Childcare Program Manager

The Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) is charged with transforming the lives of Seattle’s children, youth, and families by eliminating opportunity gaps and preparing students for kindergarten, improving academic achievement, and ensuring students graduate prepared for college and a career. DEEL strives to embed the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative into its education objectives and seeks staff that value the importance of working together as a government and community to eliminate racial disparities and achieve racial equity. Our core values of equity, results, stewardship, transparency, and collaboration guide our work, support our operations, and hold us accountable.

To support DEEL’s mission and vision for Seattle, we are looking for a Child Care Program Manager who will manage the ongoing program implementation of the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and the department’s other childcare investments and initiatives, as well as directly supervise and evaluate the performance of four Early Education Specialists and one Senior Early Education Specialist.

Here’s more about what you’ll be doing:

Providing support and leading the team:

• Setting goals for the work unit
• Reviewing and updating program policies and procedures
• Developing systems, processes, and work flows to achieve maximum productivity and ensure efficiency
• Resolving customer requests, such as exceptions to policy and program complaints
• Ensuring the Operations Unit is providing high-quality customer service
• Creating standard procedures for data management within the Child Information and Provider database and acting as the subject matter expert for the team
• Serving as the lead for the Emergency Child Care Initiative, should it be needed by the City
• Acting as a subject matter expert for the division on childcare business operations and licensing regulations

Overseeing childcare programs:

• Developing and implementing quality assurance processes and protocols, in particular through data visualization (i.e. Power BI or Tableau)
• Assisting with the evaluation of childcare programs
• Developing and monitoring childcare investment contracts with community-based partners
• Making recommendations on continuous improvement plans to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the City’s investment in early learning
• Working jointly with City managers and staff, funders, community-based agencies, public health and professional development partners, and stakeholders to coordinate and participate in continuous analysis of the program outcomes, program quality, and child outcomes
• Facilitating funding processes for community grants and managing contracts for childcare investments
• Create standard procedures for data management and act as a subject matter expert on the data system in partnership with IT
• Acting as the primary liaison with Seattle Public Schools (SPS) community partnerships to monitor the success and opportunities for improvement in childcare settings within schools, including supporting childcare provider partnerships with SPS

You will be most successful if you have demonstrated experience managing childcare, early childhood, and/or education focused programs. A commitment to listening, creating space for diverse perspectives, and the achievement of educational equity must be at the center of your professional practice. The ability to communicate at all levels tactfully and effectively will also contribute to your success. Specifically, you’ll be prepared to take on this role with a combination of the following:

Experience in:

• Continuous quality improvement and change management processes
• Working with marginalized communities
• Supervising individuals in direct service to the community
• Writing and monitoring contracts, grants, or other standards within a program
• Creating and implementing policy

Knowledge of:

• Childcare WACs, Early Achievers QRIS, or other regulations
• Childcare licensing and how a childcare business is run
• Government processes
• Effective professional development practices, with experience in supporting a high-functioning and professional team
• Race and social justice, especially in early learning, childcare, and/or Seattle communities

The ability to:

• Demonstrate excellent strategic planning skills and self-managing work and priorities
• Promote employee learning and development
• Act as an escalation point for elevated, complex, or out of the ordinary issues
• Work in diverse communities and conduct effective outreach based on authentic relationship development
• Apply culturally responsive practices for working with students and families impacted by systemic inequities in education, including youth from low socio-economic, immigrant, and/or emergent bilingual backgrounds

This position is classified as a Manager 1, Exempt and is exempt from the Civil Service System and FLSA (not eligible for overtime).

Salary: The full pay range for this discretionary pay position is $51.88 - $77.82 hourly. The salary range for this individual position has been identified as $64.59 - $68.09 hourly.

Hiring timeline: First round interviews for this position are tentatively scheduled for November 30^th and December 1^st and 2^nd. Second round interviews are tentatively scheduled for December 9^th and 10^th . All interviews will take place virtually using Microsoft Teams.

Accommodations: We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact Sandra Wong at [email protected] to request accommodation.

Schedule: This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees will be expected to be in-office three days a week. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and their supervisor.

This position will require the ability to travel frequently to meetings and trainings. The work associated with this position is expected to be a hybrid combination of telecommuting and onsite work and meetings, as directed by business needs.

Background check: Applicants must successfully pass a background check, which will be conducted in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be given a chance to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.

Benefits: The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package, including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits. Please select an option under the “Most Employee Benefits” heading.

Why work at the City? At the City of Seattle, public service is more than a job; it’s a chance to shape the future and make a meaningful difference in the lives of everyone who works, lives, or plays in our city. With 12,000 employees across 40+ departments and 1,100 job titles, we are united by a common purpose: to create a Seattle that is vibrant and welcoming for all. Whatever your role, you’ll help power a forward-looking city that leads by example — inclusive, innovative, equitable, and community-focused – while joining a diverse team committed to solving challenges and making a lasting impact together. Join us in building a Seattle where everyone thrives!

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Please submit your application at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/no later than 4:00pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. To be considered for this position, in addition to completing your application fully, please attach:

• A PDF of your current resume which illustrates your related skills, experience, and abilities
• Cover Letter explaining your interest in this opportunity with the Department of Education & Early Learning and capability to perform in this role

This position is open to all applicants who demonstrate alignment with the skills and experience described above. The Department of Education & Early Learning values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The Department of Education & Early Learning encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. If you have questions, please contact Sandra Wong at [email protected]