State of Maryland

A Child Care Licensing Specialist Lead MSDE is the lead level of work inspecting, licensing and monitoring child care centers, family day care homes and non-public nursery schools to ensure enforcement of child care regulations and the provision of quality child education development programs.  Employees in this classification assign, review and approve the work of and train lower-level Child Care Licensing Specialists MSDE.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Child Care Licensing Supervisor MSDE or Child Care Licensing Regional Manager MSDE.  Employees in this classification may be required to work evenings.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology. The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Child Care Licensing Specialist Lead MSDE is differentiated from the Child Care Licensing Specialist MSDE in that the Child Care Licensing Specialist Lead MSDE assigns, reviews and approves the work of and trains lower-level Child Care Licensing Specialists MSDE while the Child Care Licensing Specialist MSDE performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.  The Child Care Licensing Specialist Lead MSDE is differentiated from the Child Care Licensing Supervisor MSDE in that the Child Care Licensing Supervisor MSDE has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Child Care Licensing Specialists MSDE.

Assigns, reviews and approves the work of Child Care Licensing Specialists and Trainees MSDE;

Trains lower-level Child Care Licensing Specialists MSDE and provides advice and guidance in the resolution of complex or sensitive issues surrounding the inspection and licensure of child care facilities;

Leads staff team in developing and conducting workshops for child care facilities staff or family day care providers designed to improve the quality of educational programs and to enhance the ability and capability of facilities or homes to effectively meet the needs of the children being served;

Ensures that licensees meet statutory and regulatory standards through inspection reports and follow up, develops a plan of corrective action with the child care facility and calls in appropriate outside agencies when necessary;

Participates in the development and implementation of new and improved policies and procedures, including manual and automated systems;

Serves on various Statewide committees to write regulations, review policies and procedures and test the CCATS automated system;

Represents the Office of Child Care with community leaders and members, child care providers and other interested parties regarding child care issues;

Coordinates with other agencies, such as local departments of social services and other advocacy groups, to insure the greatest amount of oversight while minimizing duplication and redundancy;

Recommends the issuance, denial, suspension or revocation of licenses to operate child care facilities;

Inspects child care facilities including child care centers, family day care homes, and non-public nursery schools to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations and ensure that facilities meet existing health and safety codes;

Reviews the background and qualifications of prospective and current care givers, including education, work experience, and background checks;

Evaluates child care centers, family day care homes or non-public nursery schools to determine the age appropriateness of activities and curriculum;

Investigates complaints concerning child care facilities;

Conducts reviews of facilities applying for license renewal;

Recruits new child care licensees and facilities;

Investigates complaints regarding unlicensed facilities and assists them in becoming licensed or registered;

Explains applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures to groups and other interested parties;

Recommends training for licensees in such areas as discipline techniques, facility management, attending to needs of special children and recognition of child abuse;

Provides technical assistance to providers to ensure age appropriate programming and programming that meets the needs of children with disabilities;

Prepares reports, evaluations and responses to complaints and may assist in the preparation of a newsletter and other informational materials;

Prepares and presents testimony for administrative hearings, trials or lawsuits;

Uses automated technologies to record and report the results of inspections of child care centers, family day care homes and non-public nursery schools;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of procedures and practices which ensure safe and sanitary conditions at child care centers, family day care homes and non-public nursery schools;

Knowledge of the principles of the growth and development of children;

Knowledge of administrative operations such as record keeping and staffing; Knowledge of educational, nutritional, health, safety, developmental, social service and other treatment needs of children;

Knowledge of childhood development program design and implementation;

Skill in conducting inspections which assess compliance with applicable laws, rules and codes such as the Code of Maryland Regulations for child care centers, family day care homes and non-public nursery schools;

Skill in conducting workshops and teaching childhood development program techniques;

Skill in preparing curriculum;

Ability to conduct interviews to obtain factual information;

Ability to understand and explain the needs of children;

Ability to prepare clear, concise and comprehensive reports;

Ability to understand and explain applicable regulations and codes;

Ability to communicate effectively and maintain good working relationships with licensees, child care clients, associates and the public;

Ability to organize and complete work according to assigned schedules;

Ability to treat confidential information discreetly;

Ability to keep current with trends and issues in the area of child care development;

Ability to evaluate educational credentials, certification requirements and criminal background investigations for staff in child care centers, family day care homes and non-public nursery schools;

Ability to utilize various types of information systems to process and record program data.

Education:   A Bachelor's degree in child development, education, social work or psychology from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Three years of experience inspecting, licensing and monitoring child care centers, family day care homes and non-public nursery schools.

Notes:

1. An Associate of Arts degree in early childhood development, teacher education, sociology or psychology and two years work experience inspecting, licensing and monitoring child care centers, family day care homes and non-public nursery schools may be substituted for the required education.

2. Applicants may substitute graduate education in a Child Development curriculum at an accredited college or university at the rate of 30 credit hours per year for up to two years of the required experience.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit F, Social and Human Service Professionals classes.  As provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime, as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.