Licensing Specialist (Adams, Larimer, Weld, Broomfield, Douglas, Mesa, & Boulder Counties)

Salary : $58,872.00 Annually
Location : Denver, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: QAA 00162 5.22.2026
Department: Department of Early Childhood
Opening Date: 05/22/2026
Closing Date: 6/2/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Type of Announcement: This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information: Daulton View email address on click.appcast.io
Primary Physical Work Address: This position has been designated fully remote, as this role is expected to travel throughout the State of Colorado. Therefore, the primary work address will be the candidate's home address. For your reference, our office is located at: 710 S. Ash Street, Denver, CO 80246
How To Apply: Please submit an online application for this position at Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.


Department Information
STATE OF COLORADO RESIDENCY REQUIRED

NOTE: This job announcement will be used to fill multiple Licensing Specialist openings(QAA 00162 - QAA 00167 & QAA 00169 - QAA 00174)


This position will be servicing Adams, Larimer, Weld, Broomfield, Douglas, Mesa, & Boulder counties to cover caseloads and support child care licensing staff for critical and time constrained issues. For this reason, we encourage that you live within 50 miles of Adams, Larimer, Weld, Broomfield, Douglas, Mesa, & Boulder counties.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis is committed to building a Colorado For All, a place where everyone has an opportunity to succeed and live the Colorado way of life. Governor Polis is focused on lowering health care costs for hardworking Coloradans, transitioning the state to renewable energy sources, ensuring every Colorado child gets a quality education, and building an economy that works for everyone.
The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.
We offer a generous benefits package including:
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• State paid life insurance policy
• Choice of 2 retirement plans (defined benefit or defined contribution)
• Optional 401(k) and 457 plans
• State paid short-term disability coverage
• Additional optional life and disability plans
• Credit Union membership
• Training and professional development
To learn more about State of Colorado benefits visit:
This position is a fully remote position and will be expected to travel within the State of Colorado. The majority of this travel/work will take place in Adams, Larimer, Weld, Broomfield, Douglas, Mesa, & Boulder counties. **Please note - equipment provisioning and certain onboarding tasks will take place in person, in our Denver office, on the first day of employment.**
The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) ensures the delivery of a comprehensive, community-informed, data-driven, high-quality and equitable early childhood system that supports the care, education and well-being of all Colorado's young children, their families and early childhood professionals in all settings. CDEC provides access to collaborative, coordinated, quality early childhood programs and support to children, families, and early care professionals in an effort to best prepare Coloradans for future success. CDEC works with many partners, including parents, schools, child care providers, Early Childhood Councils, counties, Community Centered Boards, early intervention service providers, family resources centers, county human services, county public health, businesses, community organizations, and other stakeholders to provide high-quality early childhood and family support programs.

The Division of Early Learning Licensing and Administration (DELLA) is the State's lead agency in planning and implementing public child care policy. In addition, the Division is responsible for the licensing and monitoring of child care facilities. DELLA ensures the health and safety of children in less-than-24-hour licensed (or license-exempt) early care and education environments by promulgating regulations for child care that ensure minimum standards for the health and safety of facilities. The Division accomplishes this through the annual inspection and monitoring of child care facilities, consultation and coaching for early care and learning professionals, and collaborating with early care and learning providers, child care associations, Early Childhood Councils, local governments, and county agencies, advocates, and other important stakeholders.

Description of Job
What you'll be doing:
The Office of Early Childhood welcomes your interest in the Licensing Specialist position. This position exists to inspect facilities and authorize the issuance of a license for various types of less than 24 hour child care facilities after compliance with rules and regulations has been verified, investigate complaints concerning children in care, and document facts on licensees for possible court action in order to assure safety of children in out of home settings.
Major job duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Review and evaluate applications, supporting documents, including but not limited to criminal records, child abuse and neglect records, as well as health, fire, building, and zoning department reports.
• Evaluate facility's programs through the analysis of documents such as policies and procedures, behavior management and discipline, staff qualifications, medical administration, floor plans and plans for educational, community, and recreational activities.
• The application and program analysis determines whether a licensing inspection can be conducted or if a corrected action plan is required prior to an on-site inspection.
• Determine from the application and program analysis whether a licensing inspection can be conducted or if a corrected action plan is required prior to an on-site inspection.
• Appropriately identify which of 8 separate rule sets to apply to programs, based on the programs operation, policies and ages of children served.
• Appropriately apply statutes related to the investigations and inspections of six different license types.
• Inspect, monitor, and evaluate less-than-24-hour child care facilities for compliance with laws and regulations prior to the business operating.
• Physically inspect facility for health, safety, and program standards and interview administrative staff to determine qualifications and ability to provide child care.
• Investigate complaints and stage II investigations of inappropriate treatment and care of children, inadequate supervision, inappropriate discipline or non-compliance with rules and regulations by interviewing staff, parents or children, observing program operation and review of facility records.
• Write Report of Inspection for every inspection using Department approved Standard Operating Procedures.
• Complete records and reports necessary to issue licenses and ensure facility's compliance with laws and regulations.
• Enter required daily inspection information into Salesforce. Enter information in CCCLS as needed.
• Process all Report of Inspection Responses to ensure all violations have been corrected and scanned into Illinx.
• Log into Trails for alerts and track Trails alerts in Salesforce.
• Community outreach by consultation for the continued professionalism of child care.
• Interpret rules and regulations to the child care community, by training and consultation regarding the skills needed to deliver child care; via telephone, participation in community meetings, acting as a speaker or participant in workshops, and on-site consultations.
• Collaborate with local child care associations and other professionals.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Class Code & Classification Description
(H1G3XX)
II
Minimum Qualifications:

Experience & Education:

Two years of professional experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position, including human or social services and early childhood programs.

AND
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to Human Services, Early Childhood Education, or a closely related field.

Experience Only

Six years of professional experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position, including human or social services and early childhood programs.

Substitutions:

• Additional appropriate experience will substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Please note: The required experience must be substantiated within the work experience section of your application and in the supplemental questions. Your resume will not be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications; only the work experience section and supplemental questions of your application will be reviewed to determine this. "See Resume" statements on the application will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience conducting inspections.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Child Care Licensing Act, child care licensing system rules and regulations, policies and practices, and child care licensing best practice standards.
• Demonstrated experience researching, analyzing, and interpreting the law (State and Federal), constitutions, statutes, rules, applicable case law, the rules of Civil Procedure, the Rules of Evidence, and policy to advise management in developing sound legal strategies.
• Ability to effectively engage people, organizations and partners in developing goals.

Highly Desired:

• Ability to effectively transmit ideas, instructions and information through clear and concise written and verbal communication methods.
• Demonstrated experience in adverse licensing for child care facilities.
• Proficient computer skills.
• Ability to communicate and work with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Investigative practices/techniques.
• Knowledge of child care licensing principles.
• Time Management.
• De-escalation techniques for volatile situations.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Travel as needed to cover caseloads and support child care licensing staff; while a driver's license is not required, the candidate must be able to travel and have reliable transportation
• Applicants must pass a thorough background check & a motor vehicle records check prior to employment.
• Applicants must live within 50 miles of the areas serviced.
• Employees who have been disciplinary terminated, resigned in lieu of disciplinary termination, or negotiated their termination from the State of Colorado must disclose this information on the application.

DEFINITION OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Work that involves exercising discretion, analytical skill, judgment, and personal accountability, and responsibility for creating, developing, integrating, applying, and sharing an organized body of knowledge that characteristically is uniquely acquired through an intense education or training regimen at a recognized college or university; equivalent to the curriculum requirements for a bachelor's or higher degree with major study in or pertinent to the specialized field; and continuously studied to explore, extend, and use additional discoveries, interpretations, and application and to improve data, materials, equipment, applications and methods.
APPEAL RIGHTS:

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.
An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (View email address on click.appcast.io), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed View phone number on click.appcast.io) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department's action.
For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at View phone number on click.appcast.io; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

Supplemental Information
How to Apply (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)
Please note that ONLY your State of Colorado job application will be reviewed during the initial screening; if you submit a resume and cover letter, they will be reviewed in later stages of the selection process. Therefore, it is paramount that you clearly describe all your relevant experience on the application itself. Applications left blank or marked "SEE RESUME" will not be considered.

Complete Applications must include the following documents:

1. A complete CDEC Application for Announced Vacancy (please submit online using the green 'APPLY' button at the top of this announcement)
2. A complete Supplemental Questionnaire (The questionnaire is part of the online application. You will be prompted to answer them as you are completing your online application.)
3. If you are using education to qualify, a copy of your official or unofficial transcript showing that your degree has been conferred and the name of your school, or your NACES accreditation. Please submit this as an attachment to your online application.
4. If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214. Please submit this as an attachment to your online application.
5. A resume.

Your application will be reviewed against the minimum qualifications for the position. If your application demonstrates that you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be invited to the comparative analysis process, which is described below

Comparative Analysis Process

The comparative analysis process will consist primarily of a review of applications against the minimum and preferred qualifications of this position. Applications will be reviewed in comparison to all others in the applicant pool in order to identify a top group of candidates who may be invited for a final interview. Depending on the size of the applicant pool, additional selection processes may be utilized to identify a top group of candidates. Applicants will be notified of their status via email.


Failure to submit properly completed documents by the closing date will result in your application being rejected.
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Transfer, Non-Disciplinary Demotion or Reinstatement
If you believe that you are eligible to be considered as a transfer, non-disciplinary demotion, or reinstatement to this vacancy, you must submit a completed application following the directions in this job announcement and you will be included in the selection process along with other qualified applicants. If you are the finalist for this position after the selection process, Human Resources will confirm your eligibility to be appointed as a transfer, non-disciplinary demotion, or reinstatement applicant.


ADAAA Accommodations :
The Colorado Department of Early Childhood is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to the talent acquisition specialist: us
The Department does not offer sponsored visas for employment purposes.
Technical Assistance
If you experience difficulty in uploading or attaching documents to your online application, or for any other technical difficulties, call NEOGOV technical support at View phone number on click.appcast.io anytime between 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (Pacific Time).
The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information:


Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.
01


All positions at the Department require that potential employees, working with vulnerable persons, undergo a thorough background check, drug, screening, and fingerprinting. As a condition of employment, you are required to submit to pre-employment screening if offered the position. Are you willing to meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

02


As a condition of employment, this position requires the candidate to travel throughout the State to conduct inspections. Please confirm you have reliable transportation and can meet this requirement.

• Yes
• No

03


Are you willing to accept an offer within the posted salary range?

• Yes
• No

04


Former state employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application. In the space below, please provide an explanation as to why the prior termination or resignation should NOT disqualify your application from the current position. Otherwise, please list N/A.
05


If you are a current or previous State of Colorado employee, please provide your EID (employee identification number will start with 99....), and please list your dates of employment and classifications for all State of Colorado Departments or institutes of Higher Education for which you have worked. Otherwise please type "N/A"
06


This position has been designated as fully remote. Therefore, space in a state facility will not be provided. The designated work location will be listed as the employee's home address. The selected employee is required to have an appropriate workspace in their home and bear the expense of having adequate internet service, utilities, and office furniture. Do you understand this expectation and are you willing to meet this requirement? (Please write "YES" in the space below in order to continue in the selection process.)
07


This position supports providers and programs in Adams, Larimer, Weld, Broomfield, Mesa, & Boulder Counties. The person in this role is encouraged to live in this area or in a neighboring county (within 50 miles) to the areas served as this person would need to be able to visit these areas with limited notice. Are you able to meet these requirements? (Please write "YES" in the space below in order to continue in the selection process.)
08


Please select which counties(y) you are in work in (please refer to question #7, so that we can ensure a reasonable response time to emergent situations).

• Adams
• Boulder
• Broomfield
• Douglas
• Larimer
• Mesa
• Weld

09


List any additional relevant experience you would like us to consider in determining if you meet the qualifications of this position. Please, include the months and years relevant to the experience you describe.
10


Outline your professional experience in the Early Childhood field, specifically detailing how it has provided you with an understanding of early childhood program standards or regulatory requirements.
11


Provide an example of your experience with the adverse licensing process for child care facilities, including how you applied the Child Care Licensing Act and relevant rules to support a resolution.
12


Describe your experience and knowledge of licensing investigative practices utilized in Child Care Licensing or a related regulatory field.
13


Detail a situation where you had to work with stakeholders or partners in a regulatory capacity, and explain how you used communication or de-escalation techniques to effectively engage them toward compliance or a shared goal.
14


Using a specific example, describe your time management system for prioritizing and completing a heavy caseload or multiple competing tasks and deadlines.
Required Question