Child Care Compliance & Background Clearance Lead

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene seeks an Associate Investigator to conduct comprehensive background checks for child care staff and ensure compliance with NYC Health Code and NYS social services regulations. The role includes outreach, letters of eligibility, liaison work with providers, and data handling of confidential records.

You will oversee clearance staff, coordinate communications, and present information to communities to promote licensed, safe child care options.

Qualifications

• A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and five years of satisfactory, full-time experience as an investigator evaluating credit worthiness, searching for assets, verifying information concerning education, experience, and other personal qualifications bearing upon character and fitness for employment, or performing investigations involving the research, compilation and/or location of evidence or information in order to build a case or uncover activities of a criminal, corrupt, unlawful or unethical nature; or
• An associate degree or 60 semester credits from an accredited college and four years of satisfactory, full-time experience as described in "1" above; or
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of satisfactory, full-time experience as described in "1" above; or
• Education and/or experience equivalent to "1", "2", or "3" above.

Responsibilities

• Provide citywide education, outreach, referral and technical assistance to operators and staff of child care centers, home-based child care programs, after school programs and summer camps regarding background clearances necessary to attain, renew or maintain a license to provide services that are necessary to protect the health and safety of children while in the child care environment.
• In accordance with the Child Care Development Block Grant and NYS requirements to implement background checks for child care operators, compose eligibility letters and conduct related outreach to providers and staff of child care programs regarding clearances and the interpretation and proper reporting of clearance results.
• Develop and coordinate community resources, and perform liaison functions between Child Care Providers, City and State agencies, community groups, parents and the general public regarding Child Care licensing rules and regulations.
• Liaise with group child care providers in order to ensure that they are following the laws outlined in the Child Care Compliance Guide and assure families that these child care providers are protecting and promoting their children's safety, health and a nurturing early education environment.
• Engage in full oversight for the coordination of daily communication with group child care and school-based child care programs regarding compliance with the requirements of Article 47 and Article 43 of the NYC Health Code regarding health and safety guidelines and best practices in child care settings.
• Assign, supervise and evaluate the work of the child care clearance administrators and their level of community interfacing and engagement with the child care providers and their staff regarding comprehensive background checks that are necessary to facilitate their operations, as well as renewal of childcare permits. This process includes but is not limited to reviewing the Criminal history repository, Sex offender registry, and Child abuse or neglect repository for childcare providers, their assigned staff, and volunteers.
• Responsible for the maintenance of confidential records pertaining to child care providers for al investigations performed. Review clearance requests for and ensure accuracy of data release.
• Conduct presentations at community meetings and health fairs and conduct information sessions to promote the importance of choosing licensed providers, and to assist parents in making informed child care decisions, and also encourage reporting of illegal operations.

Skills

Investigation

Background checks

Criminal history

Record review

Education

High school diploma + 5 years experience

Associate degree + 4 years

Baccalaureate degree + 2 years

Education/experience equivalent

Job description

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene seeks an Associate Investigator to conduct comprehensive background checks for child care staff and ensure compliance with NYC Health Code and NYS social services regulations. The role includes outreach, letters of eligibility, liaison work with providers, and data handling of confidential records.

You will oversee clearance staff, coordinate communications, and present information to communities to promote licensed, safe child care options.