Early Learning Program Certification Representative

Commonwealth-of-Pennsylvania; Scranton (Lackawanna County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Human Services seeks an Early Learning Program Certification Representative to guide providers on certification requirements, inspect child care facilities for compliance, and apply regulatory standards to ensure safe learning environments.

You will work full-time, 37.5 hours weekly, with travel across the Northeast Region and occasional overnight stays; telework is not available.

Qualifications

• Two years of professional experience providing direct services to children and youth plus a bachelor’s degree that includes 24 semester hours in relevant fields.
• An equivalent combination of professional experience and training may substitute for the degree requirement: one year of experience plus 24 semester hours in the same fields.

Responsibilities

• Public Guidance: Respond to inquiries about certification issues, technical requirements, orientation details, and calls.
• Facility Inspection: Investigate compliance for applications, inspections, unannounced monitoring, and complaints.
• Certification Follow-Up: Complete inspection reports, determine compliance, prepare documents, support sanctions, and testify when needed.
• Agency Collaboration: Participate in work groups, assist with policy reviews, support training and development initiatives, and represent regulatory positions.
• Program Support: Use electronic systems, prepare letters, update provider profiles, and incorporate CCW data into inspection activities.

Education

Bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education, psychology, or human development

Job description

The Early Learning Program Certification Representative with the Department of Human Services (DHS) offers an exciting chance to support safe, healthy child care across the Northeast Region. This role lets you work directly with providers to help them understand requirements and strengthen their programs. Your guidance plays a major part in creating environments where children learn and grow. This position provides purpose, momentum, and opportunities to build your professional skills.

This role focuses on inspecting child care facilities, supporting operators, and applying regulatory requirements to ensure safe and compliant environments. As a Early Learning Program Certification Representative, you will perform the following duties:

• Public Guidance: Respond to inquiries about certification issues, technical requirements, orientation details, and assigned phone calls
• Facility Inspection: Investigate compliance for applications, inspections, unannounced monitoring, and complaints
• Certification Follow-Up: Complete inspection reports, determine compliance, prepare documents, support sanctions, and testify when needed
• Agency Collaboration: Participate in work groups, assist with policy reviews, support training and development initiatives, and represent regulatory positions
• Program Support: Use electronic systems, prepare letters, update provider profiles, and incorporate Child Care Works (CCW) data into 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 a 60-minute lunch.
• Travel may be frequent, including overnight stays. Travel expenses are reimbursed.
• You will have the ability to be home headquartered after six months on the job.
• 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.
• 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.

This position is subject to the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement or memorandum of understanding.

You must be eligible for selection in accordance with merit system employment regulations.

Recruitment Methods

• Applicants must meet one of the following methods to be considered for this vacancy: Reassignment (Only current civil service employees in the same agency who hold the same or similar job title, with the same maximum salary, within the same occupational group or where there is a logical career movement, will qualify for reassignment).

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.