LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER I

California Department of Social Services; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 993,000 - 1,234,000; Full time

Job summary

California Department of Social Services seeks a Licensing Program Manager I to lead the Child Care Centralized Application Bureau. Based in CA, you will supervise Licensing Program Analysts, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive training and quality assurance across regional offices.

You will recruit, mentor staff, review investigations and reports, and collaborate with external agencies to uphold licensing standards. Travel is required; this is a full-time permanent role in a hybrid setting.

Qualifications

• Oversee and manage a unit of Licensing Program Analysts across multiple regional offices.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and guidance to staff to support processing of child care applications.
• Conduct quality assurance reviews and supervise training initiatives.
• Review complaint investigations and monthly intake/production reports.
• Represent the division with other agencies and participate in staff recruitment and hiring decisions.
• Travel as required to support regional operations.

Skills

Staff Leadership

Training & Coaching

Regulatory Compliance

Job description

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-532767
Position #(s): 800-861-8222-910
Working Title: Licensing Program Manager I (LPM I)
Classification: LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER I
$7,416.00 - $9,213.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions: 1
Work Location: United States
Telework: Hybrid
Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of fellow Californians while achieving your career goals? Do you set high standards for yourself and enjoy a collaborative and challenging work environment? The mission of the California Department of Social Services is to serve, protect, and support the people of California experiencing need in ways that empower wellbeing and disrupt systemic inequities. The vision of the California Department of Social Services is to provide quality services with a commitment to an inclusive, diverse, and equitable California where all people can thrive.

It is the mission of the Community Care Licensing Division to promote the health, safety, and quality of life of each person in community care through the administration of an effective, collaborative regulatory enforcement system.

The core mission of the Child Care Program is to ensure the health and safety of children in care. The Child Care Program strives to provide preventive, protective, and quality services to children in care by ensuring that licensed facilities meet established health and safety standards through monitoring facilities, providing technical assistance, and establishing partnerships with providers, parents, and the child care community.

CDSS Guiding Principles

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Accessibility. Belonging.

We ensure opportunities for everyone to participate in a meaningful way in fulfilling the mission and vision of CDSS.

Community Engagement

We prioritize the lived experiences of community members as a driving force behind the creation, implementation, desired impact, or change of programs and services.

Empowerment

We engage, operate, and advocate from the understanding that each community and person has desires and capabilities to lead in their own life.

Quality Services

We provide services that align intent and impact by ensuring that they are accessible, community driven, interconnected, and continuously improved.

Data Defined Outcomes

We equitably collect and analyze data, take data-driven action, and measure outcomes relevant to those we serve, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Job Description And Duties

Under the supervision of a Licensing Program Manager II, the Licensing Program Manager I (LPM I) for the Child Care Centralized Application Bureau (CAB) will be based in one of the regional offices located in El Segundo, Monterey Park or Palmdale. The LPM I is responsible for overseeing and managing a unit of Licensing Program Analysts across multiple regional offices within an assigned geographic territory, ensuring compliance with licensing regulations, monitoring workflow, and providing leadership and guidance to staff to support the effective processing of child care applications. The CAB LPM performs quality assurance reviews, plans and conducts individual and group training, reviews complaint investigations, provides technical and supervisory direction in the office and the field, and reviews monthly intake and production reports. The LPM I may act as the Division representative with other agencies, recruit and hire new staff, meet with facility representatives, and recommend administrative actions against noncompliance licensees. The LPM I supports the office in maintaining CCLD Policies and Procedures. Must be able to travel.

Subject to personnel approval and SROA/Surplus policies.

The Department of Social Services does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

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You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Special Requirements

Please Note: A Statement of Qualifications or Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted along with your application to be considered for this position. Applications submitted without an SOQ may be disqualified for this position.

Do not include any confidential information on any documents (i.e., application, resume, or transcripts) you submit for this job vacancy. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents include but is not limited to: Social Security Number (SSN), birthday and/or age, photos, student/other ID number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, exam results, LEAP status, and marital status. Confidential information submitted via a CalCareer Account (electronic application) is automatically redacted upon submission.

Please include a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) with your application for the hiring manager’s review. The SOQ will be your first interview for this position. If your qualifications are competitive, you will be invited to an on-site interview.

The SOQ should be no longer than two pages, single-spaced, in 12-point font and in question and answer format. Please provide answers to the following questions to the best of your ability:

• Please describe how your experience best qualifies you for this position.
• As a Licensing Program Manager, you are expected to maintain a high-level of quality, quantity, and timely submissions for your own work as well as your staff’s work. Explain how you would accomplish this and remain accountable to management?
• Tell us about your experience working with reluctant staff and how you gained their cooperation to complete a task.

A notation or reference to other materials such as resumes or applications will not be considered and will not substitute for the SOQ. Failure to answer the questions required in the SOQ may result in elimination from the hiring process.

This position is designated under the Conflict of Interest Code.

This position is subject to fingerprinting clearance by the Department of Justice.

You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD 678). You may be disqualified from the hiring and selection process if the employment history is not complete. Resumes will not take the place of employment history.

If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts for verification. If selected, you may be required to provide official transcripts at the time of hire.

Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview, but they must provide proof of residence in California prior to being eligible for appointment.

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

Final Filing Date: 10/6/2026

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Required Application Package Documents

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications - (SOQ) Please see the Special Requirements section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SOQ submission.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.