Licensing Specialist (Compliance Specialist 2) - Multiple Positions Across Oregon!

We are excited to announce several permanent Licensing Specialist (Compliance Specialist 2) positions, located throughout Oregon!

Are you a mission-driven professional with a passion for public service and a commitment to ensuring the health and safety of children in child care settings? If you excel at working independently, enjoy solving complex problems, and are adept at interpreting and applying regulations within an administrative framework, you will find this position both meaningful and rewarding. If you are a natural educator, have a forward-thinking approach, and thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments, this role may be for you.

These positions will work a hybrid schedule of working in the office and alternate location (home). You will be expected to come into the office, as needed, to prepare for facility visits.

We are filling multiple Licensing Specialist positions across Oregon – including bilingual positions! Locations and positions listed below.

• • Salem (2 positions) – one bilingual in Spanish, one bilingual in Russian
  • Portland and Tualatin (6 positions) – two non-bilingual positions available, four bilingual in Spanish
  • Eugene (1 position) – bilingual in Spanish
  • Redmond (1 position) – bilingual in Spanish
  • Medford (1 position) – non-bilingual position available

We will be hosting two Virtual Informational Sessions for anyone that is interested in these roles to learn more about what they do and to ask any questions you have! These Informational Sessions will be held on Thursday, August 21st and Friday, August 22nd from 12:00PM – 12:45PM (PDT). You are welcome to join the informational session at any time, but we highly recommend joining us right at 12PM. This will help ensure the manager can share all the key details just once and leave plenty of time to answer everyone's questions. We look forward to connecting with you! Save the link below to use on the day of the session and feel free to share it with others who may be interested.

• • The informational session for the Salem, Eugene, Medford and Redmond locations will be on Thursday, August 21st. [Use this link to attend the meeting on the 21st]
  • The informational session for the Portland Metro and Tualatin locations will be on Friday, August 22nd. [Use this link to attend the meeting on the 22nd]
  • The informational session will be conducted using TEAMS. If you're new to TEAMS or joining from a mobile device, check out these instructions beforehand. We look forward to connecting with you!

To view a complete job description and to apply, visit the State of Oregon jobs page and in the search bar type in DELC. This will pull up a list of all our current openings. You will notice each of the job postings will list the location and any bilingual requirements in the title. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at DELC.Jobs@delc.oregon.gov

About the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC):

At DELC, we are dedicated to helping Oregon’s young children and families learn and thrive. As the state agency responsible for early learning programs, child care licensing, and family support services, we play a crucial role in shaping the future of Oregon’s children from birth to kindergarten. We administer state-funded early learning programs, including home visiting and site-based infant, toddler, and preschool services. We also develop coordinated systems through Early Learning Hubs and collaborate with Child Care Resource and Referral organizations to provide training, coaching, and quality improvement opportunities for early learning providers. With over 275,000 young children in Oregon, we have a unique opportunity to transform early childhood support systems, creating a brighter future for families across the state. Research shows that investing in early childhood has lifelong benefits, and now is your chance to be part of an agency making a lasting impact for generations to come. Why Join Our Team? We are passionate about equity in early childhood education. At DELC, we value dedication, integrity, and collective wisdom, fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace where all employees can thrive. We challenge ourselves to lead with courage, refine practices, and drive meaningful change for children and families statewide.

What We Offer:

• • Comprehensive Benefits: Low-cost medical, vision, and dental coverage for you and your family, plus optional benefits like life and disability insurance, deferred compensation, and flexible spending accounts.
  • Work-Life Balance: 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 1 special day, monthly sick leave, and vacation accruals that increase every 5 years.
  • Student Loan Forgiveness: Potential federal loan forgiveness after 120 qualifying payments.
  • Inclusive Culture: A diverse, welcoming workplace committed to equity and continuous improvement.

Our Commitment to Equity: Equity is at the heart of our mission. We strive to remove barriers, foster inclusiveness, and create meaningful change for underrepresented communities. Our goal is to ensure all DELC employees and the children and families we support thrive. If you are ready to make a difference and help shape Oregon’s future, we would love to have you on our team!

What you will do:

These positions promote the health, safety, and well-being of children in child care facilities by regulating and licensing various programs, including regulated subsidies, family child care, and center-based care. Responsibilities include conducting licensing visits, compliance reviews, and investigations of complaints or unlawful care. Licensing Specialists apply complex federal, state, and local regulations while providing technical assistance and consultation to providers. They collaborate with agencies such as fire marshals, public health officials, and child care resource organizations. Serving one or more counties, they ensure licensing and review functions align with DELC equity policies and practices.

Check out our “Day in the life of a Licensing Specialist” flyer

What we are looking for (minimum qualifications):

Four years of experience doing administrative research that included compiling and evaluating facts to recommend management action, or decide compliance with program guidelines and regulations. Two of the four years must be above the technical support level. Note: college-level course work may substitute for experience on the basis of 45-quarter units per year, up to a maximum of three years.

In addition, we are looking for applicants that have the following Desired Attributes (requested skills):

• • Experience with interpreting, performing, and presenting statutes, laws, rules and policies to partners and community members with varying levels of understanding.
  • Experience implementing or assessing compliance with health and safety regulations through on-site inspections.
  • Adept at managing simultaneous tasks, adjusting priorities in real-time, and addressing unexpected challenges as they arise.
  • Strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and consistent accuracy in work.
  • Experience preparing and delivering professional presentations to diverse audiences.
  • Self-directed and effective in remote, field-based roles.
  • Proficient in Microsoft office (Word, Excel, Access) and strong written communication skills (spelling, grammar, and editing/proofreading).
  • Experience or practical knowledge of how health and safety regulations influence early childhood education practices

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.

These positions close 9/1/2025.

Why Join Our Team? We are passionate about equity in early childhood education. At DELC, we value dedication, integrity, and collective wisdom, fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace where all employees can thrive. We challenge ourselves to lead with courage, refine practices, and drive meaningful change for children and families statewide.

What We Offer:

• Comprehensive Benefits: Low-cost medical, vision, and dental coverage for you and your family, plus optional benefits like life and disability insurance, deferred compensation, and flexible spending accounts.
• Work-Life Balance: 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 1 special day, monthly sick leave, and vacation accruals that increase every 5 years.
• Student Loan Forgiveness: Potential federal loan forgiveness after 120 qualifying payments.
• Inclusive Culture: A diverse, welcoming workplace committed to equity and continuous improvement.

Our Commitment to Equity: Equity is at the heart of our mission. We strive to remove barriers, foster inclusiveness, and create meaningful change for underrepresented communities. Our goal is to ensure all DELC employees and the children and families we support thrive. If you are ready to make a difference and help shape Oregon’s future, we would love to have you on our team!