial reports, technical procedures, governmental regulations and legal documents
• Ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders and customers regarding all aspects of early learning activities
• Ability to apply professional judgment in a variety of situations while under stress
• Demonstrated skills in community planning, including working with key partners
• Ability to work with partners to formulate and articulate a vision based on values and mission
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and articulate those verbally and in writing
• Ability to manage employees and assign work
• Ability to align and support specific initiatives with multiple sectors
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as necessary
• Travel when required, which includes having access to reliable transportation
• Hold experience in working with governing board and/or council

 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must possess a Bachelor’s degree in a specialized field related to human services (early childhood, community development, social work, health related fields, etc.), or equivalent hours of experience as determined by the High Desert ESD.
• At least five (5) years of experience in management, supervision and community development, preferably in the areas listed above OR a combination of formal training and supervisory experience demonstrably equivalent
• Strong computer skills in MS Office Suite and Google Docs and Sheets

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual Spanish

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. 

 

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to:  talk, hear, walk frequently, sit, stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, use hand dexterity for computer work, handle items, reach with hand and arms, lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds and see close and at a distance, have peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus.  Workloads are heavy and timelines may be unreasonably short at times.  Requests and issues are often received which require immediate attention and conflict with other priorities. 

 

Terms of Employment   Salary, benefits, and vacation are established by policy and contract.