Program Manager (SC - Early Childhood and Family Services)

City of Oakland•Oakland, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city’s historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees. The City of Oakland is currently recruiting to fill 1 (one) Program Manager (Selective Certification in Early Childhood & Family Services) in the Early Childhood & Family Services Division, within the Oakland Human Services Department. The Early Childhood & Family Services Division in the Oakland Human Services Department supports Oakland’s children and their families by operating and overseeing early learning and family support programs, including Head Start, Early Head Start, and state-licensed early childhood services. Our work is grounded in safe, nurturing, and high-quality learning environments, strong health, and developmental support. Key initiatives and goals this role will help advance: Protect and strengthen Head Start and state funded services: Maintain strong compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and Title 22/Title 5 requirements to keep classrooms open, safe, and fully staffed. Expand services responsibly: Help scale programs as new funding supports growth, while ensuring quality and audit-ready stewardship of public funds. Improve coordinated service delivery: Strengthen alignment across education, health, and family services so children and families receive integrated supports. Build a strong frontline workforce: Support training, professional development, and the systems staff need to deliver consistent, high-quality services. If you are motivated by public service, want to translate policy into day-to-day practice, and care deeply about equitable outcomes for children and families, this role offers the chance to have a direct impact on the communities in Oakland. We are looking for someone who: Has strong critical thinking and decision-making skills. Someone who can analytically and logically evaluate information, propositions, and claims. Manages organizational complexity. Has demonstrated the ability to maneuver through complex political situations and functions within the organization. Has the ability to navigate legal regulation and can understand, interpret, and ensure compliance with laws and regulations. Is action & results focused. We are looking for someone who has a track record of initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment. Demonstrates adaptability. Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood, developmental therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, child and family psychology, social work, public health, nutrition, or education.
Five (5) years of experience performing progressively responsible and complex program administration duties for an early childhood program in the areas of compliance and licensing, health and safety, enrollment and eligibility, education, or professional development and training, including two (2) years of supervisory experience.
Experience must include program development, administration, evaluation, and compliance.
Individuals who are appointed to this position will be required to maintain a valid California Driver’s License throughout the tenure of employment OR demonstrate the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as required in the performance of duties.
Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment.

Nice To Haves

A master's degree in one of the above fields is desirable.
Previous experience with grant proposals and applications and securing funding sources for programs is highly desirable.
Deep early childhood and Head Start program expertise (HSPPS, Title 5/22, licensing and compliance).
Strong grant and funding experience.
Proven supervision and staff development skills.
Proven ability to manage budgets, contracts, audits, and cross-agency partnerships.
Passion for Oakland families and children, education, and supporting staff.
Some positions may require bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin.

Responsibilities

Ensuring that Oakland's early childhood programs, especially Head Start, Early Head Start, and state-licensed services, are operating safely, legally, and delivering high-quality services.
Translating policy into practice by: keeping classrooms open and staffed safeguarding children through robust health-and-safety systems meeting HSPPS and Title 22 and 5 requirements stewarding public funds with clean audits and timely reports.
Ensuring frontline staff have the tools, training, and facilities to provide families and children with full, culturally responsive services.
Ensuring the delivery of outcomes for children and families.
Protecting the City's licenses and grants.
Managing stakeholder relationships and alignment.
Manage one or more programs in a department; perform short and long range planning and goal setting.
Direct and participate in the development and interpretation of policies and procedures for programmatic operations, including grant administration.
Manage program development and administration, program evaluation and compliance, funding sources including grants, and grant proposals and applications; may conduct site visits.
Participate in the development and administration of the annual budget for the program(s); analyze budget and revenue estimates for compliance with program goals and the City’s budget policies.
Oversee personnel and fiscal activities and other administrative functions in support of program operations.
Review and analyze complex reports; review and provide feedback on proposals and applications.
Direct, supervise, and evaluate assigned staff; provide staff training and development; complete performance appraisals; oversee the selection of new employees.
Provide staff assistance to advisory bodies, committees, and commissions; facilitate meetings of community organizations, district boards, and other groups relating to the development and implementation of programs.
Prepare and direct the preparation of City Council agenda materials and staff reports.
Make public presentations relating to assigned programs; prepare and review written materials for public distribution.
Negotiate and administer contracts with vendors, service providers, and funding agencies.
Coordinate the use, implementation, and maintenance of software applications and database systems.
Direct record maintenance systems.
Direct and participate in public information projects; respond to Public Records Requests.

Benefits

37.5-hour work weeks
15 paid holidays
Vacation: 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
Retirement: CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages.
The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security
Health: The City of Oakland pays the full cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care, and other HMO and PPO plans
Dental: Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
Vision: VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
Sick leave: Employees accrue 12 days per year
Deferred Compensation: 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.