Children's Services Inspection Specialist - public Health Licensing

Children's Services Inspection Specialist

Join our dedicated team as a Children's Services Inspection Specialist, where your independence and organizational skills will play a vital role in ensuring the safety and quality of licensed child welfare agencies across Nebraska. You will conduct mandated inspections of licensed Residential Child Caring Agencies and Child Placing Agencies, providing crucial education on licensing requirements, and investigating complaints in collaboration with agencies such as Law Enforcement, Children and Family Services, and Probation Services. This role offers the opportunity to work within a small, state-wide team, requiring self-motivation to meet annual inspection goals and the ability to effectively manage your schedule. Your expertise will help uphold regulatory standards, recommend appropriate licensing actions, and support the enforcement process through testimony at appeal hearings, making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families in the region.

Job Duties:

• Conducts complaint investigations on licensed child welfare agencies.
• Coordinates with other agencies, such as Law Enforcement, Children and Family Services, and Probation Services.
• Recommends and initiates appropriate licensing response to regulation violations and testifies at appeal hearings.

Since this is a field position, daily travel could be possible based on business need.

Requirements/Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Graduation from an accredited four year college or university with specialization in elementary or early childhood education, human development, sociology, psychology, child development, social work, nursing or related field. Experience as an inspector/complaint investigator in human services licensing, child welfare investigator, and/or children's services provider at the level of licensee, director or assistant director of a child care center. Experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in programs mentioned above. Demonstrated experience as a provider at the leadership level of a licensed child welfare agency. Experience managing an inspection case load.

Other: Valid driver's license or the ability to provide independent authorized transportation. Ability to travel daily, if necessary.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practice that enhances the emotional, social, and intellectual growth of children. Components of quality children's programs. Key issues that impact the quality of early childhood programs. Microsoft Office Software.

Skills: Communicate verbally and in writing in a professional, efficient manner, interpret and apply regulations, policies, and procedures. Prioritize and work independently, while maintaining accuracy.

Ability to communicate and coordinate with team members, licensees, and other partners in a courteous, professional, and timely manner.

Quickly analyze difficult situations and develop strategies to overcome. Evaluate and determine the appropriateness of children's programs. Compare data with established criteria to determine similarities and differences and identify conformity with standards.