Child Care Licensing Specialist

State of Maine • Augusta, ME

2d • $22 - $30 • Hybrid

About The Position

As a Child Care Licensing Specialist, you will be working in Children’s Licensing and Investigation Services within the Office of Child and Family Services, and will perform the functions of licensing, monitoring, conducting complaint investigations, and providing technical assistance and support to childcare facilities and family child providers in York County. This is a critical vacancy as the regulatory oversight of childcare programs ensures the health and safety of children receiving out of home care. You will also: Explain program policies, guidelines, rules and regulations to potential applicants for childcare 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 childcare providers and/or stakeholders; Collaborate with the public and professionals in the field of childcare; Provide support and technical assistance to applicants and licensees throughout the licensing and renewal process; Participate in the appeals hearing process; A Child Care Licensing Specialist does professional services work under limited supervision, with significant travel and field activities, in addition to some office-based administrative functions. Your work may require a flexible work schedule beyond the typical 8-5, Monday-Friday standard work week.

Requirements

• A Bachelors 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.
• In order to properly evaluate your experience, please respond to the following performance areas in your cover letter:
• You will spend most of your time in the field where direct supervisory support is not immediately available. You will operate with considerable autonomy in establishing day-to-day work activities and priorities. Describe the positions you have held in which you had minimal supervision.
• In determining whether or not to issue or approve a facility’s license, you must be able to observe and document pertinent information about facilities and staff, assess this information in order to reach valid conclusions concerning regulatory compliance, and make sound recommendations as to whether or not to issue a license. Briefly summarize those aspects of your background that demonstrate you possess a high level of observational and assessment skills.
• You will be responsible for investigating complaint allegations. This is a process that involves conducting interviews, making personal observations, and assessing information in order to determine findings. 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 childcare 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 childcare providers and/or stakeholders
• Collaborate with the public and professionals in the field of childcare
• Provide support and technical assistance to applicants and licensees throughout the licensing and renewal process
• Participate in the appeals hearing process

Benefits

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($12,845.82 - $15,112.76 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($395.72 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 14.11% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including non-birthing and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees