Child Care Specialist I

City of Chesapeake Portal•Chesapeake, VA

26d

About The Position

The purpose of this position is to provide child-centered, family-focused services to income-eligible families that support family goals of economic self-sufficiency and child development by providing for the supervision and well-being of the child while the parent is participating in an approved activity. The Child Care Specialist I is responsible for providing consumer education that empowers working parents to make informed childcare choices regarding their family’s needs and to engage families in their children’s development and learning. This position works with caseloads within a general outline of work to be performed; and develops work methods and sequences under general supervision.

Requirements

VOCATIONAL / EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT : Requires any combination of education and experience equivalent to an associate degree in early childhood development, business, psychology, sociology, accounting, or a closely related field.
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT : In addition to satisfying the vocational/education standard, this class requires a minimum of one year of related, full-time equivalent experience.
SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES : Requires a valid driver’s license and a driving record that is in compliance with the City’s Driving Standards .
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT : Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Emergency operations support work and work locations may be outside of normal job duties.

Nice To Haves

Explains the employment services program
Makes assessments of customer needs and develops employment plans, utilizing job search, work experience, education and training.
Establishes and monitors self-sufficiency goals through information and assessment of customer background.
Monitors case reports/records in accordance with regulations.
Explains the child care program and makes assessments of customer needs.
Interviews persons for assistance, obtains necessary information;
Explains nature of temporary assistance benefit programs and determines reasons and need for assistance;
Processes applications for financial assistance and diversion;
Determines eligibility for assistance and benefit levels using automated systems and manual methods;
Evaluates employability status of clients and explores potential sources of income;
Explains client responsibilities, rights and program availability;

Responsibilities

Conducts interviews to determine and re-determine financial and non-financial eligibility for childcare services.
Conducts required strength-based assessments and formulates and implements service plans that assist the family in reaching self-sufficiency.
Interacts and coordinates with other community organizations and departments to provide services or resources for families.
Educates families about the availability of childcare providers, the importance of high-quality childcare indicators, and methods to monitor their child/children’s care.
Assists families in using available tools and data sources to access childcare vendors’ inspection reports and develop methods for addressing care and communication issues with childcare vendors.
Prepares purchase of service orders for child care services negotiates additional vendor fees and payment adjustments, confirms vendor availability, and provides service authorization.
Manages ongoing caseload and documents required changes in case management system (VaCMS); maintains paper and electronic records in areas of responsibility; compiles information/data and prepares periodic and special reports.
Conducts routine child care provider visits that build rapport; serves as a policy implementation liaison and connects community resources to improve quality of care and strengthen business practices that promote the healthy social-emotional, cognitive, and physical development of children.
Represents the unit, Dept. of Human Services – Social Services agency, and City on related workgroups or programs; attends unit, staff, and team meetings to exchange information.
Performs routine office tasks such as correspondence, data entry, filing, faxing, telephoning, and photocopying.
Performs other related duties as assigned.