For more than 25 years, First 5 Alameda County has been a pioneer for funding innovative programs and advocating for policies supporting children from birth to age 5, birthing people, parents, early care educators, and child care providers. Our investments in the early care and education system, help children learn and grow, support parents in their important role as caregivers, and promote healthy development and well-being.

Join a fast-paced, dynamic, equity-centered workplace in the largest public agency fully dedicated to strengthening the child care system in Alameda County. You can help us ensure that every child–regardless of race or socioeconomic background–gets a strong start in life.

Why work at First 5 Alameda County?

We believe that employees are the strongest asset of the organization. Our staff of close to 100 employees are diverse, talented, driven to excellence, and come from the communities we serve.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package

Medical, Dental, & Vision Coverage,
$1,500 credit per year to spend on benefits,
Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Employer Paid & Voluntary Life & AD&D Insurance
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Retirement Plans including the ACERA Pension Plan
Commuter Benefits
Employee Assistance Plan
Paid vacation, paid time off and sick time
17 paid holidays including the week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day

We invest in your success and growth

Professional development training opportunities
Financial assistance to paid for classes and training

We pride ourselves in being an equal opportunity employer

First 5 Alameda County does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion (including religious dress or grooming), creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions) or gender, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disabilities, color, marital status, registered domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, genetic information, medical condition, military or veteran status, exercise of rights under the Pregnancy Disability Leave Law or the California Family Rights Act, or any other basis protected by applicable law. This policy applies to all employees and applicants, and extends to all phases of employment, including hiring, training, promotion, discharge or layoff, rehiring, compensation and benefits.

We strive to be a model of diversity and inclusion

Our Board, leadership, staff and volunteers reflect the many faces, and cultures that proudly make up our world. We respect, value and celebrate the unique attributes, characteristics and perspectives that make each person who they are. We also believe that bringing diverse individuals together allows us to collectively and more effectively address the issues that face our communities. It is our aim, therefore, that our partners, strategies and investments reflect these core values. Read our equity statement. 

Equity Statement

As part of our continued work to center equity in our programming, investments, and advocacy, in 2022-23 we engaged in a participatory agencywide learning and development process to update our equity statement to encompass our current work, intentions for continuous learning and improvement, and commitment to accountability.

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News

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Jan 2, 2025

Annual Report highlights successes and partnerships

Please join us in celebrating our collective work accomplished over the past 25 years.   From the start, First 5 has stood as a powerful reflection of California voters’ values. The passage of Proposition 10 in 1998 was a transformative moment, enabling California to fund early childhood programming in each county, weaving together our societal commitment to a child’s…

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Jan 2, 2025

Staff participate in the development of the 2025 Policy Agenda

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Jan 2, 2025

Strengthening system partnerships through collaborative investments in diaper distribution program

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Are you delivering services, or are you delivering change?

Dr. Manuel Pastor, Professor of Sociology and American Studies & Ethnicity at the University of Southern California