Licensing Specialist (Compliance Specialist 2) Bilingual English/Spanish Required - Locations: Portland & Tualatin

Initial Posting Date:

08/15/2025

Application Deadline:

09/01/2025

Agency:

Department of Early Learning and Care

Salary Range:

$4,833 - $7,407

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Licensing Specialist (Compliance Specialist 2) Bilingual English/Spanish Required - Locations: Portland & Tualatin

Job Description:

Are you a mission-driven professional with a passion for public service and a commitment to ensuring the health and safety of children in child care settings? If you excel at working independently, enjoy solving complex problems, and are adept at interpreting and applying regulations within an administrative framework, you will find this position both meaningful and rewarding. If you are a natural educator, have a forward-thinking approach, and thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments, this role may be for you.

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care is excited to announce permanent openings for Bilingual English/Spanish Licensing Specialists (Compliance Specialist 2) in North Portland, East Portland, and Tualatin.

These positions requires that the successful applicant is fluent in Spanish and English. Please note, for performing bilingual services, you will receive an additional 5% differential in addition to your base salary.

These positions will work a hybrid schedule of working in the office and an alternate location (home). You will be expected to come into the office, as needed, to prepare for facility visits. Child Care facilities in North Portland are located throughout Multnomah, Clackamas, and Columbia counties. Child Care facilities in East Portland are located throughout Multnomah, Clackamas, Wasco, and Hood River counties. Child Care facilities in Tualatin are located throughout Multnomah, Clackamas, Columbia, Washington, Tillamook, and Clatsop counties.

Join Our Virtual Informational Session! Have questions about the role or application process? Join us for an Informational Session on Thursday, August 21st or Friday, August 22nd from 12:00PM – 12:45PM (PDT). Speak directly with the hiring manager, learn more about the position, and get your questions answered! You're welcome to join the informational session at any time, but we highly recommend joining us right at 12PM. This will help ensure the manager can share all the key details just once and leave plenty of time to answer everyone's questions. We look forward to connecting with you! Save the link below to use on the day of the session and feel free to share it with others who may be interested.

We are filling multiple Licensing Specialist positions across Oregon. The informational session for the Salem, Eugene, Medford and Redmond locations will be on Thursday, August 21st.

[Use this link to attend the meeting on the 21st]

The informational session for the Portland Metro and Tualatin locations will be on Friday, August 22nd. [Use this link to attend the meeting on the 22nd]

The informational session will be conducted using TEAMS. If you're new to TEAMS or joining from a mobile device, check out these instructions beforehand. We look forward to connecting with you!

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 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!

What you will do:

These positions promote the health, safety, and well-being of children in child care facilities by regulating and licensing various programs, including regulated subsidies, family child care, and center-based care. Responsibilities include conducting licensing visits, compliance reviews, and investigations of complaints or unlawful care.

Licensing Specialists apply complex federal, state, and local regulations while providing technical assistance and consultation to providers. They collaborate with agencies such as fire marshals, public health officials, and child care resource organizations. Serving one or more counties, they ensure licensing and review functions align with DELC equity policies and practices.

To view a complete job description, click here

Check out our “Day in the life of a Licensing Specialist” flyer

What we are looking for (minimum qualifications):

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. 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. To meet the Special Qualifications of this position, you must be fluent (read, speak, and write) in English and Spanish.

In addition, we are looking for applicants that have the following Desired Attributes (requested skills):

• Experience with interpreting, performing, and presenting statutes, laws, rules and policies to partners and community members with varying levels of understanding. 
• Experience implementing or assessing compliance with health and safety regulations through on-site inspections.
• Adept at managing simultaneous tasks, adjusting priorities in real-time, and addressing unexpected challenges as they arise.  
• Strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and consistent accuracy in work.
• Experience preparing and delivering professional presentations to diverse audiences.
• Self-directed and effective in remote, field-based roles.  
• Proficient in Microsoft office (Word, Excel, Access) and strong written communication skills (spelling, grammar, and editing/proofreading). 
• Experience or practical knowledge of how health and safety regulations influence early childhood education practices

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care 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.  Candidates of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well as bilingual/multicultural individuals, are encouraged to apply.

To Apply:

The screening of candidates will be based on a review of an attached resume (limit to two pages). While a cover letter is not required, it is highly encouraged. If you submit a cover letter, please tailor it to the position and address your experience with the desired attributes listed above. Candidates whose backgrounds most closely match the desired attributes and experience section as outlined in this announcement will be invited to interview. For helpful tips on putting together your application materials and interviewing, visit our Resources for Job Seekers page.

Additional Information:

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 a Child Protective Services and Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) check, including FBI fingerprinting, and will be required to enroll in the Central Background Registry. Both of these checks must be completed and approved prior to starting with the agency. Adverse background data will be grounds for immediate disqualification. This position will require travel to field offices and for licensing visits, therefore, a valid driver license and acceptable driving record is required, unless the successful applicant can provide a satisfactory alternate mode of transportation.

Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference. For further information, please see the following website: Veterans Resources.

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. The Department is an E-Verify employer.

The job posting closes at 11:59 PM (PDT) on the close date. After you submit your application, be sure to respond to the two questionnaires relating to public records requests and veterans’ preference immediately following your submittal. These questions are necessary to complete the application process.

External Applicants (non-state of Oregon employees): If you would like to retain a copy of this job posting, please print a copy before submitting your application. Once the job posting has closed, you will not be able to access the posting.

The employee in this position will be represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and will be subject to all terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement. Pay and benefits on all job listings may change without notice.

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Applicants with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process. For assistance regarding reasonable accommodation requests, please contact the agency recruitment team at DELC.Jobs@delc.oregon.gov

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer committed to a diverse workforce. 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 desired attributes listed. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of this position, please feel free to contact us to discuss your application.