Early Learning Access Coordinator

Full Job Description

Imagine a city where every student, regardless of language and cultural differences, receives a quality education and feels safe and included.

The Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) is charged with improving the lives of Seattle families by helping children enter kindergarten prepared to succeed, providing support so students achieve academically, reducing the achievement gap, and making sure students graduate from high school prepared for college or career.

As part of this mission, we have an opportunity for an Early Learning Access Coordinator to support DEEL’s Early Learning Unit by connecting with families, childcare providers, and other community partners to discuss program eligibility, assist with the application process, and provide referrals to other programs when needed.

DEEL offers several programs to the community.

You will be responsible for differentiating requirements for each program to help families, childcare providers, and other community partners navigate early learning options for child(ren) and increase participation in DEEL early learning programs.

Outreach for programs will put you in the community, engaging on the phone, and via email.

You will work with families from many backgrounds and will need to be familiar with, and demonstrate comfort with, issues such as race and social justice, poverty, equitable access, and gatekeeping. You will represent DEEL as you partner closely with our childcare providers, representatives of social service agencies, and employees of other City departments. Identifying process improvements for the family and provider experience is a significant part of this position that includes building and maintaining relationships with families and community partners and monitoring data to identify and assist when families have difficulty completing the application or using their subsidy.

Our department 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.

Requirements

Top 3 Priorities:

1. Increasing access and enrollment for eligible families in the Child Care Assistance Program and other DEEL early learning programs.
2. Increasing family and community awareness of accurate DEEL program information by developing and maintaining key internal and external partnerships.
3. Identifying and implementing process improvements and providing direct assistance with family and provider experience to ensure eligible families can start childcare when they need to.

Major Projects:

• Operationalizing new customer service strategies and collaborative outreach approaches to improve program operations and outcomes.
• Assisting with family and provider-centered communication, information gathering and analysis to support families’ experiences with DEEL early learning programs.

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

• Interviewing clients, explaining program guidelines and eligibility requirements, determining eligibility, and assisting with access to early learning programs.
• Collaborating with communications team to conduct outreach activities, which may include presenting information to community groups and governmental agencies coordinating outreach strategies, updating and maintaining program materials, and communicating program changes.
• Identifying gaps in community understanding of DEEL programs to initiate collaborative solutions that improve access.
• Maintaining referral processes with other subsidy programs to improve seamless family access to child care assistance programs.
• Assessing families’ child care needs and identifying access barriers to finding or using child care.
• Providing navigation assistance to families eligible for DEEL programs who need help learning about child care options and/or finding child care programs that meet their needs.
• Preparing correspondence, including recommendations to management on behalf of clients requesting "Exception to Policy".
• Training and providing technical assistance to child care providers and community partners to support families’ enrollment into DEEL programs.
• Assessing a family’s need for additional supports and facilitating application to appropriate benefit programs and social services.
• Utilizing a database to manage information and maintain data integrity.
• Performing other related duties as needed.

You will be prepared to take on this role:

If you have:

• Extensive experience with childcare subsidy administration and early learning options for children 0-12 years old.
• Experience in providing family support or case management services to families with children for at least one year.
• Familiarity with doing program outreach and engaging the community, especially in public spaces and as an organizational representative.

If you are:

• Passionate about service and relationships with sometimes high-need clients.
• Humble and ready to collaborate, even if the answer wasn't your idea.
• Team-centric, enjoying working with teammates as well as producing strong independent work.
• Fiercely detail-oriented and organized in your work.
• Comfortable with technology and tapping into its potential to help provide better service.

Qualifications

In addition to the ability to perform the tasks described above, you will need to possess the below required qualifications (or a combination of education, training or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class):

• Requires three years of experience in human services administration, service delivery, community organizing, contract administration, or related experience.

OR

• Requires two years of experience in human services administration, service delivery, community organizing, contract administration, or related experience
• Associate degree in Social Science, Human Service, Business, or Public Administration.

OR

• Requires one year of experience in human services administration, service delivery, community organizing, contract administration, or related experience
• Baccalaureate degree in Social Science, Human Service, Business, or Public Administration.

Additional Information

This position is a civil service position that is eligible for overtime and is classified as Human Services Coordinator and is governed by a collective bargaining agreement between the City and the union, PROTEC17 - Professionals Unit.

Pay Range: The full pay range for this step-progression position is $42.17 - $49.08 per hour. New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $42.17 hourly. Current City employees starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions.

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/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Hiring Timeline: First round interviews for this position are tentatively scheduled for the week of April 6, 2026 and second round interviews are scheduled for the week of April 20, 2026. This position may begin as early as May 6, 2026 or later during May, pending candidate availability.

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 sandra.wong@seatle.gov to request accommodation.

Language Premium: Individuals selected to fill this position may be eligible to receive Language Premium Pay (SMC 4.20.360), which provides a $200.00 monthly stipend to qualified bilingual employees who are properly evaluated and assigned to provide direct communication in-language, interpretation, or translation services to the public on behalf of the City of Seattle.

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. Some evening and weekend work is required for various community outreach events.

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.

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!

Applications: Applications will be accepted for this position until 4:00pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. To be considered for this position, in addition to completing your application fully, please attach:

• A PDF of your current resume
• Cover Letter

We encourage you to review the City of Seattle’s Application and Interviewing Tips Guide, which may be used as a resource as you prepare to apply and interview for positions with the City of Seattle.

If you have questions, please contact Sandra Wong at sandra.wong@seattle.gov.