Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity. Pay Range: $42.71 - $52.58 Hourly
Department: Department of County Human Services (DCHS)
Job Type: Regular Represented
Exemption Status: United States of America (Non-Exempt)
Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified): October 15, 2025
The Opportunity: Overview Multnomah County voters chose to invest in high-quality, culturally affirming, joyous early learning opportunities for all 3 and 4 year-old children. This investment will transform educational experiences for young children and their families and we want you to help make it a success!
As the
bilingual Spanish Preschool Partnerships Coordinator with the Preschool & Early Learning Division in the Department of County Human Services (DCHS), you will play a key role in supporting implementation and success of the Preschool for All (PFA) initiative. You will design and implement processes and systems that support Multnomah County preschool programs in becoming PFA sites with a specific focus on racial equity. You will develop and coordinate projects and draft and implement policies. You will gather and utilize input from providers of color, families, and culturally specific organizations to inform system improvements. You will act as a program representative for the Preschool & Early Learning Division with school districts, community partners, families, and preschool providers.
Your leadership, experience, and demonstrated commitment to racial justice will guide Preschool for All to build and sustain strong partnerships with preschool providers that are founded on a shared goal of high-quality, culturally affirming experiences for Black, Indigenous, and Families of Color.
Primary responsibilities include: - Oversee the PFA provider application and selection process. Act as a primary point person and support for prospective PFA providers and community organizations interested in partnering with PEL.
- Play lead role in the development, implementation and oversight of partnerships with preschool providers and policy development for a new and highly visible initiative. Utilize the framework from the Preschool for All community engagement process and continue to gather and utilize input from Black, Indigenous and all providers of color, culturally specific organizations and other system partners
- Act as primary point person within the division for key institutional partners.
- Act as the primary driver and designated spokesperson other than the supervisor for highly complex interdivisional and interagency strategic programs.
- Lead external partners to achieve preschool system goals. Key strategies will involve partners from many organizations and volunteers to support preschool providers. As initiative grows to a universal preschool program, collaborate with additional Division staff that will be added to increase program capacity.
- Act as subject matter expert around early childhood programs, including preschool best practices, quality measurements, and culturally relevant approaches within the preschool initiative.
- Support peers in planning with Intermediary Organizations along with Preschool Partnerships Supervisor and Budgets & Contracting Manager to co-design programs and contractual scope of work, support the work of Intermediary Organizations, and identify needed system changes
- Advise Preschool Partnerships Supervisor to shape decision-making and support the growth of high-quality, culturally uplifting, developmentally appropriate preschool experiences for children in Multnomah County
- Cultivate relationships with partners across multiple jurisdictions, disciplines and community groups to ensure strong communication and collaboration across the new preschool system
- Collaborate and communicate with the other members of the Preschool Division Policy & Partnerships team to create and implement effective cross-sector strategies
The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following competencies: - Promoting Equity : Deconstruct barriers to a racially just system. Cultivate work environments that value truth-telling, courage and vulnerability, space to think and reflect, community-mindedness, shared power, hope, and openness to difficult conversations.
- Leadership and Creativity : Demonstrate understanding of the culture, political nature and interpersonal relationships that drive success at the County. Lead by example and move work forward through personal actions and collaboration. Provide meaningful feedback regarding the nature, design and intended outcomes of work in relation to the needs and demands of the County and the communities it serves. Seek, advocate for, and implement improved methods, systems and approaches to meet changing organizational needs.
- Acting with Integrity : Act in a manner that is consistently truthful, reliable, trustworthy and transparent in words and actions.
- Navigating Change : You accept change as an inevitable part of work and adapt to plans as needed. You demonstrate self-awareness, effectively manage emotions under pressure, and readily offer support and encouragement to others.
- Learning Agility : Awareness of changing workplace trends, and possess the ability and desire to adapt your own skills and knowledge while encouraging others to do the same. Able to identify issues and educate self and others regarding paths to problem resolution.
Key Knowledge & Experience: - Experience in early childhood education settings and systems
- Advanced knowledge of early childhood systems, early care and education, and preschool quality
- Experience in public speaking and facilitating trainings and presentations
- Experience in planning and leading projects, programs, and/or initiatives
- Ability to research, compile, analyze, interpret, and prepare a variety of complex and comprehensive documents and reports
- Experience managing contractual relationships
- Knowledge and understanding of the issues surrounding equity, inclusion, implicit bias, institutional racism, and other forms of systemic oppression
- Knowledge and understanding of cultures, customs and social experiences of communities experiencing marginalization and barriers to opportunity, especially for Black and Indigenous child care providers and families, and Families and Providers of Color
- Knowledge and understanding of trauma-informed practices that actively resist retraumatization of individuals and communities
- Comfort with change
The eligible list created from this recruitment may be used to fill future regular, limited duration, full or part time, temporary, or on-call positions.
To Qualify We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page.
Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills: - Ability to promote a culture of respect, inclusiveness, and appreciation of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and values
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience
- Three (3) years of experience in early education (children ages 0-5 of age)
- Must pass a criminal background check
- This position will require regular travel to preschool sites. Must have a valid driver's license or ability to self transport throughout Multnomah County.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: - Ability to speak, read and write fluently in Spanish as well as English. Must have thorough knowledge of and/or extensive experience with the Latinx community, demonstrated by knowledge of the traditions, values and customs of the community being served.
- Advanced knowledge of best practices in early childhood education and preschool quality including instructional, provider technical support, and inclusion practices.
- Advanced knowledge of early childhood education settings, systems, and structures - specifically with early learning groups between 0 and 5 years of age.
- Advanced abilities to address personal biases.
- Advanced knowledge and skill in advancing racial justice, understanding how systems of oppression intersect, and applying an equity lens in policy and programming processes.
*Transferable Skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experiences that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position. Equity note: Research suggests that women and Black, Indigenous, and other persons of color are less likely than men and white job-seekers to apply for positions unless they are confident they meet 100% of the listed qualifications. We strongly encourage all interested individuals to apply, and allow us to evaluate the knowledge, skills and abilities that you demonstrate, using an intentional equity lens.
Screening and Evaluation Required Application Packet: Your completed application must include all three of the following items:
- A completed online application and/or complete resume including dates employed.
- A cover letter. Please attach a cover letter as a separate document and reesponsd to the following questions in your cover letter:
- Please describe how your background makes you a great candidate in this role described in the Overview and To Qualify sections of the job announcement.
- Preschool for All is a truly unique opportunity to build a new system for children and families in our community. Please include why working on this initiative appeals to you.
- Please describe any work experience and transferable skills that include a commitment to racial justice and equity.
Please note : Your application and/or resume and cover letter should demonstrate your work experience/skills and how it is related to those shown in the Overview and To Qualify sections of the job announcement. Please be thorough, as these materials may be scored and determine your eligibility for an interview. The quality of your response may determine if you are moved on to the next review. Please be clear and specific in the applicable sections of the online application/resume about how your background is relevant. Information stated in your cover letter must be consistent with your application and/or resume (when applicable).
Internal candidates: After you have submitted your application, please check your Workday inbox and complete the Veterans' Preference Questionnaire prior to the application deadline.
Veterans' Preference : Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans' preference for this recruitment. Review our veterans' preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply. The recruiter as listed on the job announcement must receive all required documentation by the closing date of the recruitment.
The Selection Process For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:
- Initial review of minimum qualifications
- An evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
- Consideration of top candidates through phone screen and/or interviews
- Background and reference checks
Note : Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.
Additional Information Type of Position : This hourly union-represented position is eligible for overtime pay.
Schedule : Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week
Location : 458 SE 185TH Avenue, Portland, OR 97233
Teleworking : At this time, this position can be designated as routine telework. This designation of telework may be subject to change at a future time. Currently, all employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the county cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.
Benefits : Multnomah County offers a generous benefits package. For more information about our benefit offerings, please visit:
Pay Equity: The county regularly reviews pay equity for our workforce. When setting pay we consider applicants' education, experience, seniority, training, and tenure in relation to other employees performing a similar level of work.
Serving the Public, Even During Disasters Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page.
In accordance with Oregon Law , Multnomah County is not collecting school attendance dates in the initial application process; please do not include these dates in your resume, cover letter and other application materials.
Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.
Veterans' Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans' preference. Review our veterans' preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.
Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.
Questions? Recruiter: Anne Blumenauer
Email: Phone: Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.
Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
Job Profile: 6088 - Program Specialist Senior
