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Arlington County's Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking a Child Care Specialist to work within the Child Care Office in the Child & Family Services Division. This position will be responsible for licensing, inspecting, and monitoring CHILD CARE centers, family day care homes, and private schools located within the County to ensure enforcement of CHILD CARE regulations and the provision of quality teaching and learning experiences in early childhood education programs. The purpose of this position is to support Child Care Services to protect and ensure the overall health, safety, and welfare of children in CHILD CARE settings. The Child Care Specialist may spend approximately 50% of the time traveling within Arlington County to conduct on-site inspections and investigations.
Specific duties include:
- Processing prospective applications for childcare centers, family day care homes, and private schools to determine eligibility for licensure and approval by following established office policies and procedures;
- Enforcing County regulations, as well as federal, state, or local laws at CHILD CARE centers, family day care homes, and private school programs through routine monitoring and inspection;
- Conducting investigations to determine the validity of CHILD CARE related allegations of CHILD CARE operators;
- Developing written inspection reports to identify any violation(s) and conducting follow up inspections as needed to ensure compliance;
- Conducting Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) observations at publicly-funded licensed programs in Arlington County, to include the completion of written observation reports and program feedback sessions;
- Making referrals to appropriate agencies such as Child Protective Services;
- Providing technical assistance and training to CHILD CARE providers, center directors, and/or staff;
- Liaising with professionals from agencies and organizations connected to the early childhood education and CHILD CARE populations; and
- Delivering orientation sessions to promote awareness of CHILD CARE operational responsibilities to those applying for childcare licensing.
Arlington County DHS is committed to delivering client services in an effective, equitable, respectful, and trauma-informed manner. Our staff is dedicated to ensuring our clients are approached, engaged and treated in ways that demonstrate competency, sensitivity and awareness of factors which impact the client experience including but not limited to cultural identity, gender, racial, and ethnic diversity, religious/spiritual ascription, physical capability, cognitive and literacy levels, sexual orientation, and linguistic needs.
Selection Criteria
Minimums:
- Bachelor's degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Psychology, Social Work, or a closely related field; and
- Some experience in childcare or other educational setting with children, administering a CHILD CARE facility, administering CHILD CARE.
Desirables: Preference may be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following:
- Managing or providing administration of a license CHILD CARE programs
- Certification in CLASS Infant, Toddler, and/or Pre-K tools, with experience in conducting CLASS observations in early learning programs; and
- Experience communicating with customers from diverse backgrounds.
Special Requirements
Applicant must possess (or obtain by time of appointment) a valid motor vehicle operator's license from the applicant's place of residence. The applicant must authorize Arlington County to obtain (or the applicant must provide) a copy of the applicant's official state or district driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant's driving record.
A pre-hire background check will be made on candidates selected for employment. It may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. Candidates may be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain background information.
Additional Information
Work Hours: A Flexible work schedule with telework opportunities between the hours of 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Occasional evening and weekend hours will be required for training sessions with CHILD CARE providers and staff.
Each section of the application must be completed. A resume may be attached, however, it will not substitute for the completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
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Applicants who have questions or need assistance with the application may telephone (703) 228-3500 or visit the Human Resources Department. Our staff will be happy to work with you to enter your application into the system. Public access computers are available at all County Libraries, and in the Human Resources Department.
The examination process for this position may include: (1) training and experience evaluation; (2) written and oral examination; (3) personal interview; (4) performance test/work sample; and/or (5) physical examination.
Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process. Please call the ADA Coordinator at 703-228-3559 (voice) or email pers@arlingtonva.us.
