Program Manager (ECECD #32512)

$32.84 - $52.54 Hourly

$68,302 - $109,283 Annually

This position is a Pay Band 80

Posting Details

Interviews will be conducted within two weeks of closing date.

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.

Why does the job exist?

This position exists to lead the development and implementation of the quality initiatives essential in ensuring access to high quality early learning and care for all children in New Mexico.

How does it get done?

This position involves broad collaboration with child care providers, state agencies, community partners, local early childhood coalitions, and colleagues across divisions within the Department to connect these stakeholders to ECECD projects, programs, and initiatives.

The role includes providing support to the early childhood workforce by connecting programs or individuals with the tools and resources needed to engage in a process of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) in their programs, benefiting both the children and families they serve.

Additionally, the position collaborates within the Quality Initiatives Bureau to develop, execute, monitor, and integrate new and existing scopes of work. This includes managing contracts and agreements with external partners to enhance quality in areas such as workforce development, professional development, scholarships, pay parity, and mentorship opportunities.

Responsibilities also include project management and planning, facilitating presentations, analyzing reports, and sharing data and insights with senior and executive leadership. Other duties related to supporting ECECD's work are also a part of this role.

Who are the customers?

Child care providers, community agency partners, early childhood coalitions, and ECECD.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for this position will be knowledgeable in early childhood systems of support, have some knowledge of project management, and have strong organization and time management skills. Bilingual candidate preferred, along with working with diverse populations.

Minimum Qualification

Bachelor's degree in Education, Public Administration or Business Administration and five (5) years of experience as a teacher and/or program administrator. Substitutions apply. See Substitution Table below.

Substitution Table

These combinations of education and experience qualify you for the position:
Education Experience Education Experience 1 High School Diploma or Equivalent AND 9 years of experience OR High School Diploma or Equivalent AND 9 years of experience 2 Associate's degree in the field(s) specified in the minimum qualification AND 7 years of experience Associate's degree or higher in any field AND 9 years of experience 3 Bachelor's degree in the field(s) specified in the minimum qualification AND 5 years of experience 4 Master's degree in the field(s) specified in the minimum qualification AND 3 years of experience 5 PhD degree in the field(s) specified in the minimum qualification AND 1 year of experience
• Education and years of experience must be related to the purpose of the position.

• If Minimum Qualification requires a specific number of "semester hours" in a field (e.g. 6 semester hours in Accounting), applicants MUST have those semester hours in order to meet the minimum qualifications. No substitutions apply for semester hours.

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: Deanna Balderrama (505) 690-4972. 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.