Odjfs Licensing/Certification Specialist

Inspection/Licensing of child care centers: ensures compliance with licensing rules, regulations, statutory requirements, Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) standards, and Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) policies by conducting routine on-site licensing inspections, complaint investigations, SUTQ verification visits, and desk reviews; travels extensively within assigned area to monitor programs for health and safety compliance and developmentally appropriate practices; reviews required records and files (e.g., staff and children's files; postings; attendance records; curriculum; professional development); interviews appropriate parties to determine compliance with licensing rules and SUTQ standards; recommends licensing action for programs, including the issuance of a provisional and continuous license, license amendments, and SUTQ star ratings; identifies, interprets, and clarifies areas of non-compliance and/or problems or discrepancies related to licensing non-compliances and SUTQ standards and reports the findings to appropriate parties; monitoring (e.g., works with program on requirements to achieve compliance and/or a star rating).

Inspection/licensing of family child care homes: oversees County Departments of Job and Family Services (CDJFS) inspections of Family Child Care (FCC) homes and recommendations for licensure of FCC homes (e.g., accompanies county staff on inspections; reviews county recommendations for allowing operation of FCC homes); monitors FCC homes recommended for licensure and prepares reports regarding the status of the program and services being provided; travels to inspect homes (e.g., with CDJFS employees; without CDJFS employees to perform follow- up); reviews and evaluates FCC home provider registrations for SUTQ; conducts desk reviews and on-site verification visits of FCC home providers to assess SUTQ program standards and determine rating eligibility and rating level.

Monitoring of county agencies: monitors the work of county staff to ensure adherence to ORC and OAC requirements; travels within assigned area to monitor and oversee licensing and SUTQ compliance of CDJFS inspections of FCC homes and recommendations for licensure of FCC homes (e.g., accompanies county staff on inspections; reviews county recommendations for allowing operation of FCC homes; reviews county files either on site or through desk review such as staff and children files and background checks); approves county recommendations.

Inspection/approval of day camps: conducts on-site monitoring and desk reviews of registered day camps; conducts complaint investigations for registered day camps by performing on-site inspections, desk reviews, or referrals to local health officials or Public Children Services Agencies (PCSAs).

Provision of technical assistance and training: ensures uniform application of CDJFS child care program policies by meeting with CDJFS staff to share information and by conducting training and technical assistance for CDJFS employees; provides technical assistance to providers (e.g., on-site during inspections; through formal technical assistance and training sessions) and establishes best practices to maintain compliance with licensing and SUTQ requirements including serious risk non-compliances and ways to achieve or increase a SUTQ star rating; conducts various training sessions including Administrator Rules Review and pre-orientation training; develops training as assigned by creating presentations and handouts; provides consultation and technical assistance to CDJFS directors, administrators, and other staff in regard to program development and evaluation (e.g., assists in solving problems and improving processes to increase program effectiveness; develops and presents in-house training to agency staff and others involved in administration of programs/service delivery).

Investigation of alleged operations: investigates complaints of illegally operating child care operations by conducting inspections; collaborates with DCY Office of Legal and Acquisition Services (OLAS) and the Ohio Attorney General's Office for appropriate legal action; makes a final disposition.

Participation in enforcement of licensed programs and alleged operations: collaborates with local and state external agencies (e. g., building and fire authority; health department; PCSAs; Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies) and make referrals as appropriate; gathers evidence in cases which may require legal action; on the basis of evidence, recommends appropriate action; testifies before judicial bodies when necessary (e.g., represents the agency in revocation hearings); works in collaboration with county, district, and central office staff to maintain clear and consistent communication.

Utilization of child care automated systems: utilizes automated systems to complete assignments (e.g., Ohio Child Licensing and Quality System [OCLQS]; Ohio Professional Registry [OPR]; Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System [SACWIS