Licensing Specialist 1-EC

State of Louisiana; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Louisiana Department of Education – Office of Early Childhood Operations seeks a Licensing Specialist to conduct monitoring inspections of licensed centers and certified home providers for compliance with Bulletin 137/139. The role requires following procedures, critical thinking, and risk-based decision making.

Expect duties include inspecting sites, investigating complaints, and reporting findings with actionable recommendations. Travel is required; work is in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience in hospital, nursing home, or day care center administration, early childhood development program regulation, social services, administrative services, or education.
• Six years of full-time work experience in any field plus two years of related experience.
• A bachelor's degree plus two years of related experience.
• An advanced degree plus one year of related experience.
• Experience substitution rules for education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Monitor early learning sites for compliance with Bulletin 137 or Bulletin 139.
• Ensure inspections are completed prior to the due date.
• Investigate complaints and incidents at early learning sites.
• Compile information from surveys and describe findings with recommendations.

Skills

Policy following

Judgment

Critical thinking

Professionalism

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree

Job description

About This Job

This position is located in Rapides Parish**

Office of Early Childhood Operations

At the Louisiana Department Of Education, our mission is to promote health and wellness by delivering compassionate and high-quality health services. We provide behavioral health support and counseling services to individuals and families across Louisiana, working every day to improve lives and strengthen communities.

Job Focus Areas

The Office of Early Childhood Operations is looking for a Licensing Specialist to conduct monitoring inspections of early learning sites (licensed centers and certified home providers) for compliance with Bulletin 137 and Bulletin 139.

Candidate Skills & Competencies

• Following Policies and Procedures: The ability to follow, reinforce, adapt, or develop policies and procedures to maintain compliance with federal and state legal requirements, State Civil Service rules, and organizational policies.
• Making Accurate Judgments: The ability to assess options, weigh risks, and make sound decisions using available information and logical reasoning.
• Thinking Critically: The ability to analyze information objectively, identify connections across sources, and form logical, well-supported conclusions.
• Displaying Professionalism: The ability to uphold workplace standards through consistent conduct, responsible communication, and consideration for others.
• Thinking Strategically: The ability to anticipate trends, understand context, and align actions with long-term priorities.

Minimum Qualifications

Five years of experience in hospital, nursing home, or day care center administration, early childhood development program regulation, social services, administrative services, or education; OR

Six years of full-time work experience in any field plus two years of experience in hospital, nursing home, or day care center administration, early childhood development program regulation, social services, administrative services, or education; OR

A bachelor's degree plus two years of experience in hospital, nursing home, or day care center administration, early childhood development program regulation, social services, administrative services, or education; OR

An advanced degree plus one year of experience in hospital, nursing home, or day care center administration, early childhood development program regulation, social services, administrative services, or education.

Experience Substitution

Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.

Necessary Special Requirements

• Possession of a current Louisiana driver's license at time of appointment.

This position requires the incumbent to travel.

Job Specification

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties And Other Information

Job Duties

• Monitor early learning sites (licensed centers and certified home providers) for compliance with Bulletin 137 or Bulletin 139
• Ensure inspections are completed prior to the requested due date
• Investigate complaints and incidents for early learning sites (licensed centers and certified home providers)
• Compile information derived from surveys, prepares reports on results of surveys, describes findings and need for improvements or revision of facility operations and formulate recommendations.

Position-Specific Details

Appointment Type: Probational or Promotional. The person hired for this position is expected to regularly report to the Baton Rouge office. Current permanent classified state employees may be required to accept a probationary appointment, if selected.

Career Progression: This position does not participate in a Career Progression Group

Work Schedule: Workdays are Monday - Friday; work hours will be determined.

Compensation: The salary offered will be determined based on qualifications and experience.

Note regarding the advertised pay range: The maximum amounts listed are the maximum salary amounts a person can make over their career and not the maximum amount we are allowed to pay a new hire.

Contact Information

Louisiana Department of Education – Human Resources

PO Box 96064

Baton Rouge, LA 70804

[e-mail]

Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.

Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.

As a State Employee, You Will Earn Competitive Pay, Choose From a Variety Of Benefits, And Have Access To a Great Professional Development Program:

• Insurance Coverage More information can be found at https://info.groupbenefits.org/
• Parental Leave – Up to six weeks paid parental leave
• Additional link for parental leave “More information can be found at https://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspx”

Holidays and Leave

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
• Mardi Gras,
• Good Friday,
• Memorial Day,
• Independence Day,
• Labor Day,
• Veteran's Day,
• Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
• Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor

State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.

Retirement

• Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (www.lasersonline.org). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
• Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (www.trsl.org),
• Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (www.lsers.net), among others