Child Care Licensing Specialist
About The Position
This position is within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS), responsible for ensuring the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and families. The Child Care Licensing Specialist performs licensing, monitoring, complaint investigations, and provides technical assistance and support to child care facilities and family child providers in Cumberland and York Counties. This role is critical for the regulatory oversight of child care programs, ensuring the health and safety of children receiving out-of-home care. The position involves professional services work under limited supervision, with significant travel and field activities, and some office-based administrative functions. A flexible work schedule beyond the typical 8-5, Monday-Friday standard work week may be required.
Requirements
- A Bachelor's Degree in Social Services or a Behavioral Science area -OR- a four year combination of education, training, and/or professional experience providing services to and working directly with children and/or families.
- Experience must demonstrate proficiency in public contact work, information gathering, analysis, documentation, and collaboration.
- Respond to the following performance areas in your cover letter: Describe the positions you have held in which you had minimal supervision.
- Respond to the following performance areas in your cover letter: Briefly summarize those aspects of your background that demonstrate you possess a high level of observational and assessment skills.
- Respond to the following performance areas in your cover letter: Briefly describe your experience in gathering information through observation and interviews and making a determination based on that information.
Responsibilities
- Explain program policies, guidelines, rules and regulations to potential applicants for child care licenses.
- Inspect residences and other places of business to ensure compliance with applicable rules.
- Inspect License-Exempt residences and other places of business to ensure compliance with Child Care Subsidy Rules.
- Assess individuals' personal characteristics, emotional stability, and social characteristics.
- Analyze and evaluate applicant and facility information.
- Advise applicants of rule violations, discuss possible corrective action, and explain appeal rights and procedures when applicable.
- Investigate and document complaint investigations.
- Assist a specialized team of Investigators in completing investigations of child abuse and neglect.
- Conduct informational meetings and/or training for child care providers and/or stakeholders.
- Collaborate with the public and professionals in the field of child care.
- Provide support and technical assistance to applicants and licensees throughout the licensing and renewal process.
- Participate in the appeals hearing process.
Benefits
- 13 paid holidays
- 12 days of sick leave
- 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually
- Health Insurance Coverage (State pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums)
- Health Insurance Premium Credit (Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%)
- Dental Insurance (State pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums)
- Retirement Plan (State contributes 14.11% of employee's pay towards MainePERS)
- Six weeks of fully paid parental leave for all employees welcoming a child
- Additional, unpaid leave may also be available under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
