Licensing/Certification Specialist - Southeastern Region

State of Wisconsin; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 47,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading state agency is seeking a Licensing/Certification Specialist for the Southeastern Region in Milwaukee, WI. This position involves evaluating and licensing childcare programs, ensuring compliance with regulations, and supporting child welfare initiatives. Applicants should have investigative skills and experience in early childhood education settings.

Benefits

Great benefits

Personal growth opportunities

Work-life balance

Qualifications

• Experience working with investigative techniques and/or strategies.
• Experience in regulated child care settings for children (birth – 8 years).
• Experience writing complex reports and interpreting policies.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate, license, and monitor childcare programs.
• Investigate complaints against childcare programs.
• Provide technical assistance to childcare providers.

Skills

Investigative techniques

Report writing

Policy interpretation

Job description

Licensing/Certification Specialist - Southeastern Region

Join to apply for the Licensing/Certification Specialist - Southeastern Region role at State of Wisconsin

Licensing/Certification Specialist - Southeastern Region

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Join to apply for the Licensing/Certification Specialist - Southeastern Region role at State of Wisconsin

Introduction

The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF), Division of Early Care and Education (DECE), Bureau of Early Care Regulation (BECR), Southeastern Regional Office (SERO) is currently recruiting to fill two (2) Licensing/Certification Specialist positions headquartered in Milwaukee, WI. DCF offers great benefits, personal growth opportunities and work-life balance as a State of Wisconsin employee; and the intrinsic reward associated with serving the children and families of Wisconsin. To learn more about DCF’s complete compensation package, please visit our Total Rewards Calculator!

This position is headquartered at 635 N. 26th St in Milwaukee, WI and is comprised primarily of field work requiring on-site, in-person visits approximately 3-4 days per week. Successful candidates must have the ability to travel anywhere within the region at any time, based on the needs of the work unit. Remote work options will be discussed further during the interview. Employees will be required to report to Milwaukee, WI on their first day of employment.

High speed internet access is required to meet the needs of hybrid work.

Come see why DCF is such a great place to work!

DCF is committed to the important work of helping children, youth and families become safer, more secure and progress down the road to true independence. For more information about DCF, visit our website at http://dcf.wi.gov/.

Position Summary

This position will evaluate, license, and monitor assigned child care programs (family childcare, group child care, day camps, certified providers). The Licensing/Certification Specialist will determine compliance with regulations established by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) in order to protect and promote the health, safety and welfare of the children being served. This position recommends and participates in issuing enforcement actions to support compliance of the licensing or certification rules. The Licensing/Certification Specialist will also be responsible for investigating complaints against illegally operating programs and licensed programs as assigned and provides technical assistance to individuals or groups involved in child care programs. These duties will require the drafting of documentation, reports, and comments, in addition to entering updates in the Wisconsin Child Care Regulatory System (WISCCRS) automation system and entering visit data in the licensing checklist mobile application.

View the complete position description.

Salary Information

The classification title for this position is Licensing/Certification Specialist. The starting salary is between $22.97 and $34.24 per hour ($47,777 and $71,219 annually), depending on qualifications. Pay for current State of WI employees will be based on the compensation plan in effect at the time of the appointment. Pay for current state employees who are transferring will be determined based upon the pay on transfer rules (higher level duties or equity) as outlined in the compensation plan in effect at the time of appointment.

The pay schedule/range is 12-63. A one-year probationary period may be required.

Job Details

Due to the nature of the position, final candidates may be required to allow DCF to conduct a security background check to determine whether the circumstances of any pending charges or convictions would be substantially related to the job being filled.

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the U.S., a lawful permanent resident, an alien authorized to work in the U.S. without DCF sponsorship.) The Department of Children and Families does not sponsor visas, either at time of hire or at any later time.

Driver License Requirement: The selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license throughout employment and meet the requirements of the State of Wisconsin Fleet Vehicle Policy. The candidate must be at least 18 years of age with 2 years driving experience. Candidates with three (3) or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents in the past two (2) years, or who have an OWI/DUE violation within the past year are not eligible to drive state vehicles.

Qualifications

Minimally qualified applicants will have:

• Experience working with investigative techniques and/or strategies (investigating complaints and/or concerns etc.)
• Professional experience in a regulated child care or early care and education settings where direct services are provided to young children (birth – 8 years old). Examples of qualified experience can be from:
• Licensed, certified, or HeadStart child care services
• Providing services such as coaching, guidance, and/or technical assistance to children, families, the early care workforce, and or providers in a regulated child care setting
• Experience writing complex and/or detailed reports, memos, and/or correspondences.
• Experience interpreting and/or applying policy, state statutes and/or administrative rules.
  

Well-qualified Applicants Will Have

• Experience preparing and/or testifying in court or administrative hearings.
• Experience making home visits or business site visiting in a regulatory capacity.
• Experience operating and/or navigating childcare related automated systems (Child Care Statewide Administration on the Web (CSAW), CARES, Cares Worker Webb (CWW), Child Care Finder (CCF), Child Care Provider Portal (CCPP), Wisconsin Child Care Regulatory Systems (WISCCRS) or other public assistance program systems
  
  

How To Apply

If you haven’t already done so, you will need to create an account and apply online. You must apply online to be considered for this position. Application materials will not be accepted if received in an e-mail, as a hard copy or a fax. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.

After you are logged in and are viewing the announcement, click “Apply Now.” You will be asked to provide your personal information and required materials. Online applications that do not include all of the requested materials will not be considered.

Your letter of qualifications and resume are very important parts of your application at DCF and are used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. View instructions on developing your resume and letter of qualifications for your DCF application and what should be included in these materials.

Submitted materials will be evaluated by one or more subject matter experts and qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

The State of Wisconsin is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to applicants of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national original, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.

The State of Wisconsin offers a special program for qualified veterans with a 30% or greater service-connected disability. If you are a qualified veteran, please visit the Veterans Employment page for application instructions to be considered for the Veterans Non-Competitive Appointment program.

Permanent classified state employees who are eligible for consideration (transfer, voluntary demotion, or former employees as a reinstatement) must complete the application process to apply.

Deadline to Apply

The deadline to apply is 11:59 PM on July 6, 2025. If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact, Rebekah Gaumitz at 608-422-6417 or via email at [e-mail]. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions for general wisc.jobs user information and technical assistance.

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