Primeros Pasos  ECEC Development  &  Public Relations Manager

Position: Development & Public Relations Manager

Type: Regular Full-Time Employee (This is a grant funded position)

Program: Primeros Pasos: Early Childhood Education & Care

Project Reports to: Capaces’ Executive Director with support from the Project Manager

Pay Range: $60,000 – $65,000 D.O.E. (depending on experience)

Work Setting: Hybrid, but will require some travel in Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties.

Hiring timeline: ASAP

*To apply submit a cover letter and resume (with references) to:  jaime@capacesleadership.org

Summary of Position:

Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) holds tremendous potential for children, families and societies. It lays the groundwork for the success of future generations. Unfortunately, there is an extreme gap in the availability of ECEC services for Latino and Indigena families in Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley. This project will initially focus on Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties. Approximately 7,000 preschool Latino and Indigena children (0-4-year-old) reside in this area. Early learning programs are available to serve only 1-in-8 infant and toddlers and 1-in-4 preschoolers.

The dearth of quality programs is due to the lack of available educators and insufficient early childhood care-education providers. Enhancements to state funding goals and governance policies are also necessary to more effectively serve this marginalized population. Increasing the number of qualified early childhood professionals is essential to address the growing demand for learning environments where children can thrive and meet their potential.

Academic institutions must implement culturally-sensitive programs with alternative pathways for early childhood educators to receive the professional development they need to support young learners and develop their careers. Additional resources are required to support home-based early learning providers with start-up funding, training, and administrative systems. These providers also require access to a culturally-responsive curriculum and teaching resources.

– Background –

In early 2022 a Steering Committee was established to assess and develop strategies for enhancing early learning and care for Latino and Indigena children and families in the Mid-Willamette Valley. The initiative is being implemented through leadership provided by a Consortium that includes: CAPACES Leadership Institute (CAPACES), Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC), Child, Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) – Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, Marion-Polk Early Learning Hub (ELH-MP), Yamhill Early Learning Hub (YCCO), and the Willamette Valley, and Wine Foundation (WVWF).

About The Opportunity:

We are seeking an experienced Development & Public Relations Manager that will play a crucial role in promoting and sustaining our services and initiatives. Under the direction of the Project Manager, the Development & Public Relations Manager will lead the creation and implementation of the project’s communication plan and strategies. They will build and maintain a positive reputation, engage and build a good relationship with our community, and ensure clear communication between our organization and all our stakeholders as we expand the ECEC support system to accommodate additional early learning and care providers via all media platforms available.

The Development & Public Relations Manager will also act as liaison between the program and its funders. They will be responsible for researching, preparing, submitting, and managing grant proposals/reports that support the program goals and meet funder guidelines and criteria. Some evenings and weekends will be required. The role is remote with travel as needed within the counties served. An ideal candidate would be passionate about serving the Latino community.

Essential Functions, Skills, and Knowledge:

Public Relations:

• Build, manage, and implement a cohesive communications plan for the program, including tracking progress qualitatively and quantitatively to achieve the program’s deliverables 
• Supervise and/or support project’s community outreach team to achieve the program deliverables 
• Support the creation of Capace’s annual communication strategies with Capaces’ leadership. Plans and strategies should align with all Primeros Pasos projects and campaigns.
• Create, manage, and distribute content and communications on digital, eblast, radio, newsletter, social media accounts and website. Includes one pagers, flyers, talking points, toolkits, invitations to special events, brochures and updating the website.
• Project a positive and streamlined Primeros Pasos image.
• Participate in the program’s Consortium and Steering committee meeting- lead Communications updates.
• Lead communications check-ins with program staff.
• Create, manage and map vital data for member contacts.
• Write press releases, coordinate interviews with staff, and local/national media outlets. 
• Support interpretation for members getting interviews by the media.
• Attend program events to capture photography or video for future or current marketing content.
• Participate in local and national Communications Strategy roundtables as needed.
• Be the spokesperson for the program as needed including making presentations to a variety of audiences that can help advance the project’s mission and goals .
• Manage and support building communications budgets.

Development:

• Lead the program’s grant proposal development and submission—preparing and organizing materials for proposals, and submitting and monitoring grant applications
• Maintain grant compliance and reporting, including outcome measurement and grant budgets—taking responsibility for meeting high standards of effectiveness, timeliness, and completeness

Minimum Qualifications:

• Commitment to the values, purpose, and vision of Capaces
• 2-3 years of development and public relations experience or similar role.
• Bilingual and Bicultural in English/Spanish.
• Prior experience working in an Early Childhood Education & Care field, particularly working with the Latino community (preferred).
• Experience managing and executing across different media platforms.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong technology skills in Microsoft suite, Google workspace, design software, and website development.
• Proficient in PR software and tools with knowledge of media hardware (video and audio production is a plus)
• Experience in web design and content production
• Creative and strategic thinking with a results-oriented mindset.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently but also effectively as a team

How to Apply: Submit a cover letter and resume (with references) to: jaime@capacesleadership.org

Deadline to Apply: Open until filled