Professional Development Navigator

Compensation: $46554.63 plus excellent benefits including generous employer contributions to medical dental and vision premiums and participation in the Oregon PERS retirement system. A 5% language differential to those who are bilingual bi-literate in Spanish/English. Starting salary could be higher based on applicant qualifications experience and internal equity.

This position is solely grant funded and continued employment is contingent upon the availability of future grant funds. Funding is currently secured through June 2027.

We offer an opportunity for

Outreach academic advising and student navigation services to support early childhood care and education professionals in accessing persisting in and completing higher education and professional development opportunities across the five-county region (Gilliam Hood River Sherman Wasco and Wheeler Counties). This position serves as a liaison for prospective and current students supporting engagement in credit and non-credit coursework degree and certificate pathways workforce-aligned credentials and the Oregon Registry professional development system.

This role reports directly to Child Care Partners Director a department at Columbia Gorge Community College. The Navigator works collaboratively with community partners early learning employers and the community college to remove barriers to enrollment persistence and completion and to connect education to meaningful career and employment outcomes.

What you will do

The Professional Development Navigator duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Outreach relationship building & networking: Conduct outreach and recruitment to increase participation in higher education and professional development opportunities including engagement with high schools early learning programs employers and community partners across the diverse service region.

Academic advising & educational planning: Provide comprehensive academic advising and educational planning aligned with degree and certificate requirements transfer pathways and the Oregon Registry professional development system.

Student navigation & case management: Serve as a single point of contact for prospective and enrolled students by providing navigation and case management support.

Enrollment onboarding & transition support: Support student enrollment onboarding and transitions by assisting with admissions applications FAFSA or ORSAA completion scholarship applications placement processes orientation and proactive re-engagement of students who stop attending.

Career transfer and workforce pathway guidance: Guide students in career workforce and transfer pathways by connecting educational goals to regional labor market opportunities.

Data tracking & reporting: Track document and report student engagement enrollment resource utilization and outcomes to support retention completion and grant reporting requirements for the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC).

What you bring.

• Strong knowledge of the higher education systems and programs.
• Develop basic knowledge of the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credentialing system.
• Develop strong knowledge of the Oregon Registry Online (ORO) professional development system.
• Maintain and continue increasing their knowledge in the Early Childhood Field.
• Maintain knowledge of the Early Childhood State System in Oregon.
• Work respectfully with individuals of all cultures backgrounds perspectives and abilities.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to follow through to completion of assigned tasks.
• Ability to meet schedules and timelines.
• Ability to work without close supervision.

Minimum Requirements.

• Associates degree in Early Childhood Education Child Development and Family Studies or a related field or Oregon Registry Step 10 required. Bachelors degree preferred.
• Bilingual bi-literate in Spanish/English. Preferred.
• Oregon Registry Master Trainer preferred or willingness to work toward a Master Trainer Credential.
• Minimum of two years of experience working with computer software applications including Microsoft Word Excel Google Workspace and Canva.
• Minimum of two years of experience working with adults.
• Minimum of two years working in a community college or university system.
• Must have reliable transportation a drivers license and insurance.
• Ability to pass a background check.

Please see the job description for full details on the duties and requirements of this role. (link job description here ).

Position information

Studies have shown that women and people of color may be less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every one of the qualifications listed. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. We would encourage you to apply even if you dont meet every one of our qualifications listed. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications for this position please feel free to contact us to discuss your application.

Open until filled. An initial review of applications begins February 5 2026.

Starting salary is based on qualifications experience and internal equity.

Please include a resume and a letter of interest with your application materials.