Director, Bureau of Early Learning Policy and Professional Development

THE POSITION

The Office of Child Development & Early Learning (OCDEL) is seeking an experienced, innovative candidate willing to join Pennsylvania’s leadership team in Harrisburg, PA. As a Commonwealth office, OCDEL uniquely oversees the majority of child serving programs and initiatives from childbirth through kindergarten entry. In this innovative office, the Director of the Bureau of Early Learning Policy and Professional Development develops and implements program policy, regulations, and practice to support Pennsylvania’s early learning systems. OCDEL’s core leadership team, operating under the Deputy Secretary, consists of five bureaus. As an office, this team supports the implementation of more than $2 billion in programming and supports.

If you have the experience and leadership skills, apply today to join our dynamic and dedicated team!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This is a unique position in the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) that integrates the work and funding of the Department of Human Services (DHS) early childhood programs with the Department of Education’s (PDE) pre-kindergarten and standards aligned systems (SAS) initiatives to create a unified approach for early learning in Pennsylvania. The Director of Early Learning Policy and Professional Development is responsible for improving and coordinating Pennsylvania’s early childhood education programs across departments. 

The director implements and manages programs that further professional development and educational attainment of all early learning teachers to support child development that fosters school readiness and success in life. Additionally, the director is tasked with developing and implementing policy and practice to expand Pennsylvania’s early learning system’s capacity to equitably serve greater numbers of children in high-quality Early Care and Education settings.

This position requires administrative leadership skills in developing, planning, directing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating systems, services and programs across bureaus and departments to guarantee collaboration among families, early learning providers, and other state and national stakeholders. Supervision is exercised over professional and support staff engaged in the improvement of the statewide program and ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information: 

• Full-time employment.
• Work hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with 60-minute lunch.
• Must be willing to travel. As necessary, this includes overnight and out of state travel for regional, state and federal meetings. Travel related expenses will be paid.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time. You are required in the office 3 days per week. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection. If you are unable to telework, you will report to the office in Harrisburg. It is possible during the training period, more frequent days in the office will be required. 
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• Based on Management Directive 530.22, this position has been determined to be a major nontenured policymaking or advisory position and is therefore deemed to be excluded from coverage under the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation statute. Accordingly, the incumbent in this position will not be subject to an Unemployment Compensation Tax deduction and will not be eligible to receive unemployment compensation benefits when separated. 
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Six years of professional human services or social services program development and evaluation experience, including three years of supervisory experience, and a bachelor’s degree; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training which includes three years of supervisory experience in human services or social services program development and evaluation.

Additional Requirement: 

• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Preferred Qualifications (not required):

• At least 3 years of management experience.
• Experience with childcare, childcare subsidy or Quality Rating and Improvement System.
• Experience with public speaking, presentations, and stakeholder engagement. 

How to Apply: 

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. 
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position. 

Veterans: 

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans’ Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): 

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
 
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.