Licensing Specialist

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Job Posting closes: April 29th, 2026

Required documents uploaded by: April 29th, 2026

This position will require frequent travel within Chautauqua, Elk, Montgomery, Wilson, Woodson, Allen, Anderson and Linn Counties. Preference will be given to applicants who reside in one of these counties.

Kansas Department of Health and Environment:

Our agency is led by Secretary Janet Stanek, who was appointed by Gov. Kelly in Dec 2021. KDHE is comprised of three divisions: Public Health, Environment, and Health Care Finance (which includes the State’s Medicaid program, KanCare). We are the only agency in the nation to have these three entities under one roof which allows us to take a holistic approach to improving and protecting the health and well-being of all Kansans.

Verification of identity and employment eligibility to work in the United States is required by federal law. For a list of acceptable documents that establish these criteria, please refer to the federal Form I-9. KDHE does not provide sponsorships for this position.

E-Verify: Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For additional information regarding E-Verify, please click here. For additional information regarding Immigrant and Employee Rights (IER) please click here.

http://www.kdhe.ks.gov/

About the Position

• Who can apply: Anyone (External).
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm (Flexible schedules available)
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes
• Sponsorship: KDHE does not provide sponsorship for this position.

Compensation:

• Hourly Pay Range: $20.57
• Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits

Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage

Sick & Vacation leave

Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave

Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)

Fitness Centers in select locations

Employee discounts with the STAR Program

Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary:

The position (K0242894)

Evaluate compliance with state laws and regulations within assigned counties by conducting onsite initial, annual, and compliance surveys in licensed child care facilities. Interpret the application of regulations in each facility's unique environment. Educate childcare providers on the rationale behind regulation and provide consultation and technical assistance. Encourage quality improvement through the use of best practice.

During the pre-application phase: Conduct mandatory licensing orientation for each new applicant in one of two ways; face-to-face (individual or group setting) or virtually. Provide ongoing consultation during the application process. Review floor plans and provide site approval for new commercial facilities.

Serve as the local expert in child care licensing. Provide support and consultation to child care providers regarding compliance with regulations and laws. This requires a considerable amount of patience, independent judgment, and extensive knowledge of the program, regulations, and guidelines which tend to be technical in nature, requiring careful interpretation and application. Contact the Child Care Licensing team for regulatory clarification regarding new or complex circumstances.

Partner and work at the community level to support the availability of quality child care. Communicate with health departments, childcare provider organizations, partner agencies, childcare coalitions/committees, and the public. Maintain goodwill and gain cooperation for agency programs with all involved entities. Obtain an understanding of regional and community needs in child care services and analyze barriers to establishing local facilities. Make recommendations to the supervisor for new or revised programs, standards, and regulations based on your observations.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

Investigate illegal care and regulatory complaints. Participate with partnering agencies in conducting joint complaint investigations such as DCF or law enforcement. Interview providers and potential witnesses. Write detailed narratives of experiences while conducting investigations. May assist other licensing specialists with difficult child care complaint investigations as assigned by the program. Testify as an expert witness at administrative hearings. Contact the Child Care Licensing team for regulatory clarification regarding new or complex circumstances.

Manage a caseload prioritizing work to make the best use of time and resources. Coordinate the division or collaboration of surveys with peers as needed. Record data necessary for reporting to the federal Office of Child Care. Record timelines of completed work that is satisfactory and meets the statutory mandates.

Qualifications

• Education:
  • High School, GED
• Licensing & Certification:
  • Valid Driver's License - Incumbent is required to have and maintain a valid driver's license when operating a state vehicle, a private vehicle, or a rental vehicle for the benefit of the State.
• Minimum Qualifications:
  • Two years of experience in services to young children including exposure to regulated childcare facilities.
  • Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access
  • Proofreading, editing, attention to detail
  • Caseload management - efficient, self-motivated
  • Communication - verbal/written, good listener
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Twelve credit hours in Early Childhood Education coursework from an accredited source
  • Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education
  • Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education, Social Work, Nursing, or related field
  • Leadership - decision-making, sound judgement, accountability
  • Cultural competence - awareness, respect
  • Interpersonal - patience, ability to connect with others
  • Understanding of early childhood education principals
  • Understanding of regulatory theory and application
• Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:
  • Resides in one of the counties assigned for field work or resides in a county adjacent to assigned counties.
  • Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas. Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a State job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer. A Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law. If you have a missing tax return(s) or you owe taxes to the State of Kansas, please know that the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you. The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive a Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas. The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at 785-296-3199. Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions

Recruiter Contact Information

Name: Kyle Sanders

Email: kyle.sanders@ks.gov

Mailing Address: 1000 SW Jackson St. Suite 580 Topeka, KS 66612

Job Application Process

• First Sign in or register as a New User.
• Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.
  • Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.
• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
  • Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page
  • Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions"

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete

Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page

Transcripts

DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents”

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to (785)296-7712, scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Landon State Office Building
900 SW Jackson, Rm 401
Topeka, KS 66612

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.