Government OPT Jobs in Connecticut

The State of Connecticut, Office of Early Childhood (OEC), is seeking to hire Child Care Licensing Specialists to support core regulatory activities that ensure the health, safety, and well-being of children participating in licensed child care programs across Connecticut.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees

THE TEAM

The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood's Licensing Division is responsible for overseeing more than 3,500 child care centers, group child care homes, family child care homes, and youth camps in Connecticut. We are committed to promoting the health, safety, and welfare of Connecticut’s children, ensuring compliance with state statutes and regulations.

We are currently recruiting multiple Child Care Licensing Specialists to join this specialized and mission-driven unit.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Child Care Licensing Specialists play an essential role in this work by monitoring programs for compliance with applicable statutes and regulations during inspections and investigations, reviewing licensing applications and supporting providers through the licensing process, and providing technical assistance to enhance program quality and regulatory compliance. Specialists work closely with child care providers, contribute to consistent and high-quality statewide licensing standards, and help support safe environments for children.

DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO

• Conduct on-site inspections and investigations of child care centers, group child care homes, and family child care homes;
• Ensure child care programs meet or exceed minimum licensure requirements;
• Review applications for licensure;
• Prepare inspection reports, records, and supporting documentation;
• Respond to provider questions regarding regulations, policies, and required corrective actions;
• Assist in resolving disputes related to inspection findings;
• Provide technical assistance to providers on regulatory requirements;
• Participate in administrative enforcement actions as assigned;
• Communicate regularly with supervisors, colleagues, and licensed providers;
• Work independently and as part of a team;
• Attend staff meetings, trainings, and professional development sessions.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• Monday - Friday
• Full-time (40 hours per week)
• First shift (8:00 AM - 4:30 PM)
• Location: Hartford, CT
• Hybrid position (telework and in field/office)

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov (Opens in a New Window).
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
• Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly.
• For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above; however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion, and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
• This employer may participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm work authorization.

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Frank DeCusati at frank.decusati@ct.gov (Opens in a New Window).

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Office of Early Childhood this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of technical duties involved in the licensing and regulation of child care programs and providers.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Conducts on-site regulatory inspections and interviews of potential and existing child care providers to determine initial and continuing regulatory compliance and health, safety, and welfare of children;
• Performs inspections of total facility (e.g. health and sanitation, food service, space, staffing, etc.);
• Reviews required program documentation, observes program operations and conducts interviews with program staff, parents, and other interested parties;
• Reviews applications for licensure from prospective child care programs and providers;
• Documents all pertinent information regarding regulatory compliance for formal and informal compliance conferences, negative actions against a licensee, hearings, and/or court proceedings;
• Investigates complaints of non-compliance with child care regulations, mistreatment of children, and illegal practices by child care programs and providers;
• Provides guidance and consultation regarding child care regulations and program practices to providers, parents, and other interested parties;
• Maintains case records and prepares reports;
• Coordinates services with other state and local agencies;
• May appear before professional organizations and the public to educate on child care regulatory issues;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of
  • and ability to interpret relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures related to child care programs;
  • principles and techniques of operating child care programs;
  • various economic, emotional, medical, psychological, and social factors influencing attitudes and behavior of individuals and families;
  • community resources available to individuals and families;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to
  • determine child care program and provider compliance with governing statutes and regulations;
  • obtain, organize, assess, and present evidence related to program provider compliance with regulations;
  • maintain records and prepare reports;
• Organizational ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years of experience in the provision of professional child care services with involvement in program development and operational policy.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• College education may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's