Licensing Specialist(Adams, Larimer, Weld, Broomfield, Mesa, & Boulder Counties)

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

11d•Remote

About The Position

The Office of Early Childhood welcomes your interest in the Licensing Specialist position. This position exists to inspect facilities and authorize the issuance of a license for various types of less than 24 hour child care facilities after compliance with rules and regulations has been verified, investigate complaints concerning children in care, and document facts on licensees for possible court action in order to assure safety of children in out of home settings. The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) ensures the delivery of a comprehensive, community-informed, data-driven, high-quality and equitable early childhood system that supports the care, education and well-being of all Colorado's young children, their families and early childhood professionals in all settings. CDEC provides access to collaborative, coordinated, quality early childhood programs and support to children, families, and early care professionals in an effort to best prepare Coloradans for future success. CDEC works with many partners, including parents, schools, child care providers, Early Childhood Councils, counties, Community Centered Boards, early intervention service providers, family resource centers, county human services, county public health, businesses, community organizations, and other stakeholders to provide high-quality early childhood and family support programs. The Division of Early Learning Licensing and Administration (DELLA) is the State’s lead agency in planning and implementing public child care policy. In addition, the Division is responsible for the licensing and monitoring of child care facilities. DELLA ensures the health and safety of children in less-than-24-hour licensed (or license-exempt) early care and education environments by promulgating regulations for child care that ensure minimum standards for the health and safety of facilities. The Division accomplishes this through the annual inspection and monitoring of child care facilities, consultation and coaching for early care and learning professionals, and collaborating with early care and learning providers, child care associations, Early Childhood Councils, local governments, and county agencies, advocates, and other important stakeholders.

Requirements

Two years of professional experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position, including human or social services and early childhood programs.
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to Human Services, Early Childhood Education, or a closely related field.
Six years of professional experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position, including human or social services and early childhood programs.
Additional appropriate experience will substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.
Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.
The required experience must be substantiated within the work experience section of your application and in the supplemental questions.
Your resume will not be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications; only the work experience section and supplemental questions of your application will be reviewed to determine this.
"See Resume" statements on the application will not be accepted.
In addition, part-time work will be prorated.
Applicants must pass a thorough background check & a motor vehicle records check prior to employment.
Applicants must live within 50 miles of the areas serviced.
Employees who have been disciplinary terminated, resigned in lieu of disciplinary termination, or negotiated their termination from the State of Colorado must disclose this information on the application.

Nice To Haves

Experience conducting inspections.
Demonstrated knowledge of the Child Care Licensing Act, child care licensing system rules and regulations, policies and practices, and child care licensing best practice standards.
Demonstrated experience researching, analyzing, and interpreting the law (State and Federal), constitutions, statutes, rules, applicable case law, the rules of Civil Procedure, the Rules of Evidence, and policy to advise management in developing sound legal strategies.
Ability to effectively engage people, organizations and partners in developing goals.
Ability to effectively transmit ideas, instructions and information through clear and concise written and verbal communication methods.
Demonstrated experience in adverse licensing for child care facilities.
Proficient computer skills.
Ability to communicate and work with people of diverse backgrounds.
Investigative practices/techniques.
Knowledge of child care licensing principles.
Time Management.
De-escalation techniques for volatile situations.

Responsibilities

Review and evaluate applications, supporting documents, including but not limited to criminal records, child abuse and neglect records, as well as health, fire, building, and zoning department reports.
Evaluate facility’s programs through the analysis of documents such as policies and procedures, behavior management and discipline, staff qualifications, medical administration, floor plans and plans for educational, community, and recreational activities.
Determine from the application and program analysis whether a licensing inspection can be conducted or if a corrected action plan is required prior to an on-site inspection.
Appropriately identify which of 8 separate rule sets to apply to programs, based on the programs operation, policies and ages of children served.
Appropriately apply statutes related to the investigations and inspections of six different license types.
Inspect, monitor, and evaluate less-than-24-hour child care facilities for compliance with laws and regulations prior to the business operating.
Physically inspect facility for health, safety, and program standards and interview administrative staff to determine qualifications and ability to provide child care.
Investigate complaints and stage II investigations of inappropriate treatment and care of children, inadequate supervision, inappropriate discipline or non-compliance with rules and regulations by interviewing staff, parents or children, observing program operation and review of facility records.
Write Report of Inspection for every inspection using Department approved Standard Operating Procedures.
Complete records and reports necessary to issue licenses and ensure facility’s compliance with laws and regulations.
Enter required daily inspection information into Salesforce.
Enter information in CCCLS as needed.
Process all Report of Inspection Responses to ensure all violations have been corrected and scanned into Illinx.
Log into Trails for alerts and track Trails alerts in Salesforce.
Community outreach by consultation for the continued professionalism of child care.
Interpret rules and regulations to the child care community, by training and consultation regarding the skills needed to deliver child care; via telephone, participation in community meetings, acting as a speaker or participant in workshops, and on-site consultations.
Collaborate with local child care associations and other professionals.
Other duties as assigned.