Child Care Licensing Specialist

Are you passionate about the health, well-being and development of children and families in Connecticut?

Do you possess the desire, values and skills to help build a strong network of safe programs and nurturing adults who deeply value the importance of the first years of a child's life?

Are you organized, able to understand complex state regulations, and follow policies and procedures with fidelity?

If so, this opportunity might be for you!

The State of Connecticut, Office of Early Childhood (OEC) is recruiting for two (2) bilingual Child Care Licensing Specialists who are eager to be a part of a system that ensures children in our licensed programs are safe, healthy, learning and thriving.  In this regulatory role, the two successful candidates will join the agency's largest division to perform inspections, observations and reviews of child care programs and providers.

Our small, but mighty organization touches the lives of over 200,000 young children, parents and caregivers annually through our integrated focus on early care and education programs and safety supports, our home visiting programs, and other critical early childhood services.

The Division of Licensing within the OEC is responsible for implementing the child care and youth camp licensing programs in CT.  We are committed to promoting the health, safety and welfare of Connecticut's children.  More than 4,000 child care programs are licensed throughout the state.  We work to ensure that all licensed programs meet state statutes and regulations through activities such as processing applications, routinely monitoring licensed programs, investigating complaints and providing technical assistance.

Because of the enormity of our charge and the magnitude of funding that we disperse annually, the OEC is looking for passionate, data-driven professionals who are committed to building a cohesive, high-quality early childhood system.

Extensive in-state travel is required to conduct onsite regulatory inspections and interviews of potential and existing child care providers and to participate in trainings and state meetings.

If you are selected for an interview, it is at that time you will need to provide a resume, cover letter and documentation regarding on-the-job performance reviews for the current year and two past years.

Should you have questions pertaining to any phase of this recruitment, please contact the hiring agency's human resources office:  Ellen Morris, ellen.morris@ct.gov.

NOTE:  Updates to applicants' application status will only be provided through their registered JobAps account.

In the Office of Early Childhood, this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of technical duties involved in the licensing and regulation of child care programs and providers.

Conducts on-site regulatory inspections and interviews of potential and existing child care providers to determine initial and continuing regulatory compliance and health, safety and welfare of children; performs inspections of total facility (e.g. health and sanitation, food service, space, staffing, etc.); reviews required program documentation, observes program operations and conducts interviews with program staff, parents and other interested parties; reviews applications for licensure from prospective child care programs and providers; documents all pertinent information regarding regulatory compliance for formal and informal compliance conferences, negative actions against a licensee, hearings and/or court proceedings; investigates complaints of non-compliance with child care regulations, mistreatment of children and illegal practices by child care programs and providers; provides guidance and consultation regarding child care regulations and program practices to providers, parents and other interested parties; maintains case records and prepares reports; coordinates services with other state and local agencies; may appear before professional organizations and the public to educate on child care regulatory issues; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of and ability to interpret relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations, policies and procedures related to child care programs; knowledge of principles and techniques of operating child care programs; knowledge of various economic, emotional, medical, psychological and social factors influencing attitudes and behavior of individuals and families; knowledge of community resources available to individuals and families; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; ability to determine child care program and provider compliance with governing statutes and regulations; ability to obtain, organize, assess and present evidence related to program provider compliance with regulations; ability to maintain records and prepare reports; organizational ability.

Six (6) years of experience in the provision of professional child care services with involvement in program development and operational policy.

1. College education may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
   
2. A Master's Degree in child development, early childhood education, public health, social work or other related area my be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

Preference will be given to applicants with the following experience and training:

• Experience implementing, monitoring and enforcing child care statutes and regulations
• Experience creating written reports, narratives, and other summary documents
• Experience working independently and as part of a team
• Experience exercising effective interpersonal skills with internal and external contacts
• Experience following detailed policies and procedures
• Experience with Outlook and Word
• Read, write, and speak Spanish

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.