The Department of Early Learning (DEL) is responsible for offering programs and services that support healthy child development and school readiness for the approximately 90,000 children born in Washington each year. With a strong commitment to great service, we advance child safety and protection through licensing, regulation and education. We are dedicated to working with partners to build a world-class early learning system in which children and families have access to programs, supports and the resources they need.
 
The Quality Practice and Professional Growth/Subsidy Policy Unit at DEL is looking to fill a full-time Program Specialist 5 (Attendance Project) position in our Olympia office.  The majority of staff in our Olympia office enjoy sit/stand workstations, flexible work hours and for those who choose to participate we have an Infants at Work Program and Tuition Assistance Program.  Looking for work/life balance and an employer who is committed to your professional growth, DEL is the place. 
 
To learn more about our agency, please visit our website at: www.del.wa.gov.
 
 
The Opportunity:  
The QPPG team at DEL believes our greatest strength in impacting child outcomes is our workforce who supports families, providers and communities. Therefore, we lead the commitment to care, develop and retain our workforce so that our culture reflects our values and continuously improves.The work is growing and so is our agency. Join in on the ground floor and help build a model of excellence! 


The Opportunity:
The Program Specialist 5 (Attendance Project) directly communicates with and assists providers using electronic attendance systems, and electronic attendance system vendors, to support provider payment for subsidized child care. The position ensures provider attendance records submitted through those systems comply with Subsidy Program attendance record rules, particularly as related to provider billing, overpayment, and fraud issues. The position coordinates with DEL Subsidy Policy and Subsidy Quality Assurance Units, and DEL Licensing/Oversight Division, to ensure provider compliance with program and licensing rules and expectations, and to prevent fraud. The position works with DEL IT’s Help Desk for the System to ensure technical assistance and policy requirements align. This position works with child care subsidy programs to create/revise/update policies, and procedures and practice standards – both internally and for distribution externally to providers. The position provides high level advice and consultation to executive management, internal departments and outside organizations with varying issues, diverse and conflicting interests.
 
 
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree and four years of experience, or a Master’s degree and two years of experience, in Human Services, Early Childhood Education, Public Policy or a related field including planning, policy analysis, coordination and consultation with a variety of public and private agencies, organizations, and/or levels of government.
 
Specific Competencies

• Ability to work with little supervision and direction.
• Intellectual curiosity and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to apply an enterprise approach to problem solving.
• Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communications across diverse audiences on a range of complex and technical issues.
• Ability to work with independent researchers, including contract development and monitoring.
• Ability to locate, understand, and apply data and reports published by other entities that may lend themselves to assisting with assigned research projects.
• Demonstrated proficiency using MS Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet Explorer, and database query and modeling tools.
• Ability to understand and apply legal authority, such as state and federal rules and regulations, statutes, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Working knowledge of state government.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Bilingual
• Experience in early learning in Washington in the last five years
• Event/meeting planning and facilitation experience
• Experience as product owner for a significant IT project in the last five years

 Supplemental Information
 This position is covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) which contains a “union security” provision. This means that, as a condition of employment, you must either join the union and pay union dues or pay the union a representation or other fee within 30 days of the date you are put into pay status.
  
Application Procedure
To be considered for this vacancy, you must apply online via http://www.careers.wa.gov.  In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile in order to be considered for this position.
 
1.     A letter of interest clearly describing how you meet the QUALIFICATIONS listed.
2.     Your chronological resume/work history depicting work experience and/or education that support your letter of interest. 
3.     A list of at least 3 professional references including names, professional titles, and current phone numbers.
 
 READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION COMPLETELY:  

•  Carefully review your application for accuracy, spelling and grammar before submitting.
• You may not reapply for this posting for 30 days.
• The initial screening of applications will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the “work experience” and “education” sections of your application in www.careers.wa.gov.
• A resume will not substitute for completing the “work experience” section of the application.
• All information may be verified and documentation may be required.

For questions regarding this recruitment or assistance with the application process, please contact Dianne Dorsey at (360)725-4922 or dianne.dorsey@del.wa.gov.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.

The Washington State Department of Early Learning is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the recruiter at 360. 725.4922. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1.