TRIBAL LICENSING SPECIALIST – PSELC

VACANCY ANN. #: STOI-25-107

TITLE:                       TRIBAL LICENSING SPECIALIST  

DEPARTMENT:      PSELC

LOCATION:              WELLPINIT, WA

STATUS:                  REGULAR, FULL-TIME

SALARY LEVEL:    $24.72 – $33.06 / PER HOUR

OPENING DATE:    NOVEMBER 17, 2025

CLOSING DATE:    DECEMBER 1, 2025

 

SUMMARY:
The Licensing Specialist will be responsible for inspecting, licensing, and monitoring child care centers, family day care homes, youth centers, and license-exempt providers receiving CCDF support on the reservation to ensure enforcement of child care regulations and the provision of quality child education development programs. The Licensing Specialist will coordinate monitoring of all state licensed providers receiving CCDF Subsidized Child Care in accordance with CCDF Policy.  They will coordinate with all relative/family/friend providers receiving subsidy within our service area.  Additionally, the Licensing Specialist will inspect, review; and monitor all Tribal sites for compliance with the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) regulations and requirements as necessary.

The licensing specialist provides the link between the provider and the organization in regard to the CACFP, CACFP At-Risk and SFSP. All duties are varied and require extensive program knowledge and considerable judgment. Decisions are made that affect a provider’s ability to participate, how much reimbursement is received and compliance with program regulations and requirements.

Employee will receive general supervision from the FCCAP Senior Manager and will be required to work with Tribal, State, and Federal government agencies and employees. Employees in this classification may be required to work evenings and/or weekends.  Employee will be required to travel extensively within the 477 service area.

• Any and all active investigations resulting in removal of any minor child under custody/guardianship of employee will result in immediate suspension. Following completion of active investigation, any findings of child abuse or neglect will result in immediate termination of employment.
• Any and all active investigations in regard to child abuse or neglect while on the job will result in immediate suspension of employment for the duration of investigation. Upon conclusion of the active investigation, all findings will determine whether employment status will be terminated.
• Employee is required to disclose any active investigations of crimes listed on the Secretary’s List of Crimes and Negative Actions (WAC 110-06-0120) during the interview/hiring process and throughout term of employment.

 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Inspects child care facilities including child care centers, family day care homes, youth centers, and license-exempt providers which reside within Tribal lands to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations and ensure that facilities meet existing health and safety codes.
• Monitors the licensing status and compliance of all CCDF mandates of any State licensed provider receiving subsidized child care services through the Spokane Tribal CCDF Program.
• Reviews the background and qualifications of prospective and current care givers, including education, work experience and background checks.
• Ensures State licensed facilities comply with all background check requirements and licensing qualifications of all employees.
• Develops and conducts workshops for all providers designed to improve the quality of educational programs and to enhance the ability and capability of facilities or homes to effectively meet the needs of the children being served; develops and provides training seminars and workshops for licensees.
• Evaluates child care centers, family day care homes, youth centers, and license-exempt providers to determine the age appropriateness of activities and curriculum.
• Ensures that facilities meet existing health and safety codes; investigates complaints concerning child care facilities.
• Evaluates provider applications and case history, if necessary; and recommends issuance or denial of licenses—may recommend an injunction or emergency closure order based on degree of risk to children; prepares and coordinates legal documents for administrative and court hearings and may appear as an expert witness.
• Develops and maintains an active outreach program designed to recruits new child care subsidy clients as well as licensees and facilities.
• Investigates and processes complaints regarding unlicensed facilities and assists them in becoming licensed or registered; cooperates with the appropriate outside agencies in cases where other actions may be warranted.
• Explains applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures to groups and other interested parties.
• Collaborates with the FCCAP Team to develop and maintain an onboarding system for new providers, clientele and employees at Tribal 477 early learning programs.
• Recommends and arranges for training for licensees in such areas as discipline techniques, facility management, attending to needs of special children and recognition of child abuse and neglect.
• Recommends corrective action plans to enforce compliance of facilities with applicable laws, codes and regulations.
• Reviews and evaluates the quality of early childhood education programs to ensure the use of developmentally appropriate programming and curricula.
• Provides technical assistance to providers to ensure age appropriate programming that meets the needs of children with disabilities and/or delays.
• Prepares reports, evaluations and responses to complaints and may assist in the preparation of a newsletter and other informational materials.
• Prepares and presents testimony for administrative hearings, trials or lawsuits.
• Uses automated technologies to record and report the results of inspections of child care centers, family day care homes, youth centers, and license-exempt providers.
• Assists child care providers in meeting licensing requirements and attaining optimum quality through on-going technical assistance, consultation and training.
• Provides assistance in developing policy, administrative rules, licensing procedures, and forms used for the child day care licensing process.
• Prepares licensing reports, interim evaluations, and consultative reports; conducts related correspondence; maintains records of regulatory activities.
• Participates in conferences, seminars, and workshops to share information about program services and licensing.
• Interviews personal references and conducts background investigations of applicants.
• Encourages the active participation with Early Achievers Quality Improvements for all programs and providers eligible to participate.
• Assist in development and implementation of Tribal Licensing Standards.
• Assist in development and maintenance of Provider and Client outreach, support services and basic needs support.
• Enforce all Federal, State, and Tribal regulations and policies with regards to 477 and Child Care Programs.
• Maintain all requirements as outlined in the Chapter 110-300 Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Foundational Quality Standards for Early Learning Programs and all additional regulations expressly incorporated therein.
• Provides on-site initial and annual training:
  • CACFP/SFSP policies and procedures
  • Nutritional requirements
  • Civil Rights
  • Additional training as assigned by OSPI
• Ongoing evaluation of provider training needs.
• Implement and document training as necessary.
• Ongoing technical assistance.
• Adapt training to individual needs of providers—based on education levels and learning styles.
• Ensure providers have knowledge of program requirements in order to be successful.
• Document all training and technical assistance in appropriate CNP file.
• Prepare for the on-site visit by checking records of claiming patterns and problems identified at previous visits.
• Follow sponsoring organizations review schedule and ensure all reviews are done in compliance with State and Federal time frames.
• Review performance of providers at on site reviews and by monitoring monthly menu review.
• Complete all aspects of the on-site review in accordance with Federal guidelines and State and CNP Policy and documents accordingly:
  •  Meal types and times
  •  Meal components
  •  Meal counts
  •  Menu review and paperwork documentation
  • 5 day reconciliation
  • Enrollment verification
  • Tiered review and/or free and reduced priced apps
  • CACFP/SFSP expenses
• Ensure foods are prepared and served following food safety guidelines and quality standards.
• Provide menu suggestions to encourage variety in foods and preparation methods that are consistent with healthy practices.
• Provide resource materials for menus, recipes, and meal planning.
• Review and document the content of the entire review. Corrective action if identified is documented and follow up action is planned.
• Ensure menu concerns are documented in CACFP file, and in consultant notebook for follow-up.
• Assist with Washington Integrated Nutrition System (WINS) management including applications, monitoring, calendars, budgets, etc. as necessary.
• Ensure adequate documentation is maintained physically and within the Tribal Assistance System (TAS).
• And any other duties necessary to help drive our Vision, fulfill our Mission, and abide by our Values.

 

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

 

• Considerable knowledge of the administration, organization, and operation of public and private child day care programs.
• Considerable knowledge of licensing rules, requirements, and regulations governing child day care and child nutrition program.
• Considerable knowledge of protective services programs for children and the referral processes to be used.
• Considerable knowledge of day care planning concepts and techniques.
• Considerable knowledge of early childhood development and behavior.
• Considerable knowledge of preschool and early-elementary education programs.
• Considerable knowledge of administrative hearing and court procedures.
• Considerable knowledge of information gathering and report writing methods and techniques.
• Considerable knowledge of Washington Administrative Code and Minimum Licensing Standards.
• Ability to work alone and as part of a team.
• Ability to provide professional consultation with regard to program operations, professional services, and staff development as it relates to child day care and its regulatory requirements.
• Ability to plan, develop, maintain and update Tribal Licensing Standards utilizing current state and federal standards in collaboration with the Child Development Manager and other parties thru community partnerships and professional networking.
• Ability to make independent decisions, prioritize assignments, and organize workloads.
• Ability to research and analyze data, and to prepare clear and concise reports of findings.
• Ability to investigate and handle abuse and neglect situations with effective timeliness to ensure the protection and safeguarding of residents or consumers of services.
• Ability to represent the department in administrative or court hearings.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with other agencies or other professional affiliates.
• Ability to maintain records and prepare reports and correspondence related to the work.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others.
• Ability to maintain favorable public relations and maintain positive rapport with all clientele.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Education: AA Degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Human Development, Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Health and Nutrition, or another field directly related to their job responsibilities with a minimum 45 college quarter credits from the list.  Or, equivalent credits from a four-year college.  Preference given for a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Experience: Two years of experience in working with children ages birth to 18 required.
• MUST have a valid Washington State Driver’s License and be Tribally insurable.
• Successful clearance of Criminal History and Background inquiry—Tribal, State and Federal.
• Any instances of PBC suspension will result in immediate suspension pending investigation.  Findings may result in termination.
• Successful clearance of National and State Sex Offender Registry; AND maintain clearance at all times. Additional checks will be utilized to determine retention.
• Successful clearance of National Child Abuse Registry and Neglect Data System; AND maintain clearance at all times.  Additional checks will be utilized to determine retention.
• Current and up-to-date immunizations including a current negative TB skin test, annual influenza vaccine, TDap in lieu of Tetanus vaccine, Hepatitis B Vaccination—preferred and required within one month of hire date.
• Biennial physical evaluation to assess ability to meet physical demands of position is required.
• Ability to lift and maneuver small children on an ongoing basis and the necessary physical dexterity to work with small children 30-50 lbs. on average (bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling, lifting, etc.).
• Employee must be willing to travel to all required trainings pertinent to position annually.
• Strong organizational skills.

• Current computer and technology skills.
• Positive interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of child development.

• Demonstrate strong work ethic and characteristics of cognitive empathy.
• Demonstrate an understanding, ability, personality, emotional stability, and physical health suited to meet the cultural, emotional, mental, physical, and social needs of the children in care.

 

CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

• Initial Basic STARS 30-Hour Training required within two weeks of start date, and ability to complete 20 hours as required on an annual basis.
• Ability to obtain the following certificates and licenses during the first week of employment or prior to if possible:
  • Blood Borne Pathogens
  • Food Handlers Certification
  • First Aid and CPR Certification Adult, Infant, and Child
• Any other requirements necessary to meet Spokane Tribe of Indians licensing standards; if not met upon hire, within first three months of hire date.
• CACFP Child Nutrition Professional within two years.
• CACFP Management Professional within four years preferred.
• Certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation preferred.

Employee will be required to maintain all certifications and keep them current.

 

MUST APPLY ON-LINE: https://spokanetribe.bamboohr.com/careers/487?source=aWQ9MTg%3D

 

*Indian Preference Applies – Indian Preference grants preference to any enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe.

*FBI Background – Positions involving regular contact with, or control over, Indian Children in accordance with the Federal Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act, Public Law 101-630

 

Confirmation receipt of on-line submission and interview status will be sent to the applicants e-mail address used when applying. Applicants are responsible to regularly monitor their e-mails.

 

Contact: Empero Corral HR Generalist, or Kammi Rosenbaum

509-458-6576 or 458-6527

E-mail: hrfrontdesk@spokanetribe.com

Applications must be received in the Human Resource Department no later than 4:30 p.m. on the closing date.

The Spokane Tribe reserves the right to hire according to its Indian Preference Policy

All Applicants are subject to a Pre-Employment Drug Test

All Positions with the Spokane tribe of Indians are subject to a 90-day orientation period