Investigations Specialist (Compliance Specialist 2)

State of Oregon•Portland, OR

16h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care is excited to announce a permanent opening for a Child Care Investigations Specialist (Compliance Specialist 2). You will partner with families, child care providers, and agencies like the Department of Human Services (DHS) 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 Multnomah, Clackamas, 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, child care providers 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.
College-level coursework may substitute for experience on the basis of 45-quarter units per year, up to a maximum of three years.

Nice To Haves

Ability to professionally and effectively communicate, orally and in writing, with a variety of people answering questions and explaining rules and policies.
Experience applying regulatory standards, and best practices related to program operations and health or safety requirements.
Experience working independently in a fieldwork setting.
Experience with interpreting, performing, and presenting statutes, laws, rules and policies to partners and community members with varying levels of understanding.
Strong relationship building, de-escalation skills, and customer service experience, often handling difficult situations and frustrated customers.
Ability to multi-task, prioritize work assignments and respond to emergent situations.
Perform with a high degree of accuracy, excellent attention to detail and use good judgement.
Ability to analyze and use multiple perspectives and facts to arrive at a well-informed conclusion.
Proficient in Microsoft office (Word, Excel, Access) and strong written communication skills (spelling, grammar, and editing/proofreading).

Responsibilities

Promote the health, safety, and well-being of children in child care facilities.
Conduct unannounced and announced visits.
Assess regulatory complaint allegations against licensed facilities.
Assess allegations of possible illegal 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.
In conjunction with the legal and compliance unit, take legal action against facilities.
Apply complex federal, state, and local statutes, codes, rules, and policies related to child care licensing.
Provide technical assistance to providers and facility staff to aid in compliance with regulations.
Provide consultation and resource information on state quality initiatives intended to improve child outcomes.
Ensure that child care licensing functions are carried out in conjunction with agency equity policies and practices.