Child Care Licensor (SHPC2) - Olympia

Our vision is to ensure that “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy, thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community.”

Job Title: Child Care Licensor (SHPC2) Location: Olympia, WA – Flexible/Hybrid Closes: Monday, September 28th, 2026 Salary: $64,512 - $86,688 Annually

The mission of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is to work alongside Washington’s vulnerable children, youth, and families to foster safety, stability, and better outcomes by strengthening opportunities, connections, and community.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is accepting applications for a Non-Permanent Social and Health Program Consultant 2 (SHPC2) within the Licensing Division, Region 6, based in Olympia, WA. In this role, you will support Child Care and Early Learning Services by administering uniform licensing procedures according to RCWs, WACs, and DCYF policies for child care centers, school-age programs, and family home child care environments. Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity: As a Non-Permanent SHPC2 in the Child Care Licensing Division, you will play a vital support role for both Region 6 and Region 5. While housed in the Olympia office, you will not carry an independent caseload. Instead, you will primarily assist and support the existing licensors. You may also be asked to support additional work throughout Region 5 (Tacoma offices) and Region 6 (including Vancouver) based on team needs and service demands. This position requires flexibility, strong collaboration, and the ability to adapt quickly to shifting priorities to ensure continuity of licensing services for children, families, and early learning providers. A flexible hybrid work schedule allows you to work from home, in the field, and from the Olympia office, and you may represent the Department in administrative hearings when needed. This meaningful, community-focused work ensures high-quality, safe, and accessible child care environments across multiple counties during a period of critical staffing need.

Some of what you'll do:

• Conduct initial and annual evaluations of child care and early learning environments, including family home child care, child care centers, and school-age programs, to determine compliance with WAC 110 and DCYF policies and procedures; assess safety, health, developmental appropriateness, and cultural relevancy of services.
• Verify licensing qualifications in MERIT for applicants, licensees, family members, and staff; coordinate background clearance processes in accordance with WAC 110 and DCYF Background Check Rules.
• Complete all licensing applications within required timeframes per RCW 43.216.305; submit initial, non-expiring, and probationary licenses and certifications to the Child Care Licensing Supervisor to meet the 90-day deadline.
• Maintain accurate and current records in the licensing management system; document licensing activities and observation notes in an objective, factual, and timely manner per DCYF Child Care policies and procedures.
• Evaluate complaints concerning licensed and unlicensed early learning providers; collaborate with DCYF Licensing Division and Child Protective Services investigative units; initiate adverse actions when necessary in consultation with the supervisor.
• Appear and provide testimony as the Department's representative at administrative hearings concerning licensing adverse actions; prepare materials to substantiate the Department's position.
• Review requests for variances and waivers; recommend approval or denial per DCYF Child Care policy and procedure.
• Provide technical assistance and consultation to early learning providers on licensing regulations and Early Achievers requirements; support enrollment, orientation, and training activities.
• Participate in community outreach and education for parents and community partners on child care licensing and Early Achievers.
• Establish and maintain provider files in accordance with DCYF's agency-specific schedule and records retention policies.

Required Qualifications:

• An equivalent combination of education and/or experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs totaling four (4) years.

OR

• One (1) year of experience as a Social and Health Program Consultant 1.

OR

• A master's degree (or higher) in early childhood education, social work, health or social science, public administration, or a related field; AND two (2) years of professional experience planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health or chemical dependency treatment services programs.

OR

• A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, social work, health or social science, public administration, or a related field; AND three (3) years of professional experience planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health or chemical dependency treatment services programs.

AND• The ability to take action to learn and grow.

• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Experience may include professional-level child care licensing or early childhood education in a licensed or formal early childhood setting.

Note: A degree in Social Work must be from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. College-level coursework may substitute for degree type if 30 semester or 45 quarter credits are in social services or child development disciplines.

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• Demonstrated history of and/or ability for effective and clear communication with all levels including management, peers, clients, and the public.
• Demonstrated history of and/or ability for explaining in writing and verbally, complex technical and regulatory information in a clear and concise non-threatening but factual manner to clients and the public of diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Experience in monitoring or overseeing licensed child care, Head Start or ECEAP performance standards.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of child development; risk assessment and decision making.
• Demonstrated ability to research and apply law and regulations.
• Demonstrated interviewing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to serve the role of expert representative in both court proceedings and multi-disciplinary team service delivery.
• Demonstrated knowledge of group work and group dynamics.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current literature on early care and education practices as well as concepts of community organization as applied to the development of community resources.
• Demonstrated ability to deduce potential impacts of conditions or assess risk.
• Demonstrated skills in Microsoft Office products and the use of mobile computing devices.

How do I apply? In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile in order to be considered for this position:

• College Transcripts -If applicable. (An unofficial copy is acceptable for applying).

• Cover Letter (describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position).

• Resume

Supplemental Information: The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving. We invite all candidates to join us in our goal to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Incumbent must hold a valid driver's license when operating a state or privately-owned vehicle on official state business.

Degrees must be obtained from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or a foreign equivalent verified by a NACES-approved organization at naces.org. Foreign Equivalency certification must be attached to the application for degrees obtained outside the U.S.

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/

Benefits eligibility for this position may be different than what’s listed in the benefits tab of this recruitment announcement. For more information on employee benefits eligibility, visit: Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB).

If you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact DCYF Recruiter. If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email [email protected] needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at360-664-1960.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, NGB Form 22, or Predischarge Certification (issued not more than 120 days prior to End of Term of Service (ETS) by date of submission). If claiming preference based on Predischarge Certification, the individual will be required to provide their official discharge documentation, such as a DD Form 214, NGB Form 22, or equivalent, within 30 days after the date of discharge. Please blackout (redact) the social security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veterans’ Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

DCYF participates in the federal E-Verify program. The selected candidate must provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States, consistent with E-Verify requirements, on their first day of employment.

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