State of Oregon
Strategic Policy & Projects Coordinator (Operations & Policy Analyst 4)
State of Oregon, Salem, Oregon, us, 97308
Initial Posting Date: 12/05/2025
Application Deadline: 12/18/2025
Agency: Department of Early Learning and Care
Salary Range: $7,353 – $10,827
Position Type: Employee
Position Title: Strategic Policy & Projects Coordinator (Operations & Policy Analyst 4)
Job Description The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care is excited to announce a permanent opening for a Strategic Policy & Projects Coordinator. We’re seeking a strategic leader to drive high-impact policy development, guide agency-wide initiatives, and steer complex, high-profile projects. In this role, you’ll partner across divisions, state agencies, and community organizations to advance collaborative, equitable, and trauma-informed solutions. If you’re ready to influence executive-level decision-making and help shape the agency’s future, we want to hear from you.
This position will work a hybrid schedule of working both in the office and at an alternate location (home). In office work is expected a few times per month. Join us for a virtual Informational Session on December 10, 2025, 12:00‑12:30 PM via TEAMS.
What We Offer Comprehensive Benefits: Low-cost medical, vision, and dental coverage for you and your family, plus optional benefits such as 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.
What You Will Do This position leads complex policy analysis, development, and implementation across Oregon’s early learning system by examining emerging issues, evaluating policies and administrative rules, advising leadership, and using data to inform strategies. It facilitates cross-program and statewide workgroups, integrates budget and operational considerations into policy decisions, and supports agency responses to urgent or politically sensitive issues. The role also manages high-profile strategic projects from initiation through completion, ensuring alignment, risk management, and effective change management in coordination with internal teams and partners. Additionally, it represents the agency in diverse policy forums; builds collaborative partnerships; develops strategic communications; supports legislative analysis and testimony; and centers equity by elevating community voices, particularly from underserved and marginalized groups.
What We Are Looking For (Minimum Qualifications)
A Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, Early Learning or related degree; and five years professional-level evaluative, analytical and planning work.
OR any combination of experience and education equivalent to eight years of professional-level evaluative, analytical and planning work.
Desired Attributes
Ability to analyze complex, cross-agency policy issues; see interdependencies across programs, legislation, funding, and operations; and recommend long-range strategies that strengthen the early learning system.
Expertise and experience building strong, trusting relationships with diverse partners (state agencies, culturally specific organizations, providers, legislators, advocacy groups).
Skilled at convening and facilitating groups to reach shared goals.
Demonstrated ability to lead large, high-profile initiatives with confidence, managing scope, risk, timelines, and partner engagement while driving change management strategies.
Skilled at translating complex policy, data, and strategy into clear, compelling messages for executive leadership, legislators, community partners, and the public, including in politically sensitive or high-pressure situations.
Consistently able to apply an equity and trauma-informed lens to policy development, project implementation, partnerships, and communication.
Actively elevates underserved and disproportionately impacted communities in shaping policy and strategy.
Experience with budgetary and operational policy development, analysis, and implementation.
Experience using data to identify trends to design and evaluate initiatives and strategies for effectiveness or change.
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.
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. The position is subject to both a Child Protective Services and Criminal Justice Information Systems check, including FBI fingerprinting, and will require enrollment in the Central Background Registry. Occasional travel to field offices and meetings is required; a valid driver’s license is required unless a satisfactory alternate mode of transportation is available. Eligible veterans will receive veterans’ preference. The position has no visa sponsorship. All applicants must complete the Form I‑9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. The agency is an E‑Verify employer. The job posting closes on 11:59 PM (PDT) on the close date.
Equal Opportunity Statement 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. All applicants and employees are entitled to equitable treatment and are encouraged to apply, even if they do not meet every one of our desired attributes. Applicants with a disability may request reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Job Description The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care is excited to announce a permanent opening for a Strategic Policy & Projects Coordinator. We’re seeking a strategic leader to drive high-impact policy development, guide agency-wide initiatives, and steer complex, high-profile projects. In this role, you’ll partner across divisions, state agencies, and community organizations to advance collaborative, equitable, and trauma-informed solutions. If you’re ready to influence executive-level decision-making and help shape the agency’s future, we want to hear from you.
This position will work a hybrid schedule of working both in the office and at an alternate location (home). In office work is expected a few times per month. Join us for a virtual Informational Session on December 10, 2025, 12:00‑12:30 PM via TEAMS.
What We Offer Comprehensive Benefits: Low-cost medical, vision, and dental coverage for you and your family, plus optional benefits such as 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.
What You Will Do This position leads complex policy analysis, development, and implementation across Oregon’s early learning system by examining emerging issues, evaluating policies and administrative rules, advising leadership, and using data to inform strategies. It facilitates cross-program and statewide workgroups, integrates budget and operational considerations into policy decisions, and supports agency responses to urgent or politically sensitive issues. The role also manages high-profile strategic projects from initiation through completion, ensuring alignment, risk management, and effective change management in coordination with internal teams and partners. Additionally, it represents the agency in diverse policy forums; builds collaborative partnerships; develops strategic communications; supports legislative analysis and testimony; and centers equity by elevating community voices, particularly from underserved and marginalized groups.
What We Are Looking For (Minimum Qualifications)
A Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, Early Learning or related degree; and five years professional-level evaluative, analytical and planning work.
OR any combination of experience and education equivalent to eight years of professional-level evaluative, analytical and planning work.
Desired Attributes
Ability to analyze complex, cross-agency policy issues; see interdependencies across programs, legislation, funding, and operations; and recommend long-range strategies that strengthen the early learning system.
Expertise and experience building strong, trusting relationships with diverse partners (state agencies, culturally specific organizations, providers, legislators, advocacy groups).
Skilled at convening and facilitating groups to reach shared goals.
Demonstrated ability to lead large, high-profile initiatives with confidence, managing scope, risk, timelines, and partner engagement while driving change management strategies.
Skilled at translating complex policy, data, and strategy into clear, compelling messages for executive leadership, legislators, community partners, and the public, including in politically sensitive or high-pressure situations.
Consistently able to apply an equity and trauma-informed lens to policy development, project implementation, partnerships, and communication.
Actively elevates underserved and disproportionately impacted communities in shaping policy and strategy.
Experience with budgetary and operational policy development, analysis, and implementation.
Experience using data to identify trends to design and evaluate initiatives and strategies for effectiveness or change.
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.
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. The position is subject to both a Child Protective Services and Criminal Justice Information Systems check, including FBI fingerprinting, and will require enrollment in the Central Background Registry. Occasional travel to field offices and meetings is required; a valid driver’s license is required unless a satisfactory alternate mode of transportation is available. Eligible veterans will receive veterans’ preference. The position has no visa sponsorship. All applicants must complete the Form I‑9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. The agency is an E‑Verify employer. The job posting closes on 11:59 PM (PDT) on the close date.
Equal Opportunity Statement 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. All applicants and employees are entitled to equitable treatment and are encouraged to apply, even if they do not meet every one of our desired attributes. Applicants with a disability may request reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process.
#J-18808-Ljbffr