Regulatory Compliance Specialist

We are seeking a dedicated Foster Care Licensing Specialist to independently conduct on-site monitoring visits and desk audits of child welfare and education programs. This role ensures compliance with Ohio Revised Code (ORC) and Ohio Administrative Code (OAC), focusing on health, safety, and developmentally appropriate care for children. This position involves travel to home-, community-, school-based, and facility settings across the state.

Key Responsibilities

Conduct on-site inspections (indoor/outdoor), observe staff-child interactions, interview current/former youth, staff, and community members, monitor for compliance and quality standards and desk audits of child welfare programs, and certified child residential centers.

Identify non-compliance issues and best practices; make recommendations for licensure, certification, or enforcement action s; provide legal testimony as needed.

Prepare detailed reports and summaries of findings using electronic systems.

Meet with agencies and caregivers to review violations, clarify regulations, and provide technical assistance for achieving compliance.

Maintain confidential records for both licensed and unlicensed facilities.

Analyze field data to inform the development and revision of departmental policies, procedures, and regulations.

Participate in or conduct training sessions for childcare providers and welfare s taff; support agencies in meeting standards.

Coordinate with state, county, and community partners to exchange regulatory information and support aligned service delivery. Pay Information

Unless required by legislation or union contract, starting salary will be step 1 of the salary range associated with this position. New hires advance to the next step in the range after 6 months and annually thereafter. Based on collective bargaining and legislative activity, there may be cost of living increases awarded annually. Additional longevity supplements begin after 5 years. The current wage progression for this position is in the table below.

Months of Employment

At Hire

6 months

18 months

30 months

42 months

54 Months

66 Months

78 Months

Pay Range

1199/12

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

Hourly

$31.74

$33.35

$34.96

$36.65

$38.49

$40.32

$42.29

$44.39

Annual

$66,019

$69,368

$72,717

$76,232

$80,059

$83,866

$87,963

$92,331

Background Check Information

The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

Status of posted positions

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At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website ! Our benefits package includes:

Medical Coverage

Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period .

Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year

Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave

Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)

Retirement systems including Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) & Optional Deferred Compensation ( Ohio Deferred Compensation )

Qualifications

24 mos. exp. working in school, community, &/or home-based early care & education settings or child welfare settings (experience commensurate with program area to be assigned per approved Position Description on file); 6 mos. trg. or 6 mos. exp. in agency, state &/or federal laws, rules, standards & regulations governing early care & education &/or child welfare programs (e.g., staffing, management, licensure, certification & operation of school, community, or home-based early care & education settings &/or child welfare settings); 6 mos. trg. or 6 mos. exp. in inspection & investigation techniques pertinent to evaluating compliance (i.e., early care & education &/or child welfare programs, public/private agencies, caregivers & operations); valid driver's license.

-Or completion of undergraduate core program in early childhood/human development, social & behavioral sciences or related field; 6 mos. trg. or 6 mos. exp. in agency, state &/or federal laws, rules, standards & regulations governing early care & education &/or child welfare programs (e.g., staffing, management, licensure, certification & operation of school, community, or home-based early care & education settings &/or public/private child welfare settings); 6 mos. trg. or 6 mos. exp. in inspection & investigation techniques pertinent to evaluating compliance (i.e., early care & education &/or child welfare programs, public/private agencies, caregivers, & operations); valid driver's license.

-Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.

Note: Applicants for positions in the Department of Children & Youth (early care & education licensing) must also meet one of the trainer requirements cited in Administrative Rules 5101:2-12-10 or 5101:2-13-10.