04/13/2011 43611

EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM CERTIFICATION SUPERVISOR

DEFINITION: This is professional work supervising the inspection, certification, and monitoring of early learning child care facilities within an assigned geographic area for the Department of Public Welfare.

An employee in this job is responsible for supervising Early Learning Program Certification Representatives who are responsible for the inspection, certification, and monitoring of child care centers, group child care homes and family child care homes to ensure that they meet certification standards and are operated in accordance with legal requirements and departmental rules and regulations. Work involves participating in and supervising the review of certification applications; reviewing information gathered during on-site inspections of early learning child care facilities to determine if the findings support the recommendation to approve, deny, or revoke a certification of compliance or registration; and ensuring that guidance and advice is available to early learning child care facility operators for correcting statutory and regulatory violations. Work is performed under the general supervision of an Early Learning Program Regional Manager and is reviewed for consistency and conformance with statutes, regulations and departmental standards and policies through review of work products and conferences.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Supervises the inspection, certification and monitoring of early learning child care facilities.

Reviews the work of staff to ensure that early learning child care facilities meet certification standards.

Reviews the work of staff to ensure that early learning child care facilities are operated in accordance with statutes, regulations and departmental standards and policies.

Supervises the provision of guidance and technical assistance to early learning child care facility operators or individuals applying for certificates of compliance and registration to operate early learning child care facilities.

Monitors staff follow-up activities to ensure correction of regulatory violations observed at early learning child care facilities.

Reviews recommendations by subordinates regarding the issuance, denial, renewal, or revocation of certificates of compliance and registration of early learning child care facilities.

Explains the statutes, rules and regulations governing the certification of early learning child care facilities to staff, early learning child care facility operators, and the general public.

Disseminates information on certification requirements through correspondence, electronic communication, personal contact, and participation in meetings, conferences, and seminars.

Leads or participates in joint investigations with other state and county officials relating to complaints and suspected cases of child abuse in early learning child care facilities.

Reviews and evaluates staff findings and recommendations related to complaint investigations for approval and processing.

Provides testimony, as required, at administrative hearings, litigation proceedings, civil court hearings, or criminal court trials involving substantiated complaints, child abuse and criminal activity.

Conducts specialized studies and follow-up surveys.

Prepares regular and special reports.

Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

An employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates' work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of child development programs designed to meet the needs of children and youth.

Knowledge of social and economic issues affecting children and youth.

Knowledge of interview techniques used to obtain information from individuals.

Knowledge of principles and methods of data collection and analysis.

Ability to analyze and interpret written information.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: One year of experience as an Early Learning Program Certification Representative;

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Three years of professional experience providing direct services to children and youth and a bachelor’s degree that includes 24 semester hours of college level courses in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education, psychology, or human development;

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An equivalent combination of professional experience and training, which includes two years of professional experience providing direct services to children and youth and 24 semester hours of college level courses in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education, psychology, or human development.