Early Learning Program Certification Representative

Are you someone who enjoys working with people and wants a career that truly makes a difference? As an Early Learning Program Certification Representative with the Department of Human Services, you help protect the well-being of children across your region. This role brings you into direct contact with child care providers as you guide them toward safe and compliant practices. Your work supports the mission of high-quality early learning for all children. Apply today to step into a position where your leadership makes a lasting difference.

This position inspects child care programs, reviews compliance with state requirements, and provides guidance to help facilities meet health and safety standards. The role supports early learning providers through evaluations, technical assistance, and certification activities. As an Early Learning Program Certification Representative, you will perform the following duties:

• Public Assistance: Respond to inquiries from the public and providers and offer guidance about certification requirements
• Compliance Reviews: Investigate facilities through scheduled, renewal, and unannounced inspections based on regulations and procedures
• Certification Activities: Prepare reports, determine compliance, and complete documentation needed for certification decisions
• Technical Support: Provide assistance to operators to help them meet regulatory expectations and maintain safe environments
• Agency Collaboration: Work with other offices and agencies on policy reviews, program initiatives, and child care standards
• Program Support: Use computer systems and electronic tools to update records, prepare materials, and support inspection activities

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
• Work hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with 60-minute lunch.
• You will have the ability to be home headquartered after six months on the job.
• You must be willing to travel frequently, including overnight. Travel expenses will be paid.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Two years of professional experience providing direct services to children and youth and a bachelor's degree that includes 24 semester hours of college level courses in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education, psychology, or human development; or
• An equivalent combination of professional experience and training, which includes one year of professional experience providing direct services to children and youth and 24 semester hours of college level courses in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education, psychology, or human development.

Other Requirements:

• You must reside in or be willing to relocate to one of the following counties within the Northeast Region within the first 6 months of employment: Berks, Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montour, Northampton, Pike, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wayne, or Wyoming.
• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.