Division of Child Care
615 East Second Street, Douglas, Arizona 85607

Salary: $40,496 to $53,212 

Grade: 20

Closing Date: November 18, 2024

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that helps Arizonans thrive? At the Department of Economic Security (DES) we strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life. DES is looking for individuals who are committed to service, community, and teamwork. To learn more about DES please visit des.az.gov; or click on the link here to view ‘Our DES’ video. Come Join the DES Team!

DES is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a State Licensing Surveyor. This position is responsible for family childcare certification and case management duties including recruiting and certifying home providers; monitoring the health and safety of children in care by conducting family childcare provider home inspections; conducting orientations for certified family childcare providers and non-certified relative providers (NCRP). It is also responsible for Conducting complex complaint investigations, providing technical assistance, testify at formal appeals hearings, participate in quality assurance assessments, inter-rater reliability, and process improvement activities. The position covers a large geographical area which requires extensive travel.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords flexibility, autonomy and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, commissions, many State employees participate in the State's Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona, unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Conducting ongoing monitoring visits to ensure health, safety, supervision of children in care, and compliance of the home facility.
• Issues corrective action plans if provider is out of compliance.
• Monthly monitoring of billing documents.
• Evaluates providers for recertification suitability, and compliance with program policy regulations,
• Reviews forms for contract compliance.
• Provides technical assistance for payment and contractual obligations.
• Reviews application for home certification.
• Conducts provider interviews, orientation, and completes home study assessing training needs, or denies application following policy, regulations, federal law, statues and procedures.
• Adhere to guidelines related to provider training requirements and ensure provider's training classes are oriented to developmentally appropriate practices or business related for service provision and the expenditures of state and federal funds.
• Respond to calls from providers, clients, other agencies and community services for problem solving and information dissemination.
• Document, report and investigate provider complaints, consult with Department of Child Safety, and recommend appropriate action for probation, suspension or revocation of certification and termination of provider contract according to policy.

Knowledge of:
• Department policy and state statue, federal law and rules pertaining to multiple childcare programs including Department of Health Services, Arizona Department of Education, First Things First and other DES programs.
• Early childhood community programs and or other resources which may be of help to
• families and or providers.
• Methods/techniques used for effective case management, including time management, priority setting, policy controls, contract compliance, and record keeping.
• Other cultures, awareness and acceptance of diverse value systems, and how to work with clients from a variety of culture backgrounds in a professional and helpful manner.
• Early Childhood development, age-appropriate activities, and appropriate disciplinary and behavior management methods.
• Effective techniques necessary to conduct a home study visit.
• Basic health safety, sanitation, and requirements for early childhood and or family settings. Knowledge of personal computers and basic software applications.

Skills In:
• Planning and organizing case management activities.
• Establishing and maintaining ongoing client and provider caseloads, scheduling, prioritizing daily activities to meet stringent policy guidelines specific to program eligibility.
• Conducting interviews in a time efficient objective manner while eliciting provider personal and financial information for the purpose of provider certification.
• Successfully interacting with angry, hostile, or emotionally distraught clients.
• Listening and written and oral communication.
• Case documentation.
• Oral presentation before community groups and departmental groups as required and when representing the department in fair hearings.
• Comprehension to absorb, interpret, and assimilate large quantities of written materials regarding state and federal laws, rules and policy related to client and provider eligibility for multiple programs.
• Developing and facilitating training.

Ability to:
• Communicate easily with others in a manner which puts people at ease.
• Develop good rapport and relationships with others.
• Work as a team member.
• Direct, mentor and train others.
• Manipulate computer equipment to complete accurate case disposition and navigate multiple computer programs.
• Plan and coordinate duties and responsibilities.
• Assess unsafe situations and react quickly and appropriately.
• Adhere to all Department rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Adapt to changing priorities.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Knowledge of Early Childhood development, age-appropriate activities, appropriate disciplinary and behavior management methods.
• Skills in written and oral communication in Spanish.

• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
• Must be able to obtain an AZ Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card. Applicants for this position will be required to apply for and show proof of receipt of a valid Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card that meets DES requirements for Level One Card.
• Successfully pass background and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
• In-state travel is required. If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

The Arizona Department of Economic Security offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and long-term disability plans
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Stipend Opportunities
• Infant at Work Program
• Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
• Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities
• Flexible schedules to create a work/life balance

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.

On, or shortly after, your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines and effective dates.

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact us Frank Topor at 480-536-3791 or OODHRstaffing@azdes.gov.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting Frank Topor at 480-536-37961 or OODHRStaffing@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.