Director of Early Learning & Community Health
$108,899.80 - $119,319.63 USD yearly
The Director of Early Learning and Community Health provides strategic and operational leadership for Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R), Every Child Belongs (ECB), Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and UMHS’s fiscal backbone role for the Eastern Oregon Health Equity Alliance (EOHEA) Regional Health Equity Coalition (RHEC). The Director supervises program managers and assigned staff, oversees budgets and contract performance, and strengthens coordination across early learning and community health services.
The Director serves as UMHS’s primary liaison and strategic partner to the Blue Mountain Early Learning Hub (BMELH), strengthening communication and collaboration with IMESD, Hub leadership, and community partners. The Director represents UMHS in regional planning, contributes strategic input, coordinates UMHS’s agreed-upon contributions, and supports shared early learning priorities, including the Upstream Initiative.
For EOHEA/RHEC, the Director coordinates UMHS’s responsibilities as fiscal backbone organization and employer of record, supporting coalition staff and administrative needs while respecting the coalition decision-making body’s authority over its priorities and agenda.
Essential Responsibilities:
Program Administration
• Provide leadership, supervision, coaching, and performance evaluation for program managers and assigned staff; establish clear expectations and support professional growth.
• Develop annual program work plans with managers and monitor service goals, staffing capacity, outcomes, deadlines, and corrective actions.
• Oversee program grant and contract performance, including service goals, program reporting, and deliverables. Work with program managers to address program concerns and partner with the Finance Director and Payroll and Fund Accounting Manager on fiscal compliance matters.
• Provide program priorities, staffing needs, and service projections to support budget development led by the Finance Director and Payroll and Fund Accounting Manager. Review financial reports with Finance and program managers, identify program-related spending concerns, and collaborate on budget adjustments and funding decisions.
• Maintain procedures, reporting calendars, and desk manuals that support consistent operations and succession planning.
• Contribute program information and service priorities for grant applications, renewals, and amendments. Partner with the Finance Director and Payroll and Fund Accounting Manager on fiscal forecasts, budget documentation, and financial audit preparation; coordinate program documentation for monitoring.
• Track concerns and complaints from families, staff, and partners; coordinate resolution with appropriate departments and keep relevant leadership informed.
• Keep the CEO informed of program progress, staffing needs, funding concerns, and issues requiring organizational action.
Child Care Resource and Referral
• Provide director-level oversight of CCR&R services across the region through the CCR&R Manager, including provider recruitment, training, coaching, technical assistance, and quality improvement.
• Support strategies that strengthen the early childhood workforce, expand access to child care, and reach rural and underserved communities.
• Ensure CCR&R actively participates in the agency’s Professional Development Committee and coordinates training opportunities with agency priorities.
• Ensure CCR&R collaboration with licensing staff, Early Learning Hubs, 211info, community partners, and ECB to support inclusive practices and appropriate referrals.
- Develop and maintain strong partnerships with local community college Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs to support UMHS’s Grow Your Own initiative, including education pathways, professional development, and opportunities for staff and childcare providers to advance their ECE credentials.
• Ensure participation in required DELC leadership meetings, continuous quality improvement, evaluations, and statewide initiatives.
• Monitor CCR&R program performance and contract deliverables with the CCR&R Manager. Review financial information provided by the Finance Director and Payroll and Fund Accounting Manager, share program needs and staffing priorities, and collaborate on spending concerns, cost allocations, and applicable match requirements. Finance leads fiscal accounting and reporting.
Every Child Belongs
• Provide director-level oversight of Every Child Belongs (ECB), including regional access to infant and early childhood mental health consultation and supports that prevent suspension and expulsion.
• Oversee regional coordination of ECB Connect support requests, including response plans, referral pathways, partner roles, and required memoranda of understanding.
• Support timely, equitable, culturally responsive, trauma-informed consultation, prioritizing programs and children at risk of exclusion and those with limited access to supports.
• Coordinate with appropriate agency leadership and partners to support consultant recruitment, qualifications, onboarding, professional development, reflective consultation, and workforce equity planning, without assuming direct staff supervision.
• Ensure coordination between ECB, CCR&R, early learning providers, and regional partners so programs receive consultation, coaching, technical assistance, and referrals suited to their needs.
• Represent UMHS at required ECB Regional Service Provider leadership meetings, statewide learning opportunities, and program improvement activities.
• Monitor implementation plans, consultation capacity, service data, quality improvement, quarterly reports, and contract deliverables; coordinate corrective actions as needed.
• Review ECB funding needs and budget-to-actual information with program staff, the Finance Director, and the Payroll and Fund Accounting Manager. Finance leads expenditure accounting, reimbursement claims, and fiscal reporting; the Director supports program-related decisions, grant performance, and resolution of concerns.
Women Infants and Children
• Provide administrative and program oversight of WIC in partnership with the WIC Manager, supporting nutrition education, breastfeeding services, food benefits, and health referrals.
• Monitor clinic access, staffing capacity, qualified personnel, caseload performance, and barriers to timely services across the service area.
• Ensure the WIC Manager implements the required Nutrition Services Plan and oversees eligibility, certification, nutrition-risk assessment, eWIC benefits, breastfeeding support, and referrals.
• Strengthen coordination with Head Start, home visiting, health partners, and community clinic sites to improve access for families.
• Collaborate with the WIC Manager, Finance Director, and Payroll and Fund Accounting Manager on WIC budget planning and spending reviews. Provide program priorities and address service-related funding concerns; Finance leads cost allocations, financial reporting, fiscal projections, and accounting for staff time studies.
• Oversee WIC program reporting, service documentation, confidentiality, records retention, program monitoring, and program corrective actions. Coordinate with Finance on fiscal reports, fiscal monitoring, and any related corrective actions.
• Ensure applicable Farm Direct Nutrition Program requirements and other approved WIC-funded activities are monitored.
Blue Mountain Early Learning Hub and Upstream
• Serve as UMHS’s primary liaison and strategic partner to the Blue Mountain Early Learning Hub (BMELH), maintaining consistent two-way communication with IMESD, Hub leadership, and regional partners.
• Represent UMHS in Hub leadership meetings, advisory groups, workgroups, and regional planning; provide strategic input reflecting the needs of children, families, and early learning providers.
• Coordinate communication between Hub leadership, UMHS leadership, and program managers to align shared priorities, identify service gaps, and strengthen regional collaboration.
• Lead and coordinate UMHS’s agreed-upon contributions to shared regional initiatives, including the Upstream Initiative, through cross-program planning, outreach, and professional development.
• Promote appropriate connections between BMELH, CCR&R, ECB, WIC, and other UMHS programs to strengthen referrals, resource sharing, and community access to services.
• Identify opportunities for joint projects and partnerships; monitor UMHS’s agreed-upon Hub activities, deliverables, timelines, and staff contributions.
• Provide regular updates to UMHS leadership on Hub activities, regional priorities, partnership opportunities, and emerging needs.
Regional Health Equity Coalition (RHEC) — Fiscal Backbone Responsibilities
- Separate from WIC, the Director oversees UMHS’s fiscal backbone and employer responsibilities for EOHEA/RHEC. Coalition staff take day-to-day program direction from priorities established by the coalition decision-making body. UMHS supports the work through employment, fiscal, and administrative services; UMHS does not direct the coalition’s priorities or decision-making.
• Serve as UMHS’s primary liaison to the coalition and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) for assigned fiscal sponsor responsibilities.
• Coordinate development and maintenance of the memorandum of understanding with the coalition, documenting contacts, responsibilities, communication processes, and reporting expectations; ensure submission and updates within required timelines.
• Coordinate recruitment and hiring with Human Resources and coalition representatives, including the coalition’s advisory participation and required approval, while maintaining UMHS’s responsibilities as employer of record.
• Provide onboarding, employment supervision, coaching, professional development, and performance support to the two coalition staff members; collaborate with coalition leadership to align work plans with coalition priorities.
• Participate in regular collaborative meetings with coalition staff and leadership; document agreements, responsibilities, and follow-up actions.
• Provide RHEC staffing and program information to the Finance Director and Payroll and Fund Accounting Manager, who lead fiscal backbone budget preparation, separate fund accounting, payments, and expenditure reporting. Collaborate with coalition leadership to ensure financial processes support approved priorities.
• Work with coalition staff, Finance, and the Payroll and Fund Accounting Manager to identify needed OHA approvals and notifications related to program activities or staffing. The appropriate fiscal or administrative lead coordinates financial approvals, subcontracts, subgrants, and payment requirements.
• Bring RHEC administrative or program-related expenditure concerns to the Finance Director and Payroll and Fund Accounting Manager for fiscal review and resolution. Coordinate with coalition leadership and OHA as appropriate, respecting the coalition’s decision-making authority and OHA’s role in determining grant scope.
• Support culturally and linguistically accessible employment, payment, and communication processes for coalition staff, members, and partners.
• Address staffing or administrative disagreements collaboratively with Human Resources, Finance, and coalition leadership while respecting coalition authority and UMHS’s employment obligations.
Program Leadership & Communication
• Attend and represent UMHS at state and local meetings, advisory groups, and workgroups related to assigned programs. Share relevant updates with program managers and leadership, contribute to collaborative planning, and follow through on agreed-upon actions.
• Participate in weekly Senior Leadership Team (SLT) meetings and contribute to the development, implementation, and review of UMHS’s five-year strategic plan. Align assigned program goals with agency priorities, monitor progress on assigned strategic objectives, and provide updates to the team.
• Build and maintain relationships with child care providers, health organizations, education partners, public agencies, tribal partners, and community organizations.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with funders through consistent communication, timely responses, and updates on program progress, funding needs, and grant expectations. Work with program managers and Finance to address concerns and support continued funding and program sustainability.
• Strengthen referrals and coordination across UMHS early learning, nutrition, health, and family support services.
• Use program data, family voice, provider feedback, and partner input to identify service gaps and guide improvements.
• Promote culturally responsive services that reflect community languages, strengths, lived experience, and needs.
• Prepare and present program updates to executive leadership, the Board, funders, and partners as assigned; support funding applications and program sustainability planning.
Workforce Development & Professional Development
• Participate in UMHS’s Grow Your Own program by helping identify staff development opportunities, supporting mentorship and career pathways, and coordinating with agency leadership to prepare employees for future roles within the organization.
• Collaborate with Human Resources, the Professional Development Manager, and the Senior Leadership Team to develop, implement, and review an agency-wide training plan that addresses staff development needs, program requirements, and UMHS’s strategic priorities.
• Provide overall guidance and oversight of deliverables and outcomes while delegating logistical responsibilities to appropriate staff and departments.
• Coach staff through clear communication, documentation, feedback, and performance assessments that support productivity, accountability, and professional growth.
• Collaborate with Human Resources, professional development staff, and other Directors to align recruitment, training, and evaluations with the competencies needed for success.
• Ensure staff understand program policies and procedures and receive timely, practical training; support independent decision-making within assigned responsibilities.
General Staff Responsibilities:
• Attend and actively participate in applicable state-level leadership meetings, advisory groups, and program-specific meetings for assigned programs; represent UMHS, share relevant updates, and support alignment with state priorities and requirements.
• Participate in staff meetings, conferences, training sessions and workshops as assigned
• Demonstrate familiarity with employment policies, performance standards, work plan and objectives of Agency
• Maintain congenial and respectful relations with staff, children, families and community
• Keep current and accurate records and file reports on time
• Maintain confidentiality in regards to staff and family information
• Maintain objectives and professional standards
• Improve self‐skills and education
• Fulfill role as mandated reporter as stated in Child Abuse and Neglect Policy
• Be present at work in order to provide consistency of services
• Be a contributory team member in a positive/productive manner
• Demonstrate commitment to mission, values, and policies in the performance of daily duties
• And or any other duties deemed necessary by your supervisor
Education Requirements:
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Public Health, Community Health, Nutrition, Social Work, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, or a closely related field.
Experience and Skills Requirements:
• A minimum of five years of professional leadership, management, and supervisory experience in early learning, community health, or family and community services, including staff supervision, grant and budget oversight, and community partnerships.
• Preferred experience in management or administration, including balancing regulatory requirements with budget constraints while responding to community needs.
• Strong knowledge of theories and practices of Early Childhood Education/Development and Family/Social Services.
• Ability to build positive working relationships, collaborate with others, and lead teams toward shared goals.
• Preferred experience working with rural communities.
• Familiar with data analytics and systems used for measuring performance.
• Experience in design and delivery of training.
• Preferred experience in ensuring grant/contract performance standards are met.
• Demonstrates the necessary attitudes, knowledge and skills to deliver culturally competent services and work effectively in multi‐cultural situations with proven commitment to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce.
• Ability to review program financial information, identify funding needs, and collaborate with the Finance Director, Payroll and Fund Accounting Manager, and program managers on budgets and spending decisions.
• Ability to work within the mission, goals and service objectives UMHS while honoring the local context of the communities in our broader region.
• Ability to coordinate and/or conduct training sessions
• Adequate means of transportation.
• Ability to establish relationship of trust and respect with staff, families, children and community.
• Experiencing in submission of successful grants and contracts.
• Desire to work with low‐income children and their families
• Multilingual or Multi cultural experience (preferred)
• Community service experience (preferred)
Physical Requirements:
• The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:
• Sit for long periods of time with daily use of computer screen;
• Do tasks involving repetitive arm and hand movements, such as heavy word processing/keyboarding, using various office tools to collate, punch, cut, or stamp paper and other repetitive or high‐volume tasks such as bulk mailings, filing projects, etc.;
• Occasional filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bending as necessary;
• Occasionally required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms;
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Drive a private or Agency vehicle; must possess a valid driver's license and personal automobile or provide a plan that will allow fulfillment of position requirements. (A DMV Record check will be conducted prior to hire)
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work Environment/Conditions:
• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
• Job tasks are performed in close physical proximity to other people
Safety:
• Apply safe practices in the performance of duties
• Reporting of unsafe or hazardous working conditions and/or any injury immediately
• Complying with Agency safety standards
• Participate in emergency drills
• Promote a culture of safe environments in the workplace
Agency‐Wide Requirements:
• Current enrollment in the Child Care Division’s Central Background Registry
• Current physical examination, drug screen, and TB screen documentation prior to hire
• Ability to drive a private or Agency vehicle; must possess a valid driver's license and personal automobile or provide a plan that will allow fulfillment of position requirements. A DMV Record check will be conducted prior to hire.
• Desire to work with low‐income children and their families
• Communicate effectively with staff, families, children, and the public using the telephone and in face‐to‐ face, one‐to‐one, and in group settings
• Fluent in English both verbally and written
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
Umatilla-Morrow Head Start, Inc. is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals in all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, job assignments, promotions, career advancement opportunities, working conditions, scheduling, disciplinary action, termination of employment, compensation, and access to benefits and training. We recruit, hire, and promote into all job levels the most qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics.