Portland, Ore. (Sept. 17, 2025) — Multnomah County has officially launched a competitive search for a new director for its Preschool & Early Learning Division (PEL).
The County is seeking a bold and strategic leader to guide the continued expansion of its voter-approved Preschool for All (PFA) program, a landmark initiative providing high-quality, culturally responsive, and joyous early learning opportunities for all 3- and 4-year-old children in the county.
Preschool for All is an economic engine for Multnomah County. The program gives working families financial relief while strengthening the region’s early learning ecosystem by investing in providers, facilities, and the workforce.
The director will oversee the ambitious growth of the program, which has expanded by more than 70% in the past year. It is projected to serve over 11,000 children annually by 2030—the number needed to reach universal preschool. The role involves leading a multicultural workforce and collaborating with a diverse network of community partners, parents, preschool providers, educators and state and local government leaders.
“Preschool for All needs strong leadership to reach its goal of providing seats for every preschooler in Multnomah County,” said Chief Operating Officer Christopher Neal. “We will not stop until we find a leader with the drive, expertise and heart to help us continue growing the universal program this community demands and deserves.”
The new director will be a visible and inspiring early learning leader, providing the strategy, project management and community-building needed to guide the program's next phase. This includes building on the program’s current path to universal access, overseeing the division’s $163M operating budget, and guiding the expansion of Multnomah County’s early childhood workforce and infrastructure.
A key focus of the role is building strong partnerships with community stakeholders, providers, and families, particularly those from Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color. This work will build on a strong record of success: 65% of currently enrolled children identify as BIPOC, and over 30% of the program's seats were newly created to meet community needs.
Interested candidates are required to submit an online application, resume, and a cover letter. The full job description and application materials are available on the Multnomah County jobs website. The position will remain open until filled, with a first review by Oct. 6, 2025.
About Preschool for All: Approved by over 64% of voters, Preschool for All is a Multnomah County initiative dedicated to creating a tuition-free, high-quality, and culturally responsive preschool system for all interested families. By investing in the early learning workforce, facilities, and partnerships with a diverse mix of community-based providers, PFA is building a system that centers the needs of children and families and aims to offer universal access by 2030.
Universal preschool has been shown to be a powerful economic driver. Economists estimate that the rate of return for funding high-quality preschool ranges between $7 and $10 for every dollar invested. The program creates hundreds of jobs, helping local businesses attract workers by providing free child care in the community, and directing millions of dollars to local preschool providers.
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