Posting Details
VISION: All New Mexico families and young children are thriving.
MISSION: Optimize the health, development, education, and well-being of babies, toddlers, and preschoolers through a family-driven, equitable, community-based system of high-quality prenatal and early childhood programs and services.
The Early Childhood Education and Care Department was established on July 1, 2020. The Department’s aim is to create a more cohesive, equitable, and effective early childhood system in New Mexico. That means coordinating a continuum of programs from prenatal to five and ensuring that families in every corner of the state can access the services they need.
Interviews will be conducted within two weeks of closing date.
Why does the job exist?
This position is aimed to support the Child Care Services Bureau (CCSB) and its Bureau Chief as the division continues to experience significant growth. This includes assisting with the expansion of child care which is now includes over 10,000 more eligible children, growth in the child care provider capacity, and CCSB personnel.
How does it get done?
This position manages the day-to-day operations of the Child Care Assistance Program and the Regulatory Oversight Unit within the Child Care Services Bureau (CCSB). The Child Care Assistance Program offers financial support to qualifying families, while the Regulatory Oversight Unit monitors licensed and registered providers to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. Key responsibilities include allocating resources, navigating competing priorities to improve client services, and establishing program goals and objectives. The role also guides strategic planning, implements policies, ensures regulatory compliance, and oversees research efforts. Additionally, it ensures that benefit authorizations adhere to the standards set by the Early Childhood Education and Care Department’s Improper Authorization Payment Unit.

• Guiding regional managers in executing the strategic plan developed with the Cabinet Secretary, ensuring Child Care Services align with established goals and objectives.
• Providing leadership and support to the entire CCSB team by ensuring access to essential resources, professional development, and tools for effective customer service.
• Ensuring sufficient staffing levels to meet the needs of external customer support.
• Addressing and resolving complaints and issues related to both the Regulatory Oversight Unit and the Child Care Assistance Program.
• Delivering ongoing training and support to enhance the performance of supervisory staff.
• Identifying and promoting professional development opportunities for team members.
• Applying data-driven strategies to improve service delivery for children and families, and to inform resource allocation and planning.
• Overseeing the accurate implementation of federal and state regulations, including the development and enforcement of policies and standardized procedures to ensure statewide consistency and program integrity.
• Ensuring program alignment with the Child Care Development Fund State Plan and the ECECD Strategic Plan.
• Encouraging staff input on process improvements and clearly communicating directives and updates from Bureau Leadership.
• Managing and resolving referrals, complaints, and concerns related to CCSB programs or personnel.
  Who are the customers?
  NM Children and Families and ECECD Staff.
  Ideal Candidate
  NM Children and Families and ECECD Staff.
  Minimum Qualification
  Master’s Degree in any field of study from an accredited college or university and eight (8) years of professional level experience with a strategic impact directly related to the purpose of the position defined by the agency at the time of recruitment. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling fourteen (14) years may substitute for the required education and experience. A hiring agency will designate a portion of the required experience to include management and/or specialized experience. Any required licensure, certification or registration shall be defined at the time of recruitment and will be in addition to the above requirements.
  Employment Requirements
  Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License. Pre-employment background investigation is required and is conditional pending results.
  Working Conditions
  Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Some sitting, standing, bending, and reaching may be required. Direct client interaction and some travel may be required.
  Supplemental Information
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  Agency Contact Information: Patricia Steward at (505) 841-4842 or by Email
  For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
  Bargaining Unit Position
  This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement