Child Care Licensing Specialist

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Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Community Care Worker

Opening Date:
June 12, 2026

Closing Date:
June 26, 2026

Job Class Code: 5088

Grade: 21 (Pro & Tech. Svcs.)

Salary: $21.54 - $30.14 per hour

Position Number:

Location:

We have a current vacancy based out of our Portland or Sanford Office covering portions of Cumberland and York counties, that is full time telework/field from home position.

* Limited Period Position
- Core Responsibilities:

As a Child Care Licensing Specialist, you will be working in Children's Licensing and Investigation Services within the Office of Child and Family Services, and will perform the functions of licensing, monitoring, conducting complaint investigations, and providing technical assistance and support to child care facilities and family child providers in Cumberland and York Counties. This is a critical vacancy as the regulatory oversight of child care programs ensures the health and safety of children receiving out of home care.

You will also:

o Explain program policies, guidelines, rules and regulations to potential applicants for child care licenses;

o Inspect residences and other places of business to ensure compliance with applicable rules;

o Inspect License-Exempt residences and other places of business to ensure compliance with Child Care Subsidy Rules;

o Assess individuals' personal characteristics, emotional stability, and social characteristics;

o Analyze and evaluate applicant and facility information;

o Advise applicants of rule violations, discuss possible corrective action, and explain appeal rights and procedures when applicable;

o Investigate and document complaint investigations;

o Assist a specialized team of Investigators in completing investigations of child abuse and neglect;

o Conduct informational meetings and/or training for child care providers and/or stakeholders;

o Collaborate with the public and professionals in the field of child care;

o Provide support and technical assistance to applicants and licensees throughout the licensing and renewal process;

o Participate in the appeals hearing process;

A Child Care Licensing Specialist does professional services work under limited supervision, with significant travel and field activities, in addition to some office-based administrative functions. Your work may require a flexible work schedule beyond the typical 8-5, Monday-Friday standard work week.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Bachelor's Degree in Social Services or a Behavioral Science area
-OR- a four year combination of education, training, and/or professional experience providing services to and working directly with children and/or families. Experience must demonstrate proficiency in public contact work, information gathering, analysis, documentation, and collaboration.

In order to properly evaluate your experience, please respond to the following performance areas in your cover letter:

1. You will spend most of your time in the field where direct supervisory support is not immediately available. You will operate with considerable autonomy in establishing day-to-day work activities and priorities. Describe the positions you have held in which you had minimal supervision.

2. In determining whether or not to issue or approve a facility's license, you must be able to observe and document pertinent information about facilities and staff, assess this information in order to reach valid conclusions concerning regulatory compliance, and make sound recommendations as to whether or not to issue a license. Briefly summarize those aspects of your background that demonstrate you possess a high level of observational and assessment skills.

3. You will be responsible for investigating complaint allegations. This is a process that involves conducting interviews, making personal observations, and assessing information in order to determine findings. Briefly describe your experience in gathering information through observation and interviews and making a determination based on that information.

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Agency information:

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness,…