Child Care Investigative Specialist - Eugene, Oregon
Job Description:
The Early Learning Division prides itself on supporting all of Oregon's young children and families to learn and thrive. When you consider a career with us, you will be joining a team who values equity, making a positive impact for children and families, dedication, integrity and collective wisdom to benefit Oregon children and families. We value diversity and support a positive and welcoming environment where all of our employees can thrive. If you are organized, detail oriented and enjoy working in a fast paced environment, then we want to hear from you!
We are hiring a permanent, full-time Investigative Specialist (Compliance Specialist 2) position in our Eugene office of the Early Learning Division. This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
What you will do!
Our Investigative Specialists promote the health, safety, and well-being of children in child care facilities through licensing. Staff conduct unannounced monitoring visits, assess complaint allegations against licensed facilities and allegations of possible illegal care against unlicensed facilities, conduct tandem investigations with Department of Human Services (DHS) on child protective services cases 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. Licensing Specialists, Special Investigators 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 DHS and law enforcement and the public.
Investigative Specialists serve one or more counties to ensure that Child Care licensing functions are carried out in conjunction with ELD equity policies and practices.
Commitment to Equity
In addition to the cultivation of equitable practices across all aspects of your position description. Learn and apply knowledge and skills to interrupt systemic oppression. Participate and engage in efforts to further Early Learning Division wide efforts to develop and implement the Equity Breakthrough Team work plans. Have knowledge of and apply tools, such as the Equity Lens, Culturally Responsive Community Engagement tool, etc., to all the work to ensure that the shared vision and mission of the Early Learning Division is clearly articulated in all the work produced.
Working Conditions
In addition to OCC field office and other community business offices, the person in this position must travel to child care facilities in rural and urban settings. This position may also require statewide travel on very short notice. The position requires extensive work outside the field office, traveling to child care sites.
This position may come into contact with individuals who may be angry or frustrated. Depending on geographic location, occasional overnight travel is required. The work is both indoors and outdoors when evaluating the premises of a facility. Field work presents potential hazards such as inclement weather and hostile animals. In addition, there may be unknown danger such as drugs, firearms, and confrontational individuals.
This position is a Monday-Friday, 8-5 (or a regular Monday-Friday 8 hour equivalent.) This position requires flexibility to the stated schedule when work demands occur at odd hours.
This job may require an individual to work outside a regular work schedule and frequently requires adjustments to break times.
Office environment requires daily use of computer or data systems and web based applications to perform daily functions and services including the time system, car reservations, and the OCC intranet site.
What we are looking for:
Candidates with at least four years' 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.
Candidates who are the most competitive will possess the following background, skills and experience:
- Knowledge and experience with child abuse or related investigations.
- Experience interpreting and applying laws, rules, and policies.
- Experience performing research to gather data and information.
- Strong customer service experience handling difficult and frustrated customers. Demonstrated ability to work with hostile, angry individuals and must have de-escalation skills
- Experience interviewing diverse types of people to gather factual information.
- Ability to multi-task, prioritize work assignments and respond to emergent situations. Perform with a high degree of accuracy with excellent attention to detail and good judgement.
- Experience working independently in a fieldwork setting.
- Self-driven individual who accomplishes work with minimal oversight.
- Strong written skills (spelling, grammar, and editing/proofreading).
- Proficient in Microsoft office (Word, Excel, Access).
- Preference may be given to candidates with the following:
- A degree in a field related to investigations
- Bilingual/bicultural candidates.
Our Amazing Benefits!
When you join the Oregon Department of Education, you are joining a fast-paced, creative environment with colleagues who are passionate about public service and impact the lives of children and families statewide.
- Excellent medical, vision and dental benefit package for the employee and qualified family members with very low monthly out-of-pocket cost
- Paid days off –
- 10 paid holidays per year
- 3 additional paid "Personal Business Days" per year
- 8 hours of sick leave accumulated every month
- Progressive vacation leave accrual, starting at 8 hours per month, with increases every 5 years
- In addition to standard medical benefits and employee leave, the state also provides additional optional benefits, such as basic life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and child care expenses.
If you have a desire to make a difference in the lives of Oregonians, apply today!
How to apply:
To apply for this position, follow the “Apply” link above and attach a resume and cover letter, and answer the additional supplemental questions. For external candidates, please make sure to attach all required documents in the section titled Resume/CV. Internal candidates attach your documents in the section titled Resume/Cover Letter. Failure to attach a cover letter and resume may result in disqualification of your application. Please contact ode.jobs@state.or.us if you have any questions on the application process.
Additional Information
- Please monitor your Workday account, as all communication will be sent to your Workday account. You must have a valid e-mail address to apply.
- Don’t attach extra documents. We will only look at documents that we ask for.
- Warning! The system will timeout after 20 minutes of inactivity. You must submit your application after you begin the process. You cannot save your progress and come back to it later.
- This recruitment announcement will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.
- This position is subject to both Child Protective Services and Criminal History checks, including FBI fingerprinting, and will be required to enroll in the Central Background Registry. Adverse background data may be grounds for immediate disqualification.
- Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference. For further information, please see the following website: Veterans Resources. You may also call the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs at 1-800-692-9666.
- We do not offer VISA sponsorships or transfers at this time. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States.
Helpful links and contact information:
Learn more about ODE
Help & Support webpage
Learn more about Oregon
For additional information you may contact us by e-mail at ode.jobs@state.or.us or call 503-947-5635.
***Current Internal State of Oregon Employees please use your Workday account – go to Career – Internal - Find jobs to apply! ***All others - To apply for this position, click on the "Apply" link above to fill out the online application and submit by the posted closing date and time.
Employees who are Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) participating members will have their base salary increased by 6.95% and pay a 6% employee contribution to PERS; the salary range noted above reflects base salary only.
The Department of Education is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer committed to a diverse workforce. The Department 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. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet every one of our qualifications listed. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of this position, please feel free to contact us to discuss your application.