Investigations Specialist (Compliance Specialist 2) - Redmond

State of Oregon•Redmond, WA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Join the Department of Early Learning and Care as a Child Care Investigations Specialist and help ensure safe, nurturing environments for Oregon’s children. You will partner with families, child care providers, and agencies like the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and law enforcement to support quality child care across the state. From responding to concerns and helping facilities meet health and safety standards to documenting findings and contributing to important decisions, your work will make a meaningful difference in children’s lives. If you are naturally curious and skilled at connecting with people to uncover important details, we’d love to hear from you! This position will work a hybrid schedule of working in the office, in the field, and at an alternate location (home). You will be expected to come into the office as needed to prepare for facility visits. This position will work in Deschutes, Crook, Jefferson, and other surrounding counties occasionally depending on need. 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!

Requirements

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.
This position is subject to both a Child Protective Services and Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) check, including FBI fingerprinting, and will be required to enroll in the Central Background Registry. Both of these checks must be completed and approved prior to starting with the agency. Adverse background data will be grounds for immediate disqualification.
This position will require travel to field offices and for licensing visits, therefore, a valid driver license and acceptable driving record is required, unless the successful applicant can provide a satisfactory alternate mode of transportation.
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 Department is an E-Verify employer.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated passion for supporting early learning environments in the face of difficult situations.
Demonstrated ability to navigate difficult conversations with angry or emotional individuals.
Experience and skill in building rapport.
Experience or training in objective observation and documentation; ability to collect information, document facts, open up dialog and dig into responses.
Experience or training in active listening and motivational interviewing.
Ability to analyze and use multiple perspectives and facts to arrive at a well-informed conclusion.
Highly organized with the ability to handle and maintain composure and professionalism in stressful situations.
Proficient in reading, understanding, interpreting, and clearly articulating and explaining policies, state statutes, and procedures.
Bilingual English/Spanish is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

The primary purpose of this position is to promote the health, safety, and well-being of children in child care facilities.
Staff conduct unannounced visits, assess regulatory complaint allegations against licensed facilities, allegations of possible unlawful care against unlicensed facilities, conduct tandem investigations with the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) on assessments having to do with abuse occurring in child cares, and in conjunction with the legal and compliance unit, take legal action against facilities.
Staff apply complex federal, state, and local statutes, codes, rules, and policies related to child care licensing.
In addition to investigating regulatory compliance, the Investigation Specialists provide technical assistance to providers and facility staff, to aid in compliance with regulations and provide consultation and resource information on state quality initiatives intended to improve child outcomes.
There is considerable contact with collateral agencies such as the ODHS (Child Welfare and Office of Training, Investigations, and Safety), law enforcement, and the public.
The position serves one or more counties.

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.
11 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 1 special day, monthly sick leave, and vacation accruals that increase every 5 years.
Potential federal loan forgiveness after 120 qualifying payments.
A diverse, welcoming workplace committed to equity and continuous improvement.

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